Addressing tensions and avoiding disputes: Specific trade concerns in the TBT Committee

Arbeitspapier

Most specific trade concerns (STCs), which are raised before the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Committee), disappear from the TBT Committee's meeting agendas without escalating into formal disputes. At the same time, a relatively small number of TBT-related disputes have been subject to the WTO dispute settlement procedures. By examining the practice of raising STCs and the relationship between STCs and disputes, the paper emphasises the role of STCs as a trade tension resolution mechanism. It argues that the STC mechanism is a viable alternative to the currently overburdened WTO dispute settlement system. The paper also suggests ways to strengthen the STC mechanism of the TBT Committee through dividing TBT Committee meetings into thematic sessions, adopting mediation procedures and reporting on STC resolutions. Further, it underscores the importance of increasing transparency and promoting good regulatory practice in avoiding disputes.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: WTO Staff Working Paper ; No. ERSD-2018-11

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations ; International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations ; International Institutional Arrangements ; International Law ; Information and Product Quality; Standardization and Compatibility
• Subject: specific trade concerns ; technical barriers to trade ; TBT Agreement ; TBT Committee ; trade disputes

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Holzer, Kateryna
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): World Trade Organization (WTO)
• (where): Geneva
• (when): 2018

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.30875/09839801-en
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/187445
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET