The Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade within the World Trade Organization (WTO – TBT Committee) recently held its work in Geneva. The meeting takes place once a year, during which trade issues directly related to the implementation of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures in accordance with the principles of the WTO TBT Agreement are examined and resolved so that they do not create barriers.

At the meeting, the delegation of the Republic of Moldova was represented by Mrs. Elena Craveț, the Delegate of the Republic of Moldova to the WTO within the Permanent Mission of Moldova in Geneva, Mr. Andrian Bunduc, the deputy director of the Moldovan Standardization Institute and Mrs. Mihaela Verdeș, ISM office manager. The event was a good opportunity to learn about the practical issues that countries face during the implementation of the TBT Agreement, including through the discussion on the “STC” cases.

During the work of the Committee, the member countries reported on the activities undertaken related to the new technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures that are managed by the respective Committee. At the same time, during the sessions, more than 88 STС were addressed – specific cases regarding the concerns registered by the member countries in the context of the implementation of the TBT Agreement.

We recall that the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) aims to ensure that technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures are non-discriminatory and do not create unnecessary barriers to trade. At the same time, it recognizes the right of WTO members to implement measures to achieve legitimate policy objectives, such as the protection of human health and safety or the protection of the environment. The TBT Agreement encourages members to base their measures on international standards as a means of facilitating trade. Through its transparency provisions, it also aims to create a predictable business environment.