Notifications: Standard Specifications/Regulations (full text)

PSQCA; National Enquiry Point for WTO provide the following services on TBT related issues on Standards & Technical Regulations.

-- Notify the WTO on the Technical Regulations enforced in Pakistan in relations to imports in Pakistan.

-- Disseminate TBT Notifications on Regulations enforced in foreign countries among the local trade community through ..

Technical regulations and industrial standards are important, but they vary from country to country. Having too many different standards make life difficult for manufacturers/producers and importers/exporters. If the standard specifications are harmonized, do not create un-necessary obstacles to trade.

The Agreement on Techical Barriers to Trade (TBT) ensure that regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures do not create un-necessary obstacles. The agreement recognizes countries' rights to adopt the standards they consider appropriate for the protection of the environment or to meet other consumer interests.

Moreover, to prevent too much diversity, the agreement encourages countries to use international standards where these are appropriate, but it does not require them to change their levels of protection as a result. The agreement sets out a code of good practice for the preparation, adoption and application of standards by Central Government Bodies. It also includes provisions describing how local government and non-governmental bodies should apply their own regulations - normaly they should use the same principles as pply to Central Government.

The agreement says the procedure used to decide whether a product conforms with national standards have to be fair and equitable. It discourages any methods that would give domestically produced goods an unfair advantage. The agreement also encourages countries to recognize each other's testing procedures. A product can be assessed to see if it meets the importing country's standards through testing in the country where it is made.

Manufacturers/Producers, Importers/Exporters needs to know the latest standards and their prospective markets.