Standards and Quality Infrastructure

Over the last 20 years, there has been a drive towards tariff reduction under the auspices of the WTO. As a result, there has been a 15% reduction in applied tariffs, resulting in the current average tariff of 9% applied by WTO members. Given the substantial reduction in tariffs, focus in trade facilitation has now shifted to non-tariff measures that impede trade, and in many cases, have a higher impact than the tariffs. Non-tariff measures include discriminatory regulations, procedures and fees that are sometimes used in a protectionist manner. There is also widespread use of quality parameters (also referred to as technical barriers to trade), that go beyond the legitimate requirements, and have the impact of impeding trade. These measures include standards, product specifications such as product characteristics, production methods, packaging or labelling, and related processes that are used to verify compliance. This programme aims to create an environment that supports compliance to Standards and Technical Regulations, without necessarily creating additional barriers to trade. Its aim is to enhance the capacity of regulatory agencies at the national levels, such as National Bureaux of Standards (NSBs), Food and Drug Agencies (FDAs), and other affiliate agencies, to enforce compliance to Standards and Technical Regulations, while facilitating trade. The programme also seeks to increase product, process and system certification for firms and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a means to demonstrate compliance to voluntary and compulsory standards and technical regulations. Regionally, the programme will support cooperation in harmonization, mutual recognition and equivalence of technical regulations to ease cross-border trade in goods. This will be through regional interventions to address country-specific requirements such as testing, labelling and certification. In summary, the programme interventions will: 1. Increase regulatory coordination at the regional and international level to reduce multiplicity of mandatory quality requirements. 2. Improve the capacity of firms and SMEs to comply with Standards and Technical Regulations for relevant markets 3. Enhance the capacity of regulatory agencies (NSBs, FDAs and affiliate agencies) to enforce compliance to set Standards and Technical Regulations