Reaffirms WTO Obligations to Recognize International Standards based upon the Principles Embodied in their Development Process

In a recent communiqué to the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) sought to counter any confusion or misperceptions concerning the implementation and obligations of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) with regard to international standards development. 

USTR’s action flatly rejects assertions that standards developed by specific international standards-setting bodies are recognized by the WTO and given primary importance under the TBT Agreement.  As noted by the USTR, the approach of defining a list of such bodies was resoundingly rejected in 2002 by the WTO TBT Committee.  Instead, the TBT Committee crafted the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, G/TBT/9, Annex IV., which created an obligation to recognize and use international standards based upon the principles embodied in their development process.

“With individual members from 121 WTO countries, ASTM International develops international standards under a globally recognized process that meets WTO TBT principles and that allows individuals and governments to participate directly, as equals," said ASTM International President James A. Thomas. "We join USTR in urging that all WTO member countries recognize their WTO TBT obligations and allow the marketplace and individual sectors to choose international standards that best suit their needs, regardless of their source.”

As an integral member of the global trading system, ASTM International is deeply committed to the objectives of TBT Agreement such as the elimination of unnecessary technical barriers to trade and the enhancement of global cooperation in standards development.  Today, 3,036 ASTM standards have been adopted as either the basis of national standards or referenced in regulation by 63 countries outside of the United States.  In addition, ASTM standards and training programs advance the health, safety, and environmental and economic conditions of stakeholders around the globe.

For a copy of the USTR letter to the WTO see http://www.astm.org/wto.html.

For more information concerning ASTM International’s Global Outreach Program, see: www.astm.orgGLOBAL or Jeffrey H. Grove, Director, Government Industry Affairs, ASTM International, Washington, D.C. (phone: 202/223-8505; jgrove@astm.org).