Request for observer status by the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade: Submission from Uganda

The delegation of Uganda has noted the request for observer status in the WTO TBT Committee by the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) from a document circulated by the Secretariat on 12 October 2015.

Uganda would like to inform Members that the mandate of ARSO includes the development of tools for formulation, harmonization and implementation of standards with the cardinal objectives of enhancing Africa’s internal trade capacity, increasing the global competitiveness of Africa’s products and services and uplifting the welfare of consumers in Africa. In according to its vision and mission, ARSO strives to promote trade and industry and facilitate intra-African and global trade through provision and facilitation of the implementation of harmonized standards that are normally used as the basis for technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures.

In carrying out its mandate, ARSO seeks to, inter alia, encourage and facilitate the adoption of international standards by its Members Bodies; coordinate the view of its Members at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, and other international organizations that provide standardization and related activities; and promote and facilitate exchange of experts, information and cooperation in training in standardization activities. ARSO is also coordinating the continental-wide harmonization of standards to promote intra-African and global trade.

In addition, two key strategic objectives of ARSO within the ARSO strategic framework 2012-2017, are to establish a standards harmonization system that supports a sound regulatory framework and disseminate harmonized standards, guidelines and recommendations to support intra-, inter- African and international trade and these closely relate to the discussions held in the TBT Committee.

The above attributes of ARSO are in tandem with the Preamble, Article 2.6 and Annex 3, paragraphs F and G of the TBT Agreement.

The delegation of Uganda therefore recognizes that ARSO is a relevant standardization organization in the area of harmonization of standards and technical regulations within the African continent and ARSO is especially useful in spearheading the adoption of international standards that are usually incorporated into technical regulations which if not harmonized can create unnecessary obstacles to international trade.

On the basis of the attributes of ARSO outlined above, the delegation of Uganda supports the request for observer status of ARSO in the TBT Committee and would like to recommend that the Committee grants the request.

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Request for observer status by the Inter-Government Authority on Development (IGAD) to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade: Submission from Uganda

Uganda would like to recall that the Chairperson of the TBT Committee informed Members in the Committee meeting of 17-18 June 2015 that a new request for observer status in the TBT Committee was received from the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The delegation of Uganda has reviewed the request for observer status made by the IGAD Secretariat circulated by WTO Secretariat and would like to note that the aims and objectives of IGAD include, inter alia; promotion of free movement of goods and services; creation of an enabling environment for foreign, cross-border and domestic trade and investment; initiate and promote programmes and projects for sustainable development of natural resources and environment protection; facilitate, promote and strengthen cooperation in research, development and application in the fields of science and technology.

In addition, one of the areas of cooperation among IGAD Member States is to develop and expand cooperation and undertake to coordinate their effort to: preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment; develop harmonious environmental management strategies and policies; work towards the promotion of trade and gradual harmonization of their trade policies and practices and the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade so that it can lead to regional economic integration; and cooperate in the gradual harmonization of their national policies in scientific and technological research and development, transfer of technology, and their policies on capacity building in science and technology.

As can be recognized from the preceding paragraphs, some of the aims and objectives of IGAD and areas of cooperation of IGAD Member States relate closely to the issues that are regularly discussed by the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade as well as to the aims and objectives and scope of the TBT Agreement.

Furthermore, the Agreement establishing IGAD provides for the Authority to relate with other regional organizations and inter-governmental and non-governmental agencies in pursuit of its aims and objectives. In this respect, the delegation of Uganda believes that the WTO is one such inter-governmental organization which IGAD can relate and cooperate with.

The delegation of Uganda also believes that granting IGAD observer status in the TBT Committee will enable IGAD Secretariat to better monitor the developments in the Committee and advise its Member States on how to exercise their rights under the TBT Agreement and enhance their compliance with the obligations in the Agreement.

It is in line with the above background that Uganda supports the request for observer status by IGAD in the WTO TBT Committee.

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UPDATE: At their formal meeting on 4-6 November 2015, the Members of the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade agreed to grant ad hoc observer status to the African Standards Organization (ARSO) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in response to the requests from these organizations.