The WTO boosts global business, adopts new transparency guidelines and addresses 70 trade concerns in technology

 

The extensive agenda of the OTC Committee meeting focused on the internationalization of the economy and the facilitation of foreign tradeThe debates were structured into several key thematic sessions that sought a greater regulatory coherence between countries.

 

International Standards and Emerging Technologies

 

One of the most prominent sessions addressed the International Standards for Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET)The participants emphasized that international standards are fundamental for the reliable development of technologies such as IA, semiconductors and the GPSThe goal is for countries to use these standards when formulating their OTC measures. promote coherence y reduce compliance costs for the private sector.

 

Emphasis was placed on the need for the standards development process to be multi-stakeholder e interdisciplinaryand an increase in the regional cooperation and the knowledge sharing so that developing Members can fully participate in these activities.

 

Metrology and Good Regulatory Practices

 

In the session dedicated to role of metrologyIt was emphasized that this science guarantees that the measurements are accurate, comparable and consistent across borders, strengthening trust in the Quality of products and facilitating trade. Next year will mark the anniversary of 150th anniversary of the Subway Conventionhighlighting the importance of international collaboration in this field. However, the challenges faced by developing countries in maintaining their metrology systems were acknowledged, such as limitation of technical and financial resources.

 

Good Regulatory PracticesThe Members stressed the importance of the Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) Mandatory and monitored. These are vital for minimize trade disruptions y balance Public policy objectives. Impact assessments should be carried out in early stages, with public consultation and evaluation of alternatives to ensure that the measures adopted are the most appropriate. less restrictive possible for trade.

 

Advances in Regulatory Transparency

 

A highlight of the meeting was the adoption of revised transparency guidelinesThis new framework will help Members to provide updates throughout the regulatory lifecycle of OTC measures, for example, when a notified project is amended or adopted. The measure seeks to ensure that all Members They all benefit equally from the additional time to formulate observations.

 

Cape Verde announced its first notification, in line with the guidelines previously adopted by the Committee in March 2024, regarding the legal and institutional arrangements for implementing the TBT Agreement.

 

Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance

 

The Committee examined 70 specific trade concerns, 12 of them presented for the first time, ranging from the ciberseguridad and the steel to food packaging and cars. The United States Office and the United Kingdom they reported on the successful resolution of concerns they had raised about Indian and Malaysian regulations on alcoholic beverages, respectively.

 

Both countries emphasized the importance of open dialogue and the role of the OTC Committee to reduce unnecessary obstacles to trade.

 

Finally, the following was addressed: technical assistance, where he National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) of Brazil It presented an overview of South-South cooperation in the area of ​​TBT. The WTO Secretariat updated Members on the 12 technical assistance activities delivered in 2025, including nine face-to-face activities in countries such as Paraguay, Chile, Ethiopia, Malaysia y Namibiaand specific virtual clinics for Guatemala y Myanmar.