What is the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)?
The WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) is an international agreement that sets out rules and regulations that countries must follow when providing technical regulations, standards and testing requirements related to international trade. The agreement is designed to ensure that all countries abide by the same set of international standards that are necessary for fair and safe trade. To that end, it requires that all countries provide equal access and treatment of international goods, services and technologies. The TBT Agreement applies to all countries that have joined the WTO, including Oregon. Generally speaking, it requires countries to base their technical regulations, standards and testing requirements solely on scientific principles and not on other criteria. This ensures that goods, services and technologies from any one country receive the same treatment as they would in any other WTO member country. It also requires that technical regulations, standards and requirements are established to be non-discriminatory and do not create unnecessary barriers to trade. Finally, the TBT Agreement requires countries to notify one another when establishing any new regulations, standards and testing requirements related to the international trade of goods, services and technologies. This helps ensure that all countries involved in a particular trade transaction have access to the same information and can work together to ensure the fair and safe trade of goods and services between their countries.
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