Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement
WTO agreement governing the use of technical standards, regulations, and conformity assessment procedures to ensure they do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade.
Purpose and principles
The TBT Agreement of the WTO aims to ensure that technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade. It entered into force with the establishment of the WTO in 1995.
Key obligations
The agreement requires WTO members to:
- Use existing international standards as the basis for their regulations (ISO, IEC, Codex Alimentarius)
- Apply the principle of non-discrimination (national treatment and MFN)
- Ensure transparency by notifying draft regulations to the WTO TBT Committee
- Avoid trade restrictions that are more restrictive than necessary to achieve the legitimate objective
Recognised legitimate objectives
The agreement recognises that states may adopt technical regulations for legitimate objectives:
- National security, prevention of deceptive practices
- Protection of human health or safety
- Protection of the environment
- Protection of animal and plant life
Practical implications
Exporters must comply with technical regulations of the destination country. The WTO TBT notification system allows monitoring of new draft regulations. The EU also notifies its drafts through the TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System). Mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) can facilitate market access by avoiding dual certification.