TBT Committee reviews emerging technology standards, adopts improved notification formats

Discussions on emerging technology standards

The Committee held thematic sessions on critical and emerging technologies (CETs), including agricultural biotechnology, biofuels and clean energy generation and storage; climate change adaptation and mitigation in buildings; and lithium-ion batteries.

Across the sessions, speakers explored how well-designed technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures can advance environmental, safety and other public-policy objectives while facilitating trade and supporting innovation. Discussions emphasized the value of requirements that are predictable, practical, fit-for-purpose and adaptable to evolving technologies and local circumstances.

International standards, robust quality infrastructure, broad stakeholder participation and regulatory cooperation were highlighted as important for building trust, avoiding unnecessary fragmentation and helping climate-related technologies and solutions reach markets.

Recordings and further details on each session can be found here.

Members reported progress on three previously raised specific trade concerns.

Australia withdrew its concern regarding India's Quality Control Order for cotton bales following India's decision to rescind the measure. The United States indicated that most of its concerns regarding Colombia's mandatory food-fortification requirements had been resolved after Colombia extended the implementation period, clarified the products covered and provided exemptions for certain imported processed products and rice varieties. Kenya also reported progress regarding China's regulations for the supervision and administration of medical devices.

The Committee then considered a total of 70 new and previously raised trade concerns regarding proposed and final TBT measures, which are listed here.

The 17 new trade concerns addressed a wide variety of regulatory issues related to organic products, recycled plastics and biofuels; industrial decarbonization, cybersecurity and digital product passports; vehicles, railway systems and telecommunications equipment; and food, pharmaceutical and medical-device requirements, among other topics.

Some of these new concerns related to the treatment accorded to foreign products, producers and regulatory systems under emerging environmental, digital and industrial-policy measures. Members raising these concerns sought, among other things, greater clarity on scope and technical criteria, sufficient implementation time, and recognition of equivalent regulations, international standards and foreign conformity assessment results.

The Committee adopted another set of improvements to notifications and related processes as a result of work carried out in the Transparency Working Group established in 2022. The revised formats for notifications under the TBT Agreement's Code of Good Practice for the preparation, adoption and application of standards aim to facilitate access to information on standards development activities.

Comoros presented its notification of the legal and institutional arrangements for implementing the TBT Agreement, the first since it became a WTO member in 2024, emphasizing its commitment to transparency. Comoros also recently submitted its first notification of a technical regulation (related to plastic packaging).

Tanzania provided an update regarding its active engagement in transparency processes, viewing transparency as a practical tool for improving regulatory efficiency, promoting stakeholder participation and reducing unnecessary barriers to trade.

The WTO Secretariat presented a new pilot function on ePing to facilitate domestic stakeholder consultations and comments on regulations notified by trading partners. The ePing platform facilitates tracking sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and TBT measures developed by members.

The Secretariat also provided an update on the ePing project funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), referring to the four national workshops held in Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania to raise awareness of the platform and to seek feedback on the services offered by ePing.

The United Kingdom shared its positive experience presenting ePing during a Stakeholder Engagement Day for trade associations, sector representatives and businesses.

MC14 decision on special and differential treatment

The G90 group of developing economies and least-developed countries welcomed the MC14 Decision on Enhancing the Precise, Effective and Operational Implementation of Special and Differential Treatment Provisions of the SPS and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreements. They also reiterated proposals for continued structured discussions on special and differential treatment in the SPS and TBT committees, improvements to notifications and transparency, and optimization of technical assistance and capacity-building.

The Committee agreed, in line with its mandate, on the timeline for its 11th Triennial Review of the TBT Agreement, which is to be completed in November 2027. The Interim Chairperson, Daniel Lim, encouraged members to begin submitting proposals before the next Committee meeting in November.

China provided an update on its proposal for "Strengthening Discussions and Cooperation on Carbon-Related Standards in the WTO".

Canada provided an update on a gender-responsive standards panel and on a Menstrual Health Day event related to global standards development, both held in May.

The WTO Secretariat announced a new brochure highlighting "10 key outcomes" from the TBT Committee's work in 2025 as well as a short video explaining "What is the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement?".

The next regular meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 11-13 November.