Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement

The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement ensures regulations, standards, testing, and certification procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade. Countries can pursue legitimate policy objectives like national security, environmental protection, or consumer safety. The agreement mandates transparency, requiring members to notify proposed technical regulations and standards. It also promotes international standards as a basis for domestic regulations. Examples include the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The TBT Committee oversees the implementation and addresses disputes arising from non-compliance.