WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/W/193
10 February 2003
(03-0841)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
AN ANALYSIS OF THE PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED BY DEVELOPING COUNTRY
MEMBERS IN THEIR RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR A
"SURVEY TO ASSIST DEVELOPING COUNTRY MEMBERS TO
IDENTIFY AND PRIORITISE THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS
IN THE TBT FIELD"
Note by the Secretariat
1. At its meeting held on 17 October 2002, the Committee requested the Secretariat to prepare
an analysis of the priorities identified by deve loping country Members in their responses to the
questionnaire for a "Survey to Assist Developing Country Members to Identify and Prioritise their
Specific Needs in the TBT Field" (G/TBT/W/178).  This Note has been prepared in response to that
request.
2. When analysing the responses received1, the Secretariat has identified seven main areas of
needs, and under each area, the specific technical assistance/cooperation activities.  Out of the 45responses:
• 33 have indicated the need to improve the knowledge of the TBT Agreement, including
its Annex 3, and to disseminate and raise awareness of the Agreement;
• 32 have indicated the need for the effective implementation of the Agreement;
• 33 have indicated the need for exchange of experience among Members and for bilateral
contact/cooperation;
• 29 have indicated the need for national and regional coordination and strategy;
• 43 have indicated the need for infrastructure and capacity building;
• 20 have indicated the need for assistance to participate in the work of the
WTO TBT Committee and of other organizations;  and
• 16 have indicated needs related to market access and others.
                                                     
1 Up until January 2003, 50 responses have been received from developing country Members and
Lebanon* (country in accession), of which 45 have provided information on their prioritized needs.This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own
responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of Members
and to their rights and obligations under the WTOG/TBT/W/193
Page 2
3. The following table shows the frequency of the specific technical assistance/cooperation
needs identified. 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COOPERATION
NEEDS IDENTIFIEDPERCENTAGE OF THE
45 RESPONSES
To improve the knowledge, to disseminate and raise awareness of the Agreement,
including to build up local capacity and human resources on TBT issues73 %
Infrastructure and capacity building in relation to the transparency provisions of
the Agreement69 %
National and regional coordination and strategy (e.g. to establish/strengthen
working groups/programmes for TBT issues;  to develop a "market strategy" forthe private sector;  to disseminate information to producers and exporters;  and tointroduce a regional approach for good regulatory practice).64%
Infrastructure and capacity building in relation to conformity assessment bodies 62%
For the effective implementation of the Agreement in the area of the regulatory
practice51 %
Exchange of experience among Members and bilateral contact/cooperation for
the implementation of the Agreement44 %
Infrastructure and capacity building in relation to standardizing bodies 35 %
To improve market access and other activities (e.g. more accessible and cost-
effective facilities in developed country Members' conformity assessmentsystems;  system certification services for SMEs;  training on how to negotiateand participate in MRAs;  and  provision of technical literature on various areas)35 %
For the effective implementation of the Agreement in the area of transparency
provisions31%
Exchange of experience among Members and bilateral contact/cooperation for
the benefiting from the Agreement31 %
Exchange of experience among Members and bilateral contact/cooperation for
capacity building29 %
Participation in the work of relevant bodies (e.g. international standardizing
activities)29 %
Participation in the work of the WTO TBT Committee 27 %
For the effective implementation and administration of the Agreement in general 24%
For the effective implementation of the Ag reement in the area of the preparation,
adoption and application of standards22 %
Other activities concerning infrastructure and capacity building (e.g. to
modernize regulatory and standards system/structure; set up database/inventoriesfor environmental evaluation; and provide technical literature)15%G/TBT/W/193
Page 3AREAS OF NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED NUMBER
OF REQUESTSPERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL
REQUESTS
TO IMPROVE THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THETBT AGREEMENT(INCLUDING ITSANNEX 3);  TO
DISSEMINATE AND RAISE
AWARENESS OF THEAGREEMENT- To hold national seminars/workshops, to train trainers, to disseminate information and publicity or
education campaigns amongst regulatory authorities, enquiry point operators, trade representatives
and experts in other relevant bodies (e.g. standardizing bodies and conformity assessment bodies)
for the implementation of the Agreement.- To hold national seminars/workshops, to disseminate information and publicity campaigns
amongst public and private sectors for the benefiting from the Agreement.
- To obtain legal assistance in challenging WTO-inconsistent technical regulations.33
211.37 %
FOR THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION ANDADMINISTRATION OFTHE AGREEMENTThe implementation and administration of the Agreement in general
- To design/develop an implementation plan/strategy and schedule (e.g. through training,
consultancy support and exchange of national experts/experiences).
- To adopt/review laws and policies related to the implementation and administration of the
Agreement (e.g. create/enforce legal framework).1133.79 %
In the area of the preparation, adoption  and application of technical regulations
- To train national regulatory authorities on the drafting of technical regulations, conformity
assessment procedures and standards (including the review and identification of new regulations foreffective implementation).
- To train experts and to develop a mechanism to facilitate the adoption of international
standards/guides as a basis for technical regulations and conformity procedures.
- To obtain assistance on the adequacy of regulatory bodies and principles of good practices.
- To prepare technical requirements on the import of used goods.23
47.93 %
                                                     
2 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Bangladesh; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Chad; Chile; Cuba; Egypt; Gua temala; Honduras; India;
Indonesia; Jordan; Kenya; Korea; Lebanon*; Lesotho; Macao, Chin a; Malaysia; Malawi; Mexico; Oman; Senegal; South Africa; Sri La nka; St. Vincent and Grenadines;
Thailand; The Philippines; Trinidad and Tobago; Uganda; Uruguay; Venezuela
3 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Brunei Darussalam; Chad; Chile; Cuba; Guatemala; Kyrgyz Republic; Lebanon*; Senegal; The Philippines; Venezuela
4 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Brazil; Chad; Cuba; Egypt; Honduras; Jamaica; Kyrgyz Repu blic; Lebanon*; Malaysia;
Malawi; Mongolia; Pakistan; South Africa; St. Vincent and Grenadines; Sri Lanka; Thailand; The Philippines; Trinidad and Tobago ; Turkey; UgandaG/TBT/W/193
Page 4AREAS OF NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED NUMBER
OF REQUESTSPERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL
REQUESTS
FOR THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION ANDADMINISTRATION OFTHE AGREEMENTCONT'DIn the area of the preparation, adoption and application of standards
- To receive support in the implementation of the Code of Good Practice by standards bodies,
including the notification of draft standards and standards work programmes.1053.44 %
In the area of the transparency provisions
- To train personnel to follow the notification procedures.1464.82 %
EXCHANGE OF
EXPERIENCE AMONGMEMBERS AS WELL AS
BILATERAL CONTACT
AND COOPERATIONFor the implementation and administration of the Agreement
- To exchange national experiences (e.g. visits/experts/scholarship and consultation supports) for the
implementation and administration of the Agreement, regulatory practice and enforcement legal
framework, the operation of enquiry points and the provision of model laws on TBT issues.2076.89 %
For capacity building
- To obtain partnership or Memorandum of Unders tanding (MoU) with standards bodies of other
Members.
- To exchange experts/visits amongst metrology/calibration laboratories, certification andaccreditation bodies.
- To obtain partnership or MoU for the acceptance of conformity assessment results (e.g. unilateral
recognition;  suppliers' declarations;  mutual recogn ition agreements and portability of certification).13
84.48 %
Others
- To obtain information about technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and
standards of other Members.
- To received training on how to negotiate and participate in MRAs and equivalency agreements.1494.82 %
                                                     
5 Indicated in responses from: Brazil; Ghana; Cuba; Macao, China; Malaysia; Jordan; Senegal; St. Vincent and Grenadines; Thailan d; Turkey
6 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Brunei Darussalam; Cuba; Gh ana; India; Jordan; Macao, China; Malaysia; Malawi; St. Vincen t and Grenadines; Thailand; The
Philippines; Turkey; Uganda
7 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Chad; Cuba; Honduras; Jamaica; Jordan; Lesotho; Malaysia; Malawi; Mongolia; Oman; People' s Republic of China; South
Africa; Sri Lanka;  Thailand; The Philippines; Turkey; Uruguay; Venezuela; Zimbabwe
8 Indicated in responses from: Argentina; Chad; Colombia; India;  Jordan; Korea; Pakistan; Paragua y; St. Vincent and Grenadines; South Africa; Thailand; The
Philippines; Uruguay
9 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Argentina; Bangladesh; Jo rdan; Kyrgyz Republic; Macao, China; Mexico; Pakistan; People's Republic of China; St. Vincent and
Grenadines; Thailand; The Philippines; Uruguay; VenezuelaG/TBT/W/193
Page 5AREAS OF NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED NUMBER
OF REQUESTSPERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL
REQUESTS
NATIONAL AND
REGIONALCOORDINATION ANDSTRATEGY- To designate/implement/strengthen domestic working groups/programmes for TBT issues.
- To develop national procedures/systems/programmes to support coordination amongst regulatory
authorities and other relevant bodies for the implementation of the Agreement.
- To develop a "market intelligence/strategy" for the private sector (e.g. to optimize the standardsand quality assurance system;  to promote good manufacturing practices).
- To disseminate information to producers and exporters, including systems for them to search and
consult on technical regulation matters.
- To introduce a regional approach for good regulatory practice supported by regional level capacity
building (e.g. to establish/strengthen the infrastructure for conformity assessment and market
surveillance).29
1010 %
INFRASTRUCTURE AND
CAPACITY BUILDINGIn Relation to the Transparency Provisions of the Agreement
- To receive assistance/funds/physical infrastructure for the establishing and functioning of enquiry
points, including to establish a mechanism for the interaction with stakeholders (e.g. "Export Alert"
system).
- To develop/improve efficient means and procedures for the communication and dissemination of
notifications (e.g. access to telecommunications network, hardware/software to establish an online
database, interactive website and publication;  technical system/means for exporters to search and
consult on technical regulations;  to interface with the WTO website and enquiry points;  and toobtain printers, fax and photocopier).
- To obtain technical publications of other enquiry points.31
1110.68 %
                                                     
10 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Chad; Egypt; Ghana; Guatemala; Honduras; India; Indonesia; Jor dan; Kenya; Korea; Lebanon*;
Lesotho; Macao, China; Mexico; Mongolia; Paraguay; People's Repub lic of China; Senegal; South Africa; St. Vincent and Grenadine s; Thailand; The Philippines; Trinidad and
Tobago; Turkey; Venezuela; Zimbabwe
11 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Argentina; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Chad; Cuba; Egypt; Ghana; India; Indonesia; Jordan;  Kenya; Kyrgyz Republic; Lesotho;
Macao, China; Malaysia; Malawi; Mexico; Oman; People's Republic of  China; Senegal; South Africa; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the  Grenadines; Thailand; The Philippines;
Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; Uganda; Venezuela; ZimbabweG/TBT/W/193
Page 6AREAS OF NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED NUMBER
OF REQUESTSPERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL
REQUESTS
INFRASTRUCTURE AND
CAPACITY BUILDINGCONT'DIn Relation to Standardizing Bodies
- To establish/improve national standardizing bodies for the preparation, adoption and application of
standards (e.g. to receive physical infrastructure, including electronic means).
- To design/improve mechanisms to obtain in formation on national/international standards and
guides.
- To translate international standards into national official language.16125.51 %
In relation to Conformity Assessment Bodies
- To establish/improve conformity assessment infrastructure and system (e.g. to receive
assistance/funds/cooperation in the development of laboratories, metrology infrastructure,
inspection, testing, certification and accreditation bodies;  assistance in obtaining recognition from
international/regional accreditation bodies).- To train experts for conformity assessment bodies, metrology and measurement.
- To develop a national measurement system.
- To provide necessary equipment and related technical assistance to laboratories.28
139.65 %
Others
- To modernize regulatory and standard systems/structures.
- To set up database/inventories for environmental evaluation (e.g. hard/software and  experts).
- To receive technical literature on various areas.7142.41 %
PARTICIPATION IN THE
WORK OF THE WTO TBTCOMMITTEE AND OFOTHER ORGANIZATIONSIn the work of the TBT Committee
- To finance participation of national officials/experts in TBT meetings and works.
- To improve knowledge and awareness on the Committee's work and its impact by means of
seminars/workshop.- To develop negotiating skills.12
154.13 %
                                                     
12 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Bangladesh; Brunei Darussalam; Chad; Honduras; Jordan; Kyrgyz Republic; Lesotho; Mexico; People's Republic of China;
South Africa; St. Lucia; Thailand; The Philippines; Turkey; Zimbabwe
13 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Bangladesh; Chad; Colombia; Ghana; Honduras; Jamaica; Jor dan; Kenya; Kyrgyz Republic;
Lebanon*; Malawi; Mongolia; Oman; Pakistan; Paraguay; Senegal; South Africa; Sri Lanka; St. Lucia; The Philippines; Trinidad an d Tobago; Turkey; Uganda; Uruguay;
Zimbabwe
14 Indicated in responses from: Angola; Colombia; India; Jordan; Kyrgyz Republic; Thailand; The Philippines
15 Indicated in responses from: Bangladesh; Brunei Darussalam; Co lombia; Cuba; Egypt; Ghana; Jordan; Macao, China; Mongolia; Thai land; Trinidad and Tobago;
ZimbabweG/TBT/W/193
Page 7AREAS OF NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED NUMBER
OF REQUESTSPERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL
REQUESTS
PARTICIPATION IN THE
WORK OF THE WTO TBTCOMMITTEE AND OFOTHER ORGANIZATIONSCONT'DIn the work of other organizations
- To finance membership/participation in international standardizing bodies/activities (e.g. in areas
of particular domestic interest).
- To improve participation/awareness in international standards and conformity assessment guidesto encourage/facilitate their use.
- To receive training on how to act as secretariats of committees/sub-committees/working groups.
- To receive training on the use of international standards and guides.13
16 4.48 %
MARKET ACCESS AND
OTHERS- To obtain more accessible and cost-effective accreditation facilities as well as other conformity
assessment procedures operated by developed country Members.
- To provide system certification services to SMEs.
- To hold seminars/workshops aimed at improv ing market access for products from developing
countries.
- To train experts on the implementation of recycling/recovery technologies (e.g. on waste
management, eco-design, eco-labels, life cycle analysis, environmental accountability and risk
assessment).16175.51 %
TOTAL290 100%
                                                     
16 Indicated in responses from: Argentina; Bangladesh; Egypt; India; Kyrgyz Republic; Lesotho; Macao, China; Mongolia; People's R epublic of China; Thailand; The
Philippines; Trinidad and Tobago; Uruguay
17 Indicated in responses from: Argentina; Bangladesh; Colombia; Egypt; India; Jordan; Kenya; Kyrgyz Republic; Korea; Mongolia; T hailand; Senegal; St. Vincent and
Grenadines; South Africa; Uruguay; ZimbabweG/TBT/W/193
Page 8
ANNEX 1
A LIST OF THE RESPONSES SUBMITTED
Member and Observer Document Symbol
1. Brunei Darussalam JOB(02)/99
2. Argentina JOB(02)/99/Add.1
3. Macao, China JOB(02)/99/Add.2
4. Singapore JOB(02)/99/Add.3
5. Peru JOB(02)/99/Add.4
6. Brazil JOB(02)/99/Add.5
7. Indonesia JOB(02)/99/Add.6
8. Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu,
Kinmen and MatsuJOB(02)/99/Add.7
9. Thailand JOB(02)/99/Add.8
10. Madagascar JOB(02)/99/Add.9
11. Chile JOB(02)/99/Add.10
12. The Philippines JOB(02)/99/Add.11
13. Paraguay JOB(02)/99/Add.12
14. Colombia JOB(02)/99/Add.13
15. Kyrgyz Republic JOB(02)/99/Add.14
16. Mexico JOB(02)/99/Add.15
17. China JOB(02)/99/Add.16
18. India JOB(02)/99/Add.17
19. Lebanon JOB(02)/99/Add.18
20. Oman JOB(02)/99/Add.19
21. Lesotho JOB(02)/99/Add.20
22. Malawi JOB(02)/99/Add.21
23. Kenya JOB(02)/99/Add.22
24. Chad JOB(02)/99/Add.23
25. Cuba JOB(02)/99/Add.24
26. Venezuela JOB(02)/99/Add.25
27. Honduras JOB(02)/99/Add.26
28. Senegal JOB(02)/99/Add.27
29. Angola JOB(02)/99/Add.28
30. Zimbabwe JOB(02)/99/Add.29
31. St. Vincents & the Grenadines JOB(02)/99/Add.30
32. Mauritius JOB(02)/99/Add.31
33. Jordan JOB(02)/99/Add.32
34. Korea JOB(02)/99/Add.33
35. Malaysia JOB(02)/99/Add.34
36. South Africa JOB(02)/99/Add.35
37. Mongolia JOB(02)/99/Add.36
38. Bangladesh JOB(02)/99/Add.37
39. St. Lucia JOB(02)/99/Add.38
40. Ghana JOB(02)/99/Add.39
41. Trinidad and Tobago JOB(02)/99/Add.40G/TBT/W/193
Page 9
Member and Observer Document Symbol
42. Uganda JOB(02)/99/Add.41
43. Egypt JOB(02)/99/Add.42
44. Jamaica JOB(02)/99/Add.43
45. Guatemala JOB(02)/99/Add.44
46. Uruguay JOB(02)/99/Add.45
47. Turkey JOB(02)/99/Add.46
48. Sri Lanka JOB(02)/99/Add.47
49. Antigua amd Barbuda JOB(02)/99/Add.48
50. Pakistan JOB(02)/99/Add.49
__________