. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/L/459
17 May 2002
(02-2750)
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1996 CHANGES
INTO WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS
Norway – Schedule XIV
Decision of 13 May 20021
The General Council,
Considering  that the Members of the WTO, by their Decisions of 13 December 1995,
18 July 1996, 24 April 1997, 22 October 1997, 24 April 1998, 14 October 1998, 15 June 1999, 4
November 1999, 3 May 2000, 8 December 2000 and 8 May 20012, acting pursuant to the provisions
of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the provisions of
Article II of GATT 1994 until 30 April 2002, for the purpose of enabling Norway, as one of the
Members listed in the Annex to the Decisions mentioned above, to implement the recommendedamendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature;
Recalling  that in its Decision of 8 May 2001, it was agreed that although no further extension
of a waiver on a collective basis would be granted, it would however not preclude Members from
requesting waivers on an individual basis;
Noting  that Norway has requested a waiver for reasons explained in its request
3;
Considering  that Norway would need more time to proceed with consultations, in particular
also in light of specific concerns raised by another Member;
Acting  pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement,
Decides , in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994, until 31 Oc tober 2002, for the purpose of enabling Norway to
implement the recommended amendments to the Ha rmonized System nomenclature, subject to the
following conditions:
(i) Norway shall, if necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and consultations with
interested Members pursuant to paragraphs 1 – 3 of Article XXVIII of GATT 1994;
(ii) the negotiations and consultations mentioned above shall be completed no later than
31 October 2002;
                                                     
1 Adopted in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO
Agreement agreed by the General Council in November 1995 (WT/L/93).
2 WT/L/124 + Corr.1, WT/L/173, WT/L/216, WT/L/243, WT/L/268, WT/L/281, WT/L303, WT/L/338,
WT/L/351, WT/L/379 and WT/L/400.
3 G/L/519.WT/L/459
Page 2
(iii) pending the entry into force of the results of the negotiations or consultations
mentioned above, the other Members will be free to suspend concessions initially
negotiated with Norway to the extent that they consider that adequate compensation
is not offered by Norway;
(iv) This would not preclude Norway from requesting a new waiver.
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