GENEVA — The European Union has proposed in the Doha global trade talks to reduce certification and conformity assessment testing procedures for textiles, apparel and footwear, which it believes hinder international trade.
The text by the 25-member EU pointed out that, in some countries, “contrary to the treatment of domestic products, imported goods must be tested at the point of entry in order to certify their compliance with a variety of domestic standards to attest to the absence of certain substances….”
According to the EU paper, some countries resort to procedures that act as trade barriers, such as use of standards that are not internationally recognized; costs and delays in tests conducted by customs; unnecessary testing and certification, and nonrecognition of third-party certification and testing.
The Brussels-based EU argues such measures distort global trade in these products because they hinder market access; increase the transaction costs related to the import of textiles, apparel and footwear products, and provide an unfair advantage to domestic industries at the expense of foreign suppliers.
In the last four decades, trade in textile and apparel increased more than 60 times in nominal terms, to $342 billion in 2001 from less than $6 billion in 1962, noted the proposal.
Continued prevalence of such nontariff barriers, which have been proliferating in these areas, “constitutes a particularly significant disincentive for small- and medium-sized enterprises … to the extent that smaller companies refrain from exporting altogether,” it noted.
The EU paper was circulated during a closed-door negotiating session here last week at the non-agricultural market access segment of the talks, sponsored by the World Trade Organization. The EU argued that “some controls at the border are disproportionate as regards risk” related to the consumption of most textiles, apparel and footwear and constitute “significant red tape.”
Asked about the EU paper, a high-level U.S. official, speaking on the condition of nonattribution, said: “Basically, we agree … We think it’s in the right direction.”