WTO-TBT National Enquiry Point-PSQCA [Pakistan] PSQCA Complex, Plot #St-7A, Block-3, Schem-36, Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi Tel # +92-21-99261878 Email: [email protected] ; http://www.psqca.com.pk Update: April 30, 2023
Introduction Pakistan TBT Notifications Summary of WTO-TBT Notifications [January 2023] [February 2023] [March 2023] [April 2023] WTO Notified TBT Enquiry Points Tech. Regulators in Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Trade Promotion Org. (TPOs) Rules & Regulations (Federal/Provincial) Export / Import Items – Pakistan |E x p o r t| |I m p o r t| Accreditation of PSQCA Laboratories Laboratories in Pakistan PSQCA Signed MoUs with Universities Technical Committees (TCs) Standardization- Work Plan TBT Agreement ISO Code of Conduct for TC Events WTO TBT (Local) Enquiries WTO TBT (International) Enquiries Contact us	Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), the National Standards Body (NSB) for Pakistan was established under PSQCA Act 1996, working under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan. PSQCA is a member of International Standardization Bodies i.e. ISO, IEC & OIML and has signed MoUs with NSBs of other country to facilitate the trade through standardization and conformity assessment. PSQCA has been designated as the WTO-TBT National Enquiry Point on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) of Pakistan under the TBT Agreement (Article 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3) and established WTO-TBT National Enquiry Point at PSQCA Head Office, Karachi to facilitate the exporters/traders/ manufacturers in the country and also any WTO member countries. This enquiry point is responsible to disseminate information on TBT-Notifications, deals with queries regarding Standards, Technical Regulations, Rules & Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures. WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) The WTO system recognizes the important role of standards and conformity assessment system to improve production efficiency and facilitate international trade. In this regard the TBT gives right to every member country to take necessary measures and protect human health, the environment and prevent deceptive practices. It therefore, addresses the matters pertaining to the preparation, adoption and application of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures and should be transparent. Members are therefore required to promptly notify to WTO Secretariat, standards and technical regulations being prepared or are in the process of adoption. Systematic development of standards relating to products and processes in consultation with stakeholders in accordance with “Code of Good Practices for preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards” given in TBT Agreement. WTO-TBT National Enquiry Point In accordance with article 10.1 of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade each member shall ensure that an enquiry point exist, which is able to answer all reasonable enquiries from other members and interested parties in other members as well as to provide the relevant information. Functions of National Enquiry Point Answer to all reasonable enquiries from other member countries of WTO-TBT and interested parties, and provide the relevant document to other member countries. 10.1.1 Any technical regulations adopted or proposed within its territory by central or local government bodies, by non-governmental bodies which have legal power to enforce a technical regulation, or by regional standardizing bodies of which such bodies are members or participants; 10.1.2 Any standards adopted or proposed within its territory by central or local government bodies, or by regional standardizing bodies of which such bodies are members or participants; 10.1.3 Any conformity assessment procedures, or proposed conformity assessment procedures, which are operated within its territory by central or local government bodies, or by non- governmental bodies which have legal power to enforce a technical regulation, or by regional bodies of which such bodies are members or participants; 10.1.4 The membership and participation of the Member, or of relevant central or local government bodies within its territory, in international and regional standardizing bodies and conformity assessment systems, as well as in bilateral and multilateral arrangements within the scope of this Agreement; it shall also be able to provide reasonable information on the provisions of such systems and arrangements; 10.1.5 The location of notices published pursuant to this Agreement, or the provision of information as to where such information can be obtained. Who can benefit from NEP The NEP works as facilitation centre for importers /exporters /manufacturers /traders etc in the framework of WTO-TBT Agreement. The business community will be benefited from the enquiry point in the following manner: Information on standards/technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and other trade requirements from other WTO member countries. Alert about new technical regulations enacted or contemplated by trading partners which may affect trade. There is always room for improvement, any comment/observation are always appreciated.