ORGANIZATION OF
AMERICAN STATES - TRADE UNIT |
PROVISIONS ON STANDARDS AND CONFORMITY
ASSESSMENT IN TRADE AND INTEGRATION ARRANGEMENTS OF THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE |
SG/TU/WG.STBT/DOC.6/96/Rev.3
9 February 1998
Original: English
Limited Distribution |
Part
III |
RECENT
STANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITY
WITHIN TRADE AND INTEGRATION ARRANGEMENTS
|
I. ADMINISTRATIVE
STRUCTURES RELATED TO STANDARDS
NAFTA |
The NAFTA Chapter 9 on
standards-related measures requires the formation of specific
sectoral Subcommittees and also an overall Committee described
below.
Committee on Standards-Related Measures (CSRM): The Committee
is responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the
Chapter 9 on Technical Barriers to Trade. The committee has its own
terms of reference which are based on the guidelines provided in
Chapter 9 which includes oversight on the four Subcommittees as well
as procedures for reviewing current standards issues, creation of
new Subcommittees as required and encouraging cooperation in
standards matters. The Committee generally meets thrice yearly in
NAFTA member capitals.
Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee (LTSS): This
Subcommittee is responsible for making compatible relevant
standards-related measures for bus, truck and rail operations. It
has five working groups focusing on specific standards areas. They
are
- Drivers and Vehicle Standards and Compliance,
- Vehicle Weights and Dimensions,
- Road Signs,
- Railway Standards, and
- Hazardous Materials Standards.
Besides working on existing regulatory standards to facilitate
cross border trade, it also reviews newly proposed regulations in
member countries to maintain compatibility.
Telecommunications Standards Subcommittee (TSSC): This
Subcommittee is responsible for making compatible the
standards-related measures for telecommunication terminal attachment
equipment. Presently its work is focused on implementing the
obligations of the NAFTA Telecom chapter which requires that the
Parties establish conformity assessment procedures within two years
(by 1997) to allow for the acceptance of test results from other
parties labs for certification purposes. It also focusses on making
compatible regulatory requirements for telecommunications equipment.
The work of the Subcommittee is supported by the industry-led
trilateral Consultative Committee on Telecommunications (CCT).
Automotive Standards Council:
The Council is responsible for making compatible the
standards-related measures that apply to automotive goods. It has an
agreed terms of reference and is in the process of establishing
national working groups in fours specific areas. They are
- Emissions/Engines/Fuels,
- Light Vehicle Safety,
- Heavy Vehicle Safety, and
- Parts and Equipment.
Subcommittee on Labeling of Textile and Apparel Goods:
This Subcommittee is responsible for harmonization of labeling
requirements to facilitate trade in textile and apparel goods. The
Subcommittee has developed its terms of reference and is presently
focusing on care labeling requirements in the three countries.
Other standards-related groups and activities include:
Trilateral Standardization Forum (TSF):
The TSF is led by the three standards accreditation agencies in
the member countries; namely the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) of the USA, Direccion General de Normas (DGN) of
Mexico and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). Its primary
purpose is to promote harmonization in the area of voluntary
standards and conformity assessment procedures in the three
countries.
The NAFTA Chapter 9 on standards-related measures requires the
formation of specific sectoral Subcommittees and also an overall
Committee described below.
Committee on Standards-Related Measures (CSRM): The Committee
is responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the
Chapter 9 on Technical Barriers to Trade. The committee has its own
terms of reference which are based on the guidelines provided in
Chapter 9 which includes oversight on the four Subcommittees as well
as procedures for reviewing current standards issues, creation of
new Subcommittees as required and encouraging cooperation in
standards matters. The Committee generally meets thrice yearly in
NAFTA member capitals.
Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee (LTSS): This
Subcommittee is responsible for making compatible relevant
standards-related measures for bus, truck and rail operations. It
has five working groups focusing on specific standards areas. They
are
- Drivers and Vehicle Standards and Compliance,
- Vehicle Weights and Dimensions,
- Road Signs,
- Railway Standards, and
- Hazardous Materials Standards.
Besides working on existing regulatory standards to facilitate
cross border trade, it also reviews newly proposed regulations in
member countries to maintain compatibility.
Telecommunications Standards Subcommittee (TSSC): This
Subcommittee is responsible for making compatible the
standards-related measures for telecommunication terminal attachment
equipment. Presently its work is focused on implementing the
obligations of the NAFTA Telecom chapter which requires that the
Parties establish conformity assessment procedures within two years
(by 1997) to allow for the acceptance of test results from other
parties labs for certification purposes. It also focusses on making
compatible regulatory requirements for telecommunications equipment.
The work of the Subcommittee is supported by the industry-led
trilateral Consultative Committee on Telecommunications (CCT).
Automotive Standards Council:
The Council is responsible for making compatible the
standards-related measures that apply to automotive goods. It has an
agreed terms of reference and is in the process of establishing
national working groups in fours specific areas. They are
- Emissions/Engines/Fuels,
- Light Vehicle Safety,
- Heavy Vehicle Safety, and
- Parts and Equipment.
Subcommittee on Labeling of Textile and Apparel Goods:
This Subcommittee is responsible for harmonization of labeling
requirements to facilitate trade in textile and apparel goods. The
Subcommittee has developed its terms of reference and is presently
focusing on care labeling requirements in the three countries.
Other standards-related groups and activities include:
Trilateral Standardization Forum (TSF):
The TSF is led by the three standards accreditation agencies in
the member countries; namely the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) of the USA, Direccion General de Normas (DGN) of
Mexico and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). Its primary
purpose is to promote harmonization in the area of voluntary
standards and conformity assessment procedures in the three
countries.
|
Andean
Community |
According to Decision 376
of the Board of the Cartagena Agreement, the Andean Standardization
Committee has been organized to operate in coordination with the
Standardization Bodies of the five Andean countries by means of a
Secretary and a coordination entity.
The Commission of the Cartagena Agreement, the principal body of
Andean integration which includes the countries of Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, approved Decision 376 on
April 18, 1995, which creates the Andean System of Standardization,
Accreditation, Testing, Certification, Technical Regulations and
Metrology.
The Andean System is administered by the Andean Standardization
Committee, which is comprised of one principal representative and
one alternate from each of the member countries. The role of
technical support and coordination is performed by the Board of the
Cartagena Agreement, which functions as the Technical Secretary of
the Committee, and, among other duties, administers the operation of
the Andean Standardization System, of the National Certification
Bodies, of the Testing Laboratories, and of the Bodies of Accredited
Certification and Metrology.
For standards-related aspects of security, health, consumer
protection, the environment and national defense, the Andean System
is considering the possible creation of Ad Hoc Committees comprised
by experts and government authorities which oversee the relevant
technical regulations.
It is important to note that the supranational legal frameworks
to which the different national competent bodies are subject, in
addition to Decision 376, include the provisions of the World Trade
Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, as well as
those under the Cartagena Agreement, and in the technical operations
area, the guidelines and directives of the international
standardization organizations such as the ISO, IEC, ITU and CODEX
ALIMENTARIUS.
It is also important to point out that the Andean System
described above does not cover sanitary and phytosanitary aspects
since these are included in Decision 328.
The Member Countries are developing the process for Andean
Standards based on Technical Committees which are overseen by the
national standardizing bodies. The objective is to harmonize those
products’ standards that comprise intra-subregional trade. The
following Technical Committees have been formed:
- Rational Use of Energy and Energy Efficiency: work program for
1996 includes the study of standards related to energy
efficiency of electrical articles, lighting, motors, etc.;
- Quality Assurance and Technology: uses the ISO/CEI standards
and guidelines from ISO 9000 and 10000. Most of these standards
have already been approved as Andean Standards;
- Foods: the work program is being elaborated in coordination
with the relevant bodies that oversee the CODEX ALIMENTARIUS in
the Member Countries;
- Toy Safety: in the process of approving three toy safety
standards related to mechanical and physical properties,
inflammability and migration of certain elements;
- Gas: program comprises a study of installations of pipes for
GLP in residential and commercial buildings, installation of
pipes for natural gas in residential and commercial buildings,
distribution of methane gas for industrial use, containers for
GLP, container transport and terminology;
- Petroleum Derivatives: includes standardization of the
majority of combustibles used in the subregion, including other
derivatives such as asphalt dilutions, cationic asphalt
emulsions, bituminous laminates, etc.;
- Industrial Chemical Products: includes products such as
sulfuric acid, sodium carbonates, aluminum sulfate, sodium
hydroxide, activated carbon, calcium carbonate, kaolin, flexible
foams, etc.;
- Security: includes safety matches and safety glass; and
- Sanitation, Potable Water and Sewers: currently working within
the CAPREANDESAPA program.
The regulations of the Andean Network of National Accreditation
Bodies and the principles and philosophy of Andean Accreditation
govern accreditation procedures. The regulations of the Andean
Networks of Certification Bodies, Laboratories, and the Dispute
Resolution Mechanisms are in the process of being approved.
The Member Countries are working in the harmonization of the
procedures and requirements to obtain a Health Permit for Processed
Foods, Pharmaceutical Products, and Cosmetics. In addition, the
Member Countries are working on the typology, dimensions and weights
for international transport of freight and passengers.
According to Decision 376 of the Board of the Cartagena
Agreement, the Andean Standardization Committee has been organized
to operate in coordination with the Standardization Bodies of the
five Andean countries by means of a Secretary and a coordination
entity.
The Commission of the Cartagena Agreement, the principal body of
Andean integration which includes the countries of Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, approved Decision 376 on
April 18, 1995, which creates the Andean System of Standardization,
Accreditation, Testing, Certification, Technical Regulations and
Metrology.
The Andean System is administered by the Andean Standardization
Committee, which is comprised of one principal representative and
one alternate from each of the member countries. The role of
technical support and coordination is performed by the Board of the
Cartagena Agreement, which functions as the Technical Secretary of
the Committee, and, among other duties, administers the operation of
the Andean Standardization System, of the National Certification
Bodies, of the Testing Laboratories, and of the Bodies of Accredited
Certification and Metrology.
For standards-related aspects of security, health, consumer
protection, the environment and national defense, the Andean System
is considering the possible creation of Ad Hoc Committees comprised
by experts and government authorities which oversee the relevant
technical regulations.
It is important to note that the supranational legal frameworks
to which the different national competent bodies are subject, in
addition to Decision 376, include the provisions of the World Trade
Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, as well as
those under the Cartagena Agreement, and in the technical operations
area, the guidelines and directives of the international
standardization organizations such as the ISO, IEC, ITU and CODEX
ALIMENTARIUS.
It is also important to point out that the Andean System
described above does not cover sanitary and phytosanitary aspects
since these
The Member Countries are developing the process for Andean
Standards based on Technical Committees which are overseen by the
national standardizing bodies. The objective is to harmonize those
products’ standards that comprise intra-subregional trade. The
following Technical Committees have been formed:
- Rational Use of Energy and Energy Efficiency: work program for
1996 includes the study of standards related to energy
efficiency of electrical articles, lighting, motors, etc.;
- Quality Assurance and Technology: uses the ISO/CEI standards
and guidelines from ISO 9000 and 10000. Most of these standards
have already been approved as Andean Standards;
- Foods: the work program is being elaborated in coordination
with the relevant bodies that oversee the CODEX ALIMENTARIUS in
the Member Countries;
- Toy Safety: in the process of approving three toy safety
standards related to mechanical and physical properties,
inflammability and migration of certain elements;
- Gas: program comprises a study of installations of pipes for
GLP in residential and commercial buildings, installation of
pipes for natural gas in residential and commercial buildings,
distribution of methane gas for industrial use, containers for
GLP, container transport and terminology;
- Petroleum Derivatives: includes standardization of the
majority of combustibles used in the subregion, including other
derivatives such as asphalt dilutions, cationic asphalt
emulsions, bituminous laminates, etc.;
- Industrial Chemical Products: includes products such as
sulfuric acid, sodium carbonates, aluminum sulfate, sodium
hydroxide, activated carbon, calcium carbonate, kaolin, flexible
foams, etc.;
- Security: includes safety matches and safety glass; and
- Sanitation, Potable Water and Sewers: currently working within
the CAPREANDESAPA program.
The regulations of the Andean Network of National Accreditation
Bodies and the principles and philosophy of Andean Accreditation
govern accreditation procedures. The regulations of the Andean
Networks of Certification Bodies, Laboratories, and the Dispute
Resolution Mechanisms are in the process of being approved.
The Member Countries are working in the harmonization of the
procedures and requirements to obtain a Health Permit for Processed
Foods, Pharmaceutical Products, and Cosmetics. In addition, the
Member Countries are working on the typology, dimensions and weights
for international transport of freight and passengers. |
CACM |
|
Group of
Three |
Under Article 14-17, the
Committee on Standards-Related Measures was established, comprised
of equal numbers of representatives from each party. The Committee’s
first meeting was held in Caracas, Venezuela in 1995. In addition,
the Committee will establish a Subcommittee for Standards-Related
Health Measures and, when the Committee considers it appropriate,
may establish subcommittees and working groups that it considers
relevant, and can determine the scope of activity and the mandate of
those subcommittees. |
MERCOSUR |
The relationship between
MERCOSUR and the Mercosur Standardization Committee (CMN) is in the
process of being defined. MERCOSUR submitted a proposed agreement to
the CMN in order to establish its linkage in preparing technical
standards within the scope of MERCOSUR.
The WSG 3 is at present composed of the standardization bodies of
the four countries and Chile:
- from Argentina: Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM),
which has a private non- profit status;
- from Brazil: Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas
(ABNT),
with a private non-profit status;
- from Uruguay: Instituto Uruguayo de Normas Técnicas (UNIT),
private non-profit;
- from Paraguay: Instituto de Tecnologia y Normalización
(INTN),
governmental.
The CMN has a Governing Board made up of representatives from the
five standardization bodies, and sets up Sectoral Standardization
Committees to carry out its work in specific areas of interest.
There are at present 16 sectoral committees at work under the CMN in
the following areas:
1.
Electrical Power;
2. Steel;
3. Electronics and Telecommunications;
4. Toys;
5. Cement and Concrete;
6. Machinery and Mechanical Equip.;
7. Automobiles;
8. Tires, Rings and Valves;
9. Plastics for Civil Construction; |
10.
Information Technology and Industrial Automation;
11. Dentistry, Medicine, Hospital Care;
12. Paper and Cellulose;
13. Quality;
14. Welding;
15. Furniture;
16. Environment;
17 Accesibilidad;
18 Tecnología Gráfica. |
The CMN was created by Decision 1991-11-01 under the WSG 3, the
Mercosur/GMC Resolution No. 2-92 and began its activities in 1993.
The CMN is recognized by Mercosur as the only fora for the
harmonization and development of standards in a voluntary scope.
The main objectives of the CMN are:
- Elaborate voluntary regional standards.
- Promote cooperation among members to facilitate the
harmonization of their standards.
- Harmonize the political and technical positions of its members
on international standardization (ISO, IEC, etc.) and related
activities.
- Promote training in standardization, quality, etc.
- Encourage the development of certification systems and mutual
recognition.
|
ALADI |
|
CARICOM |
Standards approval is now
done by the Executive Committee of the Caricom Standards Council
(CCMSC) before the standards are declared by the Council of Ministers. |
[
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of Contents ]
II. ACTIVITY OF STANDARDS
COMMITTEES
A. Adoption of International Standards
NAFTA |
Article 905
establishes that each Party shall utilize, as a basis for its
standards-related measures, relevant international standards or
those whose adoption is imminent. In this context, and with a view
towards harmonization, the Parties have been working to avoid
problems with market access. |
Andean
Community |
The Andean countries have
adopted as national guidelines the ISO/IEC guidelines related to
Standardization and Conformity Assessment procedures. In the same
way the ISO Guide 31 on Qualities and Unities, 8402 on Quality
Assurance and the ISO 9000 series have been adopted, so that
previous national practices on Quality Certification and assurance
have been modified.
The preferential order of reference documents for the adoption,
elaboration, or implementation of Andean standards is as follows:
- International standards such as ISO, IEC, CODEX, OIML, and
ITU;
- International standards projects;
- Regional standards, for example, CEN/CENELEC, COPANT standards
and others;
- Harmonized standards between two or more countries of the
ANDEAN COMMUNITY;
- National standards of member countries of the ANDEAN
COMMUNITY;
- National standards of non-member countries of the ANDEAN
COMMUNITY;
- Standards from private organizations of recognized
international authority such as ASTM, SAE and API;
- Other documents of interest.
|
CACM |
|
Group of
Three |
Article 14-06 establishes
that each Party shall use, as a basis for its standards-related
measures, existing international standards or those whose adoption
is imminent, except when those standards do not constitute an
effective or adequate method to achieve their legitimate objectives. |
MERCOSUR |
Res. GMC152/96 punto 4.3
According to Mercosur Standardization Committee (CMN) regulations,
the priority order in choosing sources for developing standards must be
as follows:
- International Standards such as ISO, IEC, ITU;
- Regional (COPANT) Standards;
- European Standards CEN/CENELEC;
- Mercosur Member Countries National Standards;
- Non-Member Countries National Standards;
- Standards by Private Organizations enjoying International
Recognition, such as ASTM, SAE and others;
- Other relevant documents.
|
ALADI |
|
CARICOM |
These are the basis for the
Regional Standards. |
[
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of Contents ]
B. Establishment
of an Office for Standards Coordination
NAFTA |
At the moment the
Committee and the Subcommittees are organized as forums and do not
have any physical presence. |
Andean
Community |
|
CACM |
|
Group of
Three |
Article 14-10
considers the establishment of an Enquiry Point for
Standards-Related Measures and Conformity Assessment Procedures. To
date no such office has been established. |
MERCOSUR |
|
ALADI |
|
CARICOM |
|
[
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of Contents ]
C. Publication
of Material Related to Harmonization, Coordination, or Reciprocal
Recognition Efforts
NAFTA |
Each of the
Subcommittees publishes, in summary form, the results of their
meetings and any decisions taken for informing their interested
parties. Significant announcements such as the formation of working
groups requiring ind
ustry participation are also announced in the Official Gazettes
of each country. Meetings involving industry and non-government
organizations are also announced on a priori basis to allow
for adequate participation from interested groups. Results of
decisions made in the area of recognition of laboratories, etc., are
also announced to industry. |
Andean
Community |
|
CACM |
|
Group
of Three |
At this
point, no mechanism for the publication of material related to
harmonization, coordination and/or reciprocal recognition efforts
has been mandated by the Standards Committee. |
MERCOSUR |
|
ALADI |
|
CARICOM |
|
[
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of Contents ]
III. METROLOGY
A. Development of a Metrology Committee
or Metrology Center
NAFTA |
The NORAMET is a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the area of Metrology between
the three national measurements laboratories in North America namely
the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, National Institute of
Science and Technology (NIST) of USA and Centro Nacional de
Metrología (CENAM) of Mexico. The MOU is for fostering closer
cooperation, coordinate research and sharing of resources in the
area of measurement.
The North American Calibration Cooperation (NACC) is a MOU in the
area of calibration involving the accreditation organizations SCC,
NIST and DGN and the national labs NRC, NIST and CENAM. The MOU
provides a framework to establish mutual confidence and
compatibility in the area of calibration with a view to Mutual
Recognition of accreditation organizations and individual labs.
There is no central physical facility for Metrology or
Calibration in the region. |
Andean
Community |
The Andean System
operates its Metrology related work through the corresponding Andean
Network for Metrology, whose specific objectives are as follows:
- Disseminate and apply the International System of Units in
each one of the member countries;
- Improve the metrology infrastructure of the member countries
particularly taking into account the specific needs of the
lesser developed member countries;
- Achieve compatibility of national metrology patterns with
regional and international metrology patterns;
- Achieve recognition of the results of mediation processes
performed in the laboratories of the Andean Network for
Metrology;
- Develop relevant plans for training and formation in metrology
and related topics;
- Promote the accreditation of the calibration laboratories,
utilizing the infrastructure of the member countries and
following international processes;
- Achieve subregional and international recognition of
certifications made by its members;
- Develop and maintain mechanisms that permit a continuous flow
of information between the member countries in the area of
metrology, in accordance with that mandated in Article 35 of
Decision 376.
|
CACM |
|
Group of
Three |
Article 14-12 establishes
that the Parties will make compatible, to the greatest extent
possible, their national metrological patterns using as a base
existing international metrological patterns. |
MERCOSUR |
Res. GMC 61/97:
Negotiating Parties Metrology Commission under the WSG 3 that
covers legal, scientific, and industrial aspects of metrology. |
ALADI |
|
CARICOM |
The individual countries
are supported by the Regional Body to a limited extent to develop
their metrological capabilities. Many countries have been
participating in the SIM hemispheric intercomparison measurements to
ensure that the regions measurements are traceable to the
International primary standards. |
Continue to: B.
Participation in the Inter-American Metrology
System (SIM)
|