The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement has a transparency obligation that requires WTO member countries to publish and notify the WTO, which in turn notifies its member countries, of any draft technical regulations at least 60 days in advance of adoption.
In South Africa the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) serves as the notification point – the South African TBT Enquiry Point – providing a weekly "Early Warning System for WTO/TBT Notifications" email, which contains the notifications on all proposed technical regulations for a specific week. The notification urges recipients to read the notifications relating to their specific area of trade and to provide comment on the draft technical regulations five working days from the receipt of the alert.
The WTO notification contains the following information, (1) Notification Member; (2) Agency responsible; (3) Notified under Article; (4) Products covered (Harmonised System (HS) or Customs Commodity Code Number (CCCN)) where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. International Classification for Standards (ICS) numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable; (5) Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document; (6) Description of content; (7) Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable; (8) Relevant documents; (9) Proposed date of adoption and proposed date of entry into force; (10) Final date for comments; and (11) Text available from – National enquiry point.
The notifications on all draft technical regulations are for the week 26 January 2015 to 01 February 2015. Comment can be submitted to ronel.greyvenstein@sabs.co.za.
15-0663, Natural mineral water and spring water, Georgia, Natural mineral water and spring water, 2015/01/30
15-0688, Cosmetics, Republic of Korea, 2015/01/30
15-0689, Cosmetics, Republic of Korea, 2015/01/30
15-0690, Tobacco products, Kenya, 2015/01/30
15-0636, Infant formula, follow-up formula, and pre-packaged foods for infants and young children , Hong Kong, China, 2015/01/29
15-0637, Chemical products, Republic of Korea, 2015/01/29
15-0640, Fire extinguishing powder – Revision, Brazil, 2015/01/29
15-0629, Cotton , Brazil, 2015/01/28
15-0630, Parts and accessories for motor vehicles (brakes, radiators, mufflers, exhaust pipes, clutches, steering wheels, etc.) - Addendum, Brazil, 2015/01/28
15-0631, Reciprocating internal combustion engines for general use, Indonesia, 2015/01/28
15-0632, Health food, The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, 2015/01/28
15-0633, Health food, The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, 2015/01/28
15-0522, Labelling and marking of articles of leather - Addendum , 2015/01/26
15-0523, Ball and roller bearings – Addendum, Ecuador, 2015/01/26
15-0555, Paints and varnishes, United Arab Emirates - Paints and varnishes, 2015/01/26.