TBT and SPS

SIMILARITIES

The two Agreements have some common elements, including:

  • the requirement that a measure be the least trade restrictive;
  • disciplines regarding control and inspection procedures (Conformity Assessment Procedures in the TBT Agreement, and Control, Inspection and Approval procedures in SPS Agreement);
  • basic obligations of non-discrimination and similar requirements for the advance notification of proposed measures, and
  • the creation of information offices (so-called transparency requirements).

Both Agreements encourage the use of international standards in order to promote harmonization.