Members of the Committee on Market Access (CMA) have agreed on a timetable for thematic sessions in 2024, focusing on supply chain resilience and promoting a greener Harmonized System (HS). This system is used to classify traded goods in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO). The meeting, held on March 25-26, also addressed numerous trade concerns and elected Mr. Kenya Uehara of Japan as interim Chair.
Outgoing Chair Renata Cristaldo of Paraguay proposed thematic sessions moderated by WTO members. The United Kingdom will moderate sessions on supply chain resilience, while Ecuador will lead an exploratory session on visualizing a greener HS in collaboration with the WCO.
Members adopted ad referendum a procedure to facilitate multiple transpositions of WTO schedules into the latest HS version. This initiative, proposed by Japan, aims to streamline updating members' schedules to align with the most recent HS nomenclature version. If no objections arise by June 18, 2024, the decision will be approved by the CMA and forwarded for adoption.
Ms. Gael Grooby, WCO Acting Director of Tariff and Trade Affairs, updated members on progress made at the latest Harmonized System Committee session. Significant amendments were made to the HS 2028 edition. She noted that a proposal regarding face masks and respirators was provisionally adopted and slated for presentation in June 2025.
Discussions included vaccines proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting collaborative efforts towards global health initiatives. Ms. Grooby emphasized ongoing discussions to improve classification of essential medical goods and sustainable plastics trade.
The Secretariat presented a report titled “Quantitative restrictions: Factual information on notification received,” summarizing QR notifications status as of March 6, 2024. It indicates that until that date, 62 members submitted notifications across various biennial periods.
The Chair highlighted these notifications' role in promoting transparency and noted that some members have yet to notify their quantitative restrictions. Ms. Cristaldo reminded members about submitting complete notifications for 2024-2026 by September 30.
Updates were provided on efforts to enhance the Tariff Analysis Online facility's user interface and data preparation process. A prototype is expected soon. Four members reached agreements for automatic electronic data transmission with others actively engaged in similar discussions.
Regarding submissions to the WTO's Integrated Database (IDB), it was reported that out of 136 expected submissions for applied tariffs, only 84 had been completed by March 20, 2024.
Members discussed various specific trade concerns (STCs), including new issues related to offshore wind energy policies and pharmaceutical product marketing authorization among others.
Mr. Kenya Uehara will serve as interim Chair until consultations finalize names for CTG subsidiary bodies' chairs. The next formal CMA meeting is scheduled for November 19-20, with informal meetings planned for June 11 and December 9.