WTO TBT Committee Advances Standards and Transparency Tools

The WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee addressed a range of regulatory and standards issues at its July 2026 meeting, focusing on emerging technologies, climate-resilient construction, and battery standards. The session also included updates to transparency procedures and digital platforms for member notifications.

During the meeting, the Committee adopted revised notification formats under the TBT Agreement’s Code of Good Practice, aiming to improve transparency and streamline the notification process. The WTO Secretariat introduced a pilot function on the ePing platform to support domestic consultations and facilitate feedback on regulations notified by trading partners.

Members reviewed 70 specific trade concerns, with 17 new issues raised in areas such as organic products, recycled plastics, biofuels, decarbonization, cybersecurity, digital product passports, vehicles, railway systems, telecommunications equipment, food, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Australia withdrew its concern about India’s Quality Control Order for cotton bales following India’s decision to rescind the measure.

The United States reported that most of its concerns regarding Colombia’s food-fortification requirements were addressed after Colombia extended the implementation period, clarified which products were covered, and granted exemptions for certain imported processed foods and rice varieties. Kenya stated it had made progress on China’s regulations for supervision and administration of medical devices.

What the numbers show

• 70 specific trade concerns reviewed at the July 2026 meeting
• 17 new trade concerns introduced by members
• The 11th Triennial Review is scheduled for completion by November 2027
• Four national ePing workshops held in Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania
• Next TBT Committee meeting set for 11-13 November 2026

Comoros, which joined the WTO in 2024, presented its first notification of legal and institutional arrangements for implementing the TBT Agreement and submitted a technical regulation notification on plastic packaging. The Committee also agreed on the timeline for the 11th Triennial Review of the TBT Agreement, targeting completion by November 2027.

The Secretariat provided updates on the ePing project, which is supported by the Standards and Trade Development Facility. National workshops were conducted in several African countries, and the United Kingdom shared its experience using ePing during a stakeholder engagement event.

In July 2026, the Committee held thematic sessions on standards for lithium-ion batteries, biofuels, clean energy, and climate adaptation in buildings. Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and related agencies participated actively, raising eight specific trade concerns and leading the session on lithium-ion batteries.

Background developments include the Committee’s adoption of guidelines and an online format for submitting Article 15.2 notifications in March 2024, as well as the adoption of coherent notification formats and guidelines at the November 2025 meeting. The next regular TBT Committee meeting is scheduled for November 2026.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.