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IntroductionAccess to world markets is not always

unrestricted for UK and European Union (EU) exporters. To open up new markets and trading opportunities - and to keep markets open - the UK is committed to working towards the removal of trade barriers. Providing equal access to markets encourages free and fair competition which benefits suppliers and consumers. Increasing market access on fair terms, and keeping markets open ensures that the rules-based international trading system functions efficiently.

What is a Trade Barrier?Trade barriers are often tariffs and taxes

imposed to protect - or favour - local producers. International efforts to remove these discriminatory tariffs have been ongoing for over 50 years, coordinated initially by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, followed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and nine rounds of the international trade negotiations which govern the current WTO system.

Non-Tariff BarriersNon-tariff barriers are increasingly

significant and varied and can be more difficult to overcome. Some non-tariff barriers have sensitive cultural and social issues, or appeal to legitimate concerns, which must be considered. Other non-tariff barriers can create unjustified obstacles to fair trade and can come in many forms, such as:

Non-Tariff BarriersTechnical regulations, standards and conformity

assessment proceduresLabelling rulesPoor protection of intellectual property rights

and geographical indicatorsMisuse of sanitary and phytosanitary measuresUnfair subsidiesUnjustified trade defence measures - such as

anti-dumping actionsDiscriminatory taxation and other additional fees

Non-Tariff BarriersAd hoc bans and prohibitions on imports - eg

those implemented on the basis of spurious claims to protect the health and safety of citizens

Non-automatic licensing proceduresCustoms proceduresQuantitative restrictionsGovernment procurementRestrictions on access to raw materialsBarriers to trade in services and investment

Non-Tariff BarriersThey can also be any combination of these and

overcoming each requires a different approach.

Trade barriers can also be created if countries breach the rules and commitments they have legally entered into - mainly WTO or bilateral trade agreements. This may be as a result of poor interpretation, misunderstanding of agreements, or may be intentional.

Non-Tariff BarriersSome barriers do not breach specific rules. In

these instances, bilateral discussions - sometimes working jointly with the UK's trading partners - with the countries concerned may be possible in order to find a mutually beneficial solution. However, problems sometimes arise which can only be addressed through more formal arrangements - such as consultations - or under the WTO's dispute settlement arrangements.

Non-Tariff BarriersThe WTO Technical Barriers to Trade and

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreements require countries to notify the WTO if they are introducing certain new measures which will affect international trade. This 'early warning' system allows other countries to question - or challenge - proposed measures before they come into effect and assists UK efforts to engage with businesses to help keep markets open.

Non-Tariff BarriersThe WTO agreement on SPS (SPS

Agreement) sets out the basic WTO rules on food safety and animal and plant health measures.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) leads on the SPS Agreement in the UK.

What should I do if I come across trade barriers?If you are facing barriers to your export

trade, contact either the Market Access Unit (MAU) at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) or its partner organisation, UK Trade & Investment, which also works to keep markets open by challenging barriers to trade and investment.

What should I do if I come across trade barriers?The MAU and UK Trade & Investment will

look for the most effective way of dealing with barriers to trade - through trade dialogue and diplomacy with the country in question, or through the European Commission. European Union member states work closely with the commission on trade issues, and are involved in discussions on whether or not to include a particular trade issue in future negotiations with the country in question.

The European Commission's Market Access StrategyThe European Commission has implemented a

renewed Market Access Strategy to tackle barriers to trade and investment. The strategy involves the creation of specialised Working Groups in Brussels and Market Access Teams on the ground in key third-country markets to deal with specific trade barriers. The teams rely on co-operation between member state representative bodies - including UK Trade & Investment - the local European Union (EU) delegation and businesses to push for the removal of the barriers in question. They establish a best practice approach based on their experience in removing trade barriers.

The European Commission's Market Access StrategyIn some cases, barriers occur which are not linked to

breaches of any specific trade rules. The commission and member states may enter into bilateral discussions about the problems with the countries concerned with the aim of finding a mutually beneficial solution. Alternatively, the UK may ask the commission to look at the prospects for challenging trade barriers through more formal procedures including through World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement arrangements or through dispute settlement arrangements forming part of bilateral agreements the EU has signed with certain countries.

The Market Access Database (MADB)The MADB is an interactive database containing

information on cases of trade barriers worldwide, which helps to identify and remove barriers. You can use the database to check the export situation by product, sector or country and to identify the possible significance of such barriers. The MADB is a way for EU governments to prioritise the manner in which such barriers should be tackled, and their urgency. The database also contains information on applied tariffs and has an Exporters' Guide to Import Formalities in key markets.

The Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR)The TBR is a legal instrument that gives the

right to EU businesses, industries or their trade associations to log a complaint with the European Commission if a third country has a trade barrier or obstacle in place which adversely affects EU exports of goods or services. Under the TBR, the commission is able to investigate complaints about violations of international trade rules and propose solutions to eliminate them.

The Market Access NewsletterThe European Commission issues a monthly

newsletter which reports on market access activities, shares best practice and acts as a communication platform to all relevant customers.

The Technical Barriers to Trade AgreementA technical barrier to trade exists when a

country applies technical regulations, standards - including packaging, marking and labelling standards - or procedures for assessing compliance with these standards, in such a way as to impose an unnecessary restriction on international trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union (EU) have separate procedures to help exporters experiencing obstacles to their trade with other countries.

The WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) AgreementThe WTO TBT Agreement goes some way towards

addressing such barriers by requiring countries to act in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The agreement aims to ensure that regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade. It provides a notification procedure that requires all WTO members to notify their proposed technical regulations. This allows members to comment on proposed measures before they are adopted. However, technical barriers remain a major impediment to international trade.

The EU and the WTOAll 27 EU member states are individual

members of the WTO, but the EU negotiates and acts within the WTO as a single body. The European Commission represents the EU member states on the TBT Committee which ensures that technical regulations and standards do not constitute unnecessary barriers to trade.

The EU and the WTOIt is envisaged that the commission's work

with the TBT Committee will inform the work of the Market Access Teams.

In cases of disputed trade barrier cases, the Commission can initiate action under the WTO's Dispute Settlement Procedures. However, this is a last resort.

UK TBT Enquiry Point and notificationsThe TBT Agreement requires individual countries

to set up national TBT Enquiry Points. You can enquire about technical barriers to trade and register your interests in particular markets so that you can be alerted to proposed technical measures that may present market access difficulties if they are implemented. The UK TBT Enquiry Point at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) receives details of such measures notified to the WTO, and is there to disseminate such information and to receive your comments and concerns.

UK TBT Enquiry Point and notificationsUK TBT Enquiry PointTrade Policy Unit3VICTORIA31 Victoria StreetLondonSW1H 0ET

You can also contact the UK TBT Enquiry Point by email at marketaccess@bis.gsi.gov.uk.

UK TBT Enquiry Point and notificationsThe commission also has a TBT Enquiry Point in

Brussels:EC TBT Enquiry PointEnterprise and Industry Directorate GeneralUnit ENTR/C/3Avenue d'Auderghem 451040 BrusselsBelgium

You can contact the EC TBT Enquiry Line on Tel +32 2 295 1860, or by email at ec-tbt@ec.europa.eu

Technical Standards and Regulations Directive 98/34 EC (as amended)There is also a separate European

notification system for technical regulations. This acts as an 'early warning' system, requiring all EU member states, the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), Switzerland and Turkey to notify the commission about its proposals to change technical regulations relating to manufactured and agricultural products, including fish products.

Technical Standards and Regulations Directive 98/34 EC (as amended)The Directive also covers information on

society services - ie any service supplied at a distance, by electronic means and at the individual request of the person receiving the services. After notifying the Commission, the country must then wait for three months before applying its new rules, allowing other countries to comment on whether they believe the new regulations will constitute a technical barrier to trade.

British Standards Institution (BSI)BSI is not a government body but their

Technical Information group may be able to help you overcome technical barriers to trade and ensure that your products comply with the technical requirements of the target market. These requirements are often complex, and may be frequently revised. BSI provides up-to-date information on standards, regulations, inspection companies, packaging and labelling requirements and language.

British Standards Institution (BSI)You can address enquiries regarding TBT issues

covered by paragraph 10.3 of the WTO TBT Agreement to:

BSI WTO Enquiry Point for StandardisationBSI389 Chiswick High RoadLondonW4 4AL

You can contact the BSI WTO Enquiry Line on Tel 020 8996 7004 or reach them by email at knowledgecentre@bsigroup.com.

FormalitiesAll the information provided is for informational

purposes only and you should seek specialist personalised advice as required. As such, we accept no liability for the actions taken by the readers of this slideshow.

All information was provided by Business Link and is covered by Crown Copyright.

All information is available as shown below: BusinessLink (2012) Market access for UK exporters - removing trade

barriers. Available at: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.i=1084145401&r.l1=1079717544&r.l2=1087336726&r.l3=1087336842&r.l4=108414048

2&r.s=sc&r.t=RESOURCES&topicId=1084140482 [Accessed: 30th August 2012]

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