The Global EPAs Research Conference

Tokyo, 16-17 January 2017

Non-Tariff Measures data collection and Classification

Ralf Peters

UNCTAD

Essential for Classification:Definition of Non-Tariff Measures

• NTMs: Policy measures, other than ordinary customs tariffs, that can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both

• Examples:

– SPS, TBT

– Quotas, Import licenses, Anti-dumping …

• NTMs can increase or decrease trade;No judgment over legitimacy

NTM

. NTB

It all started in 2005 / 2006 …

• UNCTAD Expert Group Meeting on NTBs

• Group of Eminent Persons on NTBs

• Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST):FAO, IMF, ITC, OECD, UNCTAD, UNIDO, World Bank, WTO

The Common Language:International Classification of NTMs

• MAST group updated old UNCTAD

NTM classification

• Various steps of testing and revising

• International Classification of

Non-Tariff Measures

Version 2012

International Classification of NTMs

Tree structure – Example

A SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURESA1 Prohibitions/restrictions of imports for SPS reasons

A2 Tolerance limits for residues and restricted use of substances

(…)A8 Conformity Assessment related to SPS

A81 Product registration requirementA82 Testing requirement

A83 Certification requirement

A84 Inspection requirementA85 Traceability requirement

A851 Origin of materials and parts

A852 Processing historyA853 Distribution and location of products after

deliveryA859 Traceability requirements n.e.s.

A86 Quarantine requirement

A89 Conformity assessments related to SPS n.e.sA9 SPS Measures n.e.s.

B TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE

C PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION AND OTHER FORMALITIES D CONTINGENT TRADE PROTECTIVE MEASURES

E NON-AUTOMATIC LICENSING, QUOTAS, PROHIBITIONS …F PRICECONTROL MEASURES INCLUDING ADDIT. TAXES …

G FINANCE MEASURES

H MEASURES AFFECTING COMPETITION

I TRADE-RELATED INVESTMENT MEASURES

At this level of

coding: 177

measures in the

classification

Revision of Classification:Towards the Version 2017

• Revising well developed Chapters A to I and P

– From experience of data collection

– Example: More detailed technical export measrues

• Develop 5 chapters currently not disaggregated

– Rules of Origin

– Post-Sales Services and Distribution Restrictions

– Intellectual Property

– Government Procurement

– Subsidies

• Open MAST group-led process with other experts

– Next meeting 25 September 2017 (tbc) at UNCTAD

And Now? How to improve Transparency or Understanding of NTMs?

Transparency

Comprehensiveness

• All currently applied measures

• Official governmental sources

Comparability

• Consistent data collection methodology for all countries

• Data quality check by UNCTAD

• Revision of methodology

Accessibility

• NTMs classified by nomenclature

• Products classified by Harmonized System

• Affected countries

• Full regulation detail

2nd Step: Data

NTM data collection of official measures

• From here… …to here

8

NTMs and Transparency: 57 countries and 80 per cent of world trade

This is a joint effort

Transparency in Trade Initiative: AfDB, ITC, UNCTAD, World Bank

Other partners and donors: ALADI, ERIA, WTO; Canada, EC, GRIPS,

Japan, Russian Federation, United States

unctad.org/ntm

Currently: China, Korea, EEC, ..

Updating, Japan, ….

Observations: 40'000 (by measure and country)

Variables in the database per obs.: 67

Accessing the TRAINS data: e.g. i-tip.unctad.org

Descriptive data analysis: Frequency Ratio

02

04

06

08

01

00

Pe

rce

nt

BR

N

CH

N

IDN

KH

M

MY

SS

GP

TH

A

VN

M

KA

Z

AU

S

CA

N

EU

N

JP

N

NZ

LU

SA

AR

G

BO

L

BR

A

CH

L

CO

L

EC

U

GT

M

HN

D

ME

X

NIC

PA

NP

ER

PR

Y

SL

V

UR

Y

IND

LK

A

NP

L

PA

KB

EN

CIV

CP

V

ETH

GIN

GM

B

NE

R

NG

A

SE

N

TG

O

Percentage of imported hs6 digit lines coveredby a technical NTM in non-agricultural products

East Asia Transition Economies

Developped Latin America

South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa

Source: UNCTAD TRAINS database

Classification and Data as a sound basis for… …

The UNCTAD Programme on Non-Tariff Measures and Regulatory Policies

To increase transparency and understanding of trade control

measures and regulations for policies to better promote sustainable

development

Find out more about MAST

unctad.org/ntm