Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)

Standards, regulations and conformity assessment procedures can become technical barriers to trade (TBT). ASTEP aims to reduce TBTs between Singapore and Chinese Taipei through the establishment of a framework of provisions:

• A commitment that each Party should accord to conformity assessment bodies located in the other Party treatment no less favourable than what it accords to conformity assessment bodies in its own jurisdiction.
• The Parties are encouraged to use a broad range of mechanisms to facilitate the acceptance of conformity assessment procedures conducted in the other Party;
• Regulatory dialogue and cooperation is encouraged to facilitate the acceptance of conformity assessment results, to support greater regulatory alignment and to eliminate unnecessary technical trade barriers;
• International standards, guides and recommendations are to be used as the basis for technical regulations whenever possible; and
• A commitment that the Parties will engage in technical discussions with a view to resolving issues as they arise.