Trade Agreements and Economic Partnerships

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) offers policy advice and information to the federal government on standardization issues encompassed in numerous international trade agreements and regional partnerships, to which Canada is a signatory:

World Trade Organization  (WTO)is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade among nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly and freely as possible.  At the heart of the WTO are the agreements, signed by many trading nations, which are legal ground rules for international trade and commerce.

• The Technical Barriers to Trade  (TBT) Agreement within the WTO ensures that regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade, as standards can differ among countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade offers a Canadian perspective on the WTO.

The North American Free Trade Agreement  (NAFTA) is world's largest free trade area among Canada, Mexico and the United States, and is an example of the benefits of trade liberalization. Chapter 11 of the Agreement focuses on Technical Barriers to Trade and Standards-related measures.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade offers a Canadian perspective on NAFTA.

The Free Trade Area of the Americas  (FTAA) , currently under negotiation, is a collaboration among the 34 governments in the Americas to ensure a free market of goods and services by 2005. There are 10 negotiating groups discussing isses from market access to agriculture. Standards and technical barriers to trade are being negotiated within the Market Access group.  DFAIT is the lead on Canadian negotiations with SCC providing input into the process.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade offers a Canadian perspective on the FTAA.

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation  (APEC) was formed in 1989 as a forum to facilitate economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.  It aims to help improve trade and economic performance and regional links for the prosperity of the people in the region.

• APEC-Sub-committee on Standards and Conformance was established in 1994 with the goal of eliminating trade distortions arising from domestic regulations and standardization activities.  Its primary purpose is to promote cooperation and joint initiatives, facilitate information exchange between member economies and monitor compliance with key APEC objectives. The SCSC has activities under four categories:
  
  • Alignment of members' national standards with international standards
  • Recognition among members of conformity assessment in the regulated and voluntary sectors
  • Promote cooperation for technical infrastructure development
  • Ensure the transparency of the standards and conformity assessments of members.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade offers a Canadian perspective on APEC.