Page 24 - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

(b) provide another Party or Parties that may be seriously
affected with a reasonable opportunity for consultation with
respect to matters related to such prohibition or restriction.

Article 2.18: Technical Consultations on Non-Tariff Measures

1. A Party may request technical consultations with another Party on
a measure it considers to be adversely affecting its trade. The
request shall be in writing and shall clearly identify the measure
and the concerns as to how the measure adversely affects trade
between the Party requesting technical consultations (hereinafter
referred to as “the requesting Party” in this Article) and the Party
to which a request has been made (hereinafter referred to as “the
requested Party” in this Article).

2. Where the measure is covered by another Chapter, any
consultation mechanism provided in that Chapter shall be used,
unless otherwise agreed between the requesting Party and the
requested Party (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the
consulting Parties” in this Article).

3. Except as provided in paragraph 2, the requested Party shall
respond to the requesting Party and enter into technical
consultations within 60 days of the receipt of the written request
referred to in paragraph 1, unless otherwise determined by the
consulting Parties, with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory
solution within 180 days of the request. Technical consultations
may be conducted via any means mutually agreed by the
consulting Parties.

4. Except as provided in paragraph 2, the request for technical
consultations shall be circulated to all the other Parties. Other
Parties may request to join the technical consultations on the
basis of interests set out in their requests. The participation of
any other Party is subject to the consent of the consulting Parties.
The consulting Parties shall give full consideration to such
requests.

5. If the requesting Party considers that a matter is urgent or involves
perishable goods, it may request that technical consultations take
place within a shorter time frame than that provided for under
paragraph 3.

6. Except as provided in paragraph 2, each Party shall submit an
annual notification to the Committee on Goods regarding any use

2-12