Page 265 - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

in paragraph 5, including their development and application, with (b) cooperation between conformity assessment bodies, both
a view to facilitating the acceptance of the results of conformity governmental and non-governmental, in the Parties, on
assessment procedures. matters of mutual interest;

7. The Parties recognise the important role that relevant (c) cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the work of
international, including regional, organisations can play in relevant regional and international bodies relating to the
cooperation in the area of conformity assessment. In this regard, development and application of standards and conformity
each Party shall take into consideration the participation status or assessment procedures, such as enhancing participation
membership in such organisations of relevant bodies in the in the frameworks for mutual recognition developed by
Parties in facilitating this cooperation. relevant regional and international bodies;

8. The Parties agree to encourage cooperation between their (d) enhancing cooperation in the development and
relevant conformity assessment bodies in working closer with a improvement of standards, technical regulations, and
view to facilitating the acceptance of conformity assessment conformity assessment procedures; and
results between Parties.
(e) strengthening communication and coordination in the
9. Each Party shall, whenever possible, permit the participation of WTO TBT Committee and other relevant international or
conformity assessment bodies in another Party in its conformity regional fora.
assessment procedures under conditions no less favourable than
those accorded to conformity assessment bodies in the Party. 4. Each Party shall, on request of another Party, give consideration
to sector specific proposals for mutual benefit for cooperation
10. Where a Party permits participation of its conformity assessment under this Chapter.
bodies and does not permit participation of conformity
assessment bodies in another Party in its conformity assessment
procedures, it shall, on request of that other Party, explain the Article 6.10: Technical Discussions
reason for its refusal decision.
1. When a Party considers the need to resolve an issue related to
trade and provisions under this Chapter, it may make a written
Article 6.9: Cooperation request for technical discussions. The requested Party shall
respond as early as possible to such a request.
1. The Parties shall strengthen their cooperation in the field of
standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment 2. The requested Party shall enter into technical discussions with the
procedures, consistent with the objectives of this Chapter. requesting Party within 60 days, unless otherwise mutually
determined by the Parties concerned, with a view to reaching a
2. Each Party shall, on request of another Party, give positive mutually satisfactory solution. Technical discussions may be
consideration to proposals for cooperation on matters of mutual conducted via any means agreed by the Parties concerned.
interest on standards, technical regulations, and conformity
assessment procedures.
Article 6.11: Transparency
3. Such cooperation, which shall be on mutually determined terms
and conditions, may include: 1. The Parties recognise the importance of the provisions relating to
transparency in the TBT Agreement. In this respect, the Parties
(a) advice, technical assistance or capacity building relating to shall take into account relevant decisions and recommendations
the development and application of standards, technical in the Decisions and Recommendations adopted by the WTO
regulations, and conformity assessment procedures; Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade since 1 January 1995

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