WTO Rules and Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

The document argues that WTO rules do not prevent the implementation of an ambitious plastics treaty, as multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) can restrict trade without violating trade law. It highlights that GATT Article XX provides general exceptions for measures necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life and health, or the conservation of exhaustible natural resources. To avoid trade challenges, the brief recommends that the treaty use precise, science-based obligations, ensure non-Party trade measures mirror those between Parties, and explicitly articulate the links between plastic pollution and public health and biodiversity.

• WTO rules do not preclude States from implementing trade restrictions within a plastics treaty, and historically, no actions by a WTO member to comply with the trade measures of a multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) have been challenged by another member as of May 2023.

APA

de Anzizu, H., Siegwart, K., & Harrington, A. R. (n.d.). WTO Rules and Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WTO-Rules-and-Key-Elements_May25_V2-3.pdf

Chicago

de Anzizu, Helionor, Karine Siegwart, and Alexandra R. Harrington. WTO Rules and Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. Center for International Environmental Law, n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WTO-Rules-and-Key-Elements_May25_V2-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=de Anzizu |first1=Helionor |last2=Siegwart |first2=Karine |last3=Harrington |first3=Alexandra R. |title=WTO Rules and Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WTO-Rules-and-Key-Elements_May25_V2-3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{deanzizundwto, author = {de Anzizu, Helionor and Siegwart, Karine and Harrington, Alexandra R.}, title = {{WTO Rules and Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WTO-Rules-and-Key-Elements_May25_V2-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }