FINAL REPORT: STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE

The report assesses the capacity of developing countries in South America, South Asia, and Southern & Eastern Africa to comply with international trade standards. It argues that while regional cooperation in accreditation, early-warning systems, and awareness-raising can offset national institutional weaknesses, the WTO's TBT Agreement is often unrealistic for 'standards-takers' who lack the scientific and legal capacity to influence international standards or prove their inappropriateness. The report recommends integrating technical assistance needs into national development plans and establishing mediation mechanisms outside the formal WTO dispute process.

• Developing countries generally act as standards "takers" rather than "makers," lacking the human and financial resources to track or influence the development of international standards.
• The WTO's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) is described as a "wishful document" that ignores the capacity gap between developed and developing nations and fails to address supply-chain requirements set by non-governmental bodies.
• In Southern & Eastern Africa, a "standards divide" exists where most countries lack the basic institutional capacity to benefit from TBT and SPS Agreements, with South Africa being the only surveyed country possessing the necessary capacity.
• South American countries, excluding Brazil, exhibit significant weaknesses in national leadership of standardization organizations and coordination between public agencies, as well as a failure to integrate NGO certification systems into national bodies.
• In South Asia, regional cooperation is hindered by political tensions and mistrust, though potential exists due to similar export sectors such as textiles, leather, tea, and fish.
• Article 11 of the TBT Agreement, which mandates technical assistance, is viewed as insufficient because it may displace other national development priorities if not integrated into long-term national planning.
• The report suggests that increasing the influence of developing countries in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) should focus on governing bodies, such as the Technical Management Board, rather than just increasing participation in technical committees.
• The formal WTO dispute settlement process is often inaccessible to developing countries due to high costs and political risks, suggesting a need for a collaborative mediation mechanism outside the WTO.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2004). FINAL REPORT: STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/standards_final_report_2004.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. FINAL REPORT: STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE. 2004. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/standards_final_report_2004.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=FINAL REPORT: STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE |date=31 January 2004 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/standards_final_report_2004.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2004final, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{FINAL REPORT: STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2004}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/standards_final_report_2004.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }