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Technical Barriers to Trade
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) are technical regulations and standards.
They include packaging and labelling requirements on goods traded internationally, and are governed by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (the TBT Agreement).
The TBT agreement
The TBT Agreement deals with procedures for testing and certifying conformity to technical regulations (compulsory) and standards (voluntary) governing international trade.
All WTO Members are required to meet and uphold the principles and obligations of the TBT Agreement.
The TBT Agreement does not cover measures that come under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement). For information see DAFF's role in SPS measures and policy.
The role of DAFF
Technical barriers to trade can create interruptions and stifle trade opportunities.
DAFF works with Australia’s trading partners and other government agencies to hold open discussion on TBT measures impacting on both imports and exports of agricultural, fisheries and forestry goods.
DAFF also works with other Australian government agencies to develop domestic policies, such as food labelling laws, which are covered by the TBT Agreement.
DAFF works closely with its overseas counsellors and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade diplomatic network, and relies on its relationships with counterpart agencies overseas to resolve TBT issues.
Further information
The WTO TBT gateway provides direct links to all information provided by the WTO that is relevant to the TBT Agreement including:
- an introduction to WTO rules on technical barriers to trade and understanding the TBT agreement
- a technical explanation of the WTO Agreement on TBT
- annual reports and reviews from the TBT committee along with TBT committee meeting minutes and decisions and recommendations
- subscription to receive TBT notifications by e-mail, and
- notification by members, of events and mutual recognition agreements under the TBT agreement.