Measuring the Impact of Measuring the Impact of SPS Standards on SPS Standards on

Market Access*Market Access*

Tim JoslingTim Josling

Stanford UniversityStanford University

* Co-author of IPC paper on SPS Standards and Market Access is Donna Roberts

The GoalThe Goal

A comprehensive, consistent database of SPS A comprehensive, consistent database of SPS standardsstandards

Use for increasing transparency of measuresUse for increasing transparency of measures

Use for assessing quantitative implications for Use for assessing quantitative implications for tradetrade

Use for process of improving application of SPS Use for process of improving application of SPS standards without unnecessarily impeding tradestandards without unnecessarily impeding trade

At present, situation is akin to 1980s attempts to At present, situation is akin to 1980s attempts to bring transparency to trade impacts of “farm bring transparency to trade impacts of “farm policy” policy”

2WTO Public Forum 30 September 2009

TRAINSTRAINS

UNCTAD has had a database that included UNCTAD has had a database that included non-tariff trade barriers (TRAINS)non-tariff trade barriers (TRAINS)

Need for overhaulNeed for overhaul Coverage incomplete (relies on SPS Coverage incomplete (relies on SPS

notifications of new standards)notifications of new standards) Lacks enough detail for empirical applicationsLacks enough detail for empirical applications

An updated and improved TRAINS would be An updated and improved TRAINS would be an important part of the solutionan important part of the solution

3WTO Public Forum 30 September 2009

Four Recent InitiativesFour Recent Initiatives

USDA constructed a database on fresh fruit and USDA constructed a database on fresh fruit and vegetable regimes from APHIS manualsvegetable regimes from APHIS manuals

UNCTAD EPG set up a multi-agency study team UNCTAD EPG set up a multi-agency study team (MAST) to develop new classification scheme. Pilot (MAST) to develop new classification scheme. Pilot studies underwaystudies underway

NTM-IMPACT initiative (19 research institutes) to NTM-IMPACT initiative (19 research institutes) to develop the methodological and analytic develop the methodological and analytic underpinnings of a SPS databaseunderpinnings of a SPS database

ICTSD developing a CIMA to combine data on tariffs ICTSD developing a CIMA to combine data on tariffs (and subsidies) with cost of compliance with market (and subsidies) with cost of compliance with market access requirementsaccess requirements

4WTO Public Forum 30 September 2009

Common FactorsCommon Factors

Each takes a realistic approach to complexity Each takes a realistic approach to complexity of SPS standardsof SPS standards

Each avoids pre-judgment of “legitimacy” of Each avoids pre-judgment of “legitimacy” of measuremeasure

Each provides data that can be used in Each provides data that can be used in quantitative modelsquantitative models

Each helps developing countries that have Each helps developing countries that have limited resources to compile their own limited resources to compile their own databasedatabase

5WTO Public Forum 30 September 2009

ConclusionConclusion

Need for institutional leadership and adequate Need for institutional leadership and adequate resources for database improvementresources for database improvement

Consortia of institutions probably necessary to Consortia of institutions probably necessary to find resourcesfind resources

Links with regional initiatives desirableLinks with regional initiatives desirable

Complementary to improved notificationsComplementary to improved notifications

Could provide data for SPS TRPCould provide data for SPS TRP

Would improve quantitative modeling effortsWould improve quantitative modeling efforts

6WTO Public Forum 30 September 2009