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“Making Trade Work” – ILAC and IAF to host session at the WTO Public Forum

17 Oct 2019

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has accepted a proposal from ILAC and IAF to host a working session on October 1st at the WTO’s Annual Public Forum to promote the role that accreditation plays to support trade.

The session will cite case studies and research papers that demonstrate how accredited certification, testing and inspection support cross-border trade.

 

A growing body of evidence indicates that accredited testing, certification and inspection have a positive effect on international trade, as well as on the quality, environmental friendliness, safety, reliability, efficiency, and the interoperability of products and services.

 

A common core principle of IAF, ILAC and IIOC is to facilitate trade through the removal of technical barriers to trade through the global acceptance of certificates, and so the session will be closely aligned to the umbrella theme of the conference; “Trade Works”.

 

This year’s Public Forum, which marks the 20th anniversary of the WTO, will review how trade works through the multilateral system to boost growth, lift people out of poverty, increase access to goods and medicines, and promote mutually-beneficial relationships between nations. Looking ahead, delegates will also look at those areas where trade can work better and where the WTO can do more.

 

The session will take place on 1st October at 09:00 at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. Members are encouraged to promote the working session to their national trade officials and regulatory contacts.

 

Further information on the Public Forum can be read here.