World Trade Organization (WTO)

I. EPA regulations modified in line with WTO entry commitments

Lifting limitations on the import of diesel-fueled passenger cars:
During its application to enter the WTO, Taiwan made a commitment
to open up to imports of diesel-fueled passenger cars within 2 ears!
The Department of "ir #ualit $rotection and %oise &ontrol re'ised
the ()tandard for air pollutant emission * passenger 'ehicles
powered * diesel or alternati'e fuels+ * adding emission criteria for
diesel-fueled passenger cars, in line with the commitment of opening
up to imports of such 'ehicles * ,an -, 2../!
Lifting limitations on the imports of hea' motorccles greater than
-0.&&: During its application to enter the WTO, Taiwan made a
commitment to open up to imports of hea' motorccles greater
than -0.&& within 1 months! To 2eep this commitment, the
Department of "ir #ualit $rotection and %oise &ontrol re'ised the
(3ehicular "ir $ollutant 4mission )tandards+ on Dec 21, 2..-, *
adding emission criteria for motorccles with a large engine 'olume!
The emission criteria for motorccles of 5..&& or more specified in
the Taiwan-6)" agreement was adapted!
II. Environmental agenda in WTO Doha meeting
7n %o'em*er 2..-, at the /
th
WTO ministerial conference in
Doha, #atar, the Doha De'elopment "genda was appro'ed, in
which the participating countries agreed on a new round of
negotiations! The agenda of the new negotiations includes such
issues as imports of agricultural and non-agricultural products, trade
in ser'ices, trade rules, resolution of disputes, trade and
en'ironment, trade-related intellectual propert rights, trade and
de'elopment! The issues in the new negotiations that concern the
4$" are trade and de'elopment (which will *e led * the Trade and
4n'ironment &ommittee of the WTO) and en'ironmental ser'ices
(which will *e led * the 8oard of )er'ice Trades WTO!)
%ew WTO negotiations: The Trade and 4n'ironment &ommittee
of the WTO will lead the discussion on issues regarding trade and
en'ironment on the Doha "genda! 7ssues include the relationship
*etween specific trading o*ligations set * WTO codes and
multilateral en'ironmental agreements, information e9change and
authorization of o*ser'ers, and deregulation of en'ironmental
products!
WTO negotiations on en'ironmental ser'ices: held primaril to
enhance the commitment of each mem*er countr to en'ironmental
ser'ices! :eld in Dec 2..0 in :ong ;ong, the 1
th
WTO <eeting of
<inisters =esponsi*le for Trade placed much emphasis on trade in
ser'ices! The emphasis was on accelerating the negotiations for
ser'ice *usinesses! The method of negotiation focused on re>uests
and responses! 7n addition to *ilateral negotiations, it was agreed
that multilateral negotiations would *e held as well (meaning that an
mem*er or group of mem*ers could ma2e demands to other
mem*er(s) indi'iduall or collecti'el to open up mar2ets!)
III. To ensure that Taiwans environmental protection regulations
comply with the transparency specifications in WTO technical codes
To compl with the transparenc specifications in WTO technical codes
related to trade, the 4$" has su*mitted notification documents in recent
ears, as re>uired! The 4$" has su*mitted: limitations for o'er-pac2aging of
products? motorccle emission criteria? limitations on the manufacture, import
and sale of dr cell *atteries? drafts for regulations such as 'ehicular air
pollutant emission standards? limitations on the application of plastic tras
and pac2age *o9es? limitations on the import and sale of mercur
thermometers? and others, to the WTO for re'iew * mem*ers and in
compliance with WTO transparenc specifications!
I. Attendance at meetings
7n <arch 2..1, the 4$" sent a delegation to the $hilippines to attend the
(Discussion on 4n'ironmental $roducts and )er'ices to "sia+ to understand
e9actl the response and standpoint of de'eloping "sian countries on issues
of en'ironmental products and ser'ices related to the WTO! 7n <arch 2..1,
another delegation was sent to @ene'a, )witzerland to attend a (&ompliance
e'aluation procedure conference+ held * the WTOAT8T committee! 7n the
meeting, TaiwanBs (compliance e'aluation on 'ehicle emission and noise
criteria+ was presented and shared with other mem*ers! 7n %o'em*er 2.-2,
the 4$"Bs staffs attended the WTOA&T4 regular meeting and the Wor2shop on
4n'ironmental Technolog Dissemination! The delegation also ga'e a
presentation on inno'ati'e waste management in &hinese Taipei!