The quality‐related international trade agreements of the World Trade Organization and their implications for quality professionals

Abstract

This article highlights the main principles and provisions contained in the WTO’s product quality related agreements, i.e. the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) which apply, to a large extent, to quality concepts and practices in relation to the design, production, packaging, transportation and distribution of goods in international trade (exports and imports) such as standards, technical regulations (mandatory standards) and quality assurance procedures (testing, inspection, certification, accreditation). From this angle, quality professionals should be aware of the main principles and provisions embodied in the agreements so that their decisions and advice provided are consistent with the international trade rules which govern world trade and facilitate the accessibility of products to international markets.

Citation

Sierra, E. (1999), "The quality‐related international trade agreements of the World Trade Organization and their implications for quality professionals", The TQM Magazine, Vol. 11 No. 6, pp. 396-401. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544789910287683