Overall Aims

The main aims of SADCTRLC are:

· Preparing recommendations regarding SADC Technical Regulation policy issues relating to the TBT Annex;

· Developing and making available guidelines and other tools for the national implementation of the SADC Technical Regulation Framework in the Member States; and

· Providing a forum for the identification of common technical regulations to be implemented in the Region

· Ensuring that the functions are pursued in accordance with the aims and objectives of the TBT Annex.

Functions

The functions of the SADC Technical Regulation Liaison Committee shall, inter alia, be to:

a) Develop mechanisms to facilitate the incorporation of harmonized standards in technical regulations;

b) Request the SQAM Cooperation Structures to develop appropriate standards and conformity assessment procedures for use in the regulatory domain;

c) Monitor and review the implementation of the SADC technical regulation framework and the other obligations in terms of the TBT Annex by the SADC Member States;

d) Develop a common SADC position regarding WTO TBT Agreement issues for eventual use by Member State delegations at the WTO TBT Technical Committee; and

e) Be involved in mediation and conciliation in respect of technical regulations, if required, before Article 32 of the Trade Protocol is invoked.