United States - Mexico - Canada Agreement (USMCA) (2018)
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(b) the period that it normally requires to reach a decision concerning an application for a license; and

(c) the terms and conditions of licenses in effect.

2. Each Party shall ensure that, on request, an applicant or licensee receives the reasons for the:

(a) denial of a license;

(b) imposition of supplier-specific conditions on a license;

(c) revocation of a license; or

(d) tefusal to renew a license.

Article 18.21. Allocation and Use of Scarce Resources

1. Each Party shall administer its procedures for the allocation and use of scarce telecommunications resources, including frequencies, numbers and rights-of-way, in an objective, timely, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner.

2. Each Party shall make publicly available the current state of frequency bands allocated and assigned to specific suppliers but retains the right not to provide detailed identification of frequencies that are allocated or assigned for specific government uses.

3. For greater certainty, a measure of a Party that allocates or assigns spectrum or manages frequency is not in itself inconsistent with Article 15.5 (Market Access) either as it applies to cross-border trade in services or through the operation of Article 15.2 (Scope) to an investor or covered investment of another Party. Accordingly, each Party retains the right to establish and apply spectrum and frequency management policies that may have the effect of limiting the number of suppliers of public telecommunications services, provided that the Party does so in a manner that is consistent with this Agreement. This includes the ability to allocate frequency bands, taking into account current and future needs and spectrum availability.

4. When making a spectrum allocation for commercial telecommunications services, each Party shall endeavor to rely on an open and transparent process that considers the public interest, including the promotion of competition.

5. Each Party shall endeavor to rely generally on market-based approaches in assigning spectrum for terrestrial commercial telecommunications services. To this end, each Party may use mechanisms such as auctions, if appropriate, to assign spectrum for commercial use.

Article 18.22. Enforcement

Each Party shall provide its competent authority the authority to enforce the Party's measures relating to the obligations set out in Article 18.3 (Access and Use), Article 18.4. (Obligations Relating to Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services), Article 18.5 (Treatment by Major Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services), Article 18.6 (Competitive Safeguards), Article 18.7 (Resale), Article 18.8 (Unbundling of Network Elements), Article 18.9 (Interconnection with Major Suppliers), Article 18.10 (Provisioning and Pricing of Leased Circuits Services), Article 18.11 (Co-Location), Article 18.12 (Access to Poles, Ducts, Conduits, and Rights-of-Way) and Article 18.13 (Submarine Cable Systems). That authority shall include the ability to impose effective sanctions, which may include financial penalties, injunctive relief (on an interim or final basis), corrective orders, or the modification, suspension, or revocation of licenses.

Article 18.23. Resolution of Disputes

1, Further to Article 29.3 (Administrative Proceedings) and Article 29.4 (Review and Appeal), each Party shall ensure that:

Recourse

(a) enterprises have recourse to the telecommunications regulatory body of the Party to resolve disputes with a supplier of public telecommunications services regarding the Party's measures relating to matters set out in Article 18.3 (Access and Use), Article 18.4 (Obligations Relating to Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services), Article 18.5 (Treatment by Major Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services), Article 18.6 (Competitive Safeguards), Article 18.7 (Resale), Article 18.8 (Unbundling of Network Elements), Article 18.9 (Interconnection with Major Suppliers), Article 18.10 (Provisioning and Pricing of Leased Circuits Services), Article 18.11 (Co-Location), Article 18.12 (Access to Poles, Ducts, Conduits, and Rights-of-Way), and Article 18.13 (Submarine Cable Systems);

(b) if the telecommunications regulatory body declines to initiate action on a request to resolve a dispute, it shall, on request, provide a written explanation for its decision within a reasonable period of time; (15)

(c) a supplier of public telecommunications services of another Party that has requested interconnection with a major supplier in the Party's territory has, within a reasonable and publicly specified period of time after the supplier requests interconnection, recourse to its telecommunications regulatory body to resolve disputes regarding the appropriate terms, conditions and rates for interconnection with that major supplier; and

Reconsideration (16)

(d) an enterprise whose legally protected interests are adversely affected by a determination or decision of the Party's telecommunications regulatory body may appeal to or petition the body to reconsider that determination or decision. No Party shall permit the making of an application for reconsideration to constitute grounds for non-compliance with the determination or decision of the telecommunications regulatory body, unless the regulatory body issues an order that the determination or decision not be enforced while the proceeding is pending. A Party may limit the circumstances under which reconsideration is available, in accordance with its laws and regulations.

Judicial Review

2. No Party shall permit the making of an application for judicial review to constitute grounds for non-compliance with the determination or decision of the telecommunications regulatory body, unless the judicial body issues an order that the determination or decision not be enforced while the proceeding is pending.

(15) For the United States, this subparagraph applies only to the national regulatory body.
(16) This subparagraph does not apply to Mexico. For Mexico, the general rules, acts or omissions of the Federal Telecommunications Institute may only be challenged through an indirect amparo trial before federal courts specialized in competition, broadcasting, and telecommunications and shall not be subject to injunction (suspension).

Article 18.24. Transparency

1, Further to Article 29.2 (Publication), each Party shall ensure that when its telecommunications regulatory body seeks input (17) for a proposal for a regulation, that body:

(a) makes the proposal public or otherwise available to any interested persons; (b) includes an explanation of the purpose of and reasons for the proposal;

(c) provides interested persons with adequate public notice of the ability to comment and reasonable opportunity for comment;

(d) to the extent practicable, makes publicly available all relevant comments filed with it; and

(e) responds to all significant and relevant issues raised in comments filed, in the course of issuance of the final regulation. (18)

2. Further to Article 29.2 (Publication), each Party shall ensure that its measures relating to public telecommunications services are publicly available, including:

(a) tariffs and other terms and conditions of service;

(b) specifications of technical interfaces;

(c) conditions for attaching terminal or other equipment to the public telecommunications network;

(d) licensing, permit, registration, or notification requirements, if any;

(e) general procedures relating to resolution of telecommunications disputes provided for in Article 18.23 (Resolution of Disputes); and

(f) any measures of the telecommunications regulatory body if the government delegates to other bodies the responsibility for preparing, amending, and adopting standards-related measures affecting access and use.

(17) For greater certainty, seeking input does not include internal governmental deliberations.
(18) For greater certainty, a Party may consolidate its responses to the comments received from interested persons.

Article 18.25. International Roaming Services

1. The Parties shall endeavor to cooperate on promoting transparent and reasonable rates for international mobile roaming services that can help promote the growth of trade between the Parties and enhance consumer welfare.

2. A Party may take steps to enhance transparency and competition with respect to international mobile roaming rates and technological alternatives to roaming services, such as:

(a) ensuring that information regarding retail rates is easily accessible to consumers; and

(b) minimizing impediments to the use of technological alternatives to roaming, whereby consumers can access telecommunications services using the device of their choice when visiting the territory of a Party from the territory of another Party.

Article 18.26. Relation to other Chapters

If there is an inconsistency between this Chapter and another Chapter of this Agreement, this Chapter shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

Article 18.27. Telecommunications Committee

1. The Parties hereby establish a Telecommunications Committee composed of government representatives of each Party.

2. The Telecommunications Committee shall:

(a) review and monitor the implementation and operation of this Chapter, with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the Chapter by enabling responsiveness to technological and regulatory developments in telecommunications to ensure the continuing relevance of this Chapter to Parties, service suppliers and end-users;

(b) discuss issues related to this Chapter and any other issues relevant to the telecommunications sector the Parties may decide;

(c) report to the Commission on the findings and the outcomes of its discussions; and (d) carry out other functions delegated to it by the Commission.

3. The Telecommunications Committee shall meet at venues and times as the Parties may decide.

4. The Parties may decide to invite representatives of relevant entities other than the Parties, including representatives of private sector entities, having the necessary expertise relevant to the issues to be discussed, to attend meetings of the Telecommunications Committee.

Chapter 19. DIGITAL TRADE

Article 19.1. Definitions

For the purposes of this Chapter:

Algorithm means a defined sequence of steps, taken to solve a problem or obtain a result;

computing facility means a computer server or storage device for processing or storing information for commercial use;

covered person means:

(a) a covered investment as defined in Article 1.5 (General Definitions);

(b) an investor of a Party as defined in Article 14.1 (Definitions); or

(c) a service supplier of a Party as defined in Article 15.1 (Definitions), but does not include a covered person as defined in Article 17.1 (Definitions);

digital product means a computer program, text, video, image, sound recording, or other product that is digitally encoded, produced for commercial sale or distribution, and that can be transmitted electronically. For greater certainty, digital product does not include a digitized representation of a financial instrument, including money; (1)

electronic authentication means the process or act of verifying the identity of a party to an electronic communication or transaction and ensuring the integrity of an electronic communication;

electronic signature means data in electronic form that is in, affixed to, or logically associated with, an electronic document or message, and that may be used to identify the signatory in relation to the electronic document or message and indicate the signatory's approval of the information contained in the electronic document or message;

government information means non-proprietary information, including data, held by the central government;

information content provider means a person or entity that creates or develops, in whole or in part, information provided through the Internet or another interactive computer service;

interactive computer service means a system or service that provides or enables electronic access by multiple users to a computer server;

personal information means information, including data, about an identified or identifiable natural person;

trade administration document means a form issued or controlled by a Party that must be completed by or for an importer or exporter in connection with the import or export of goods; and

unsolicited commercial electronic communication means an electronic message, which is sent to an electronic address of a person for commercial or marketing purposes without the consent of the recipient or despite the explicit rejection of the recipient. (2)

(1) This definition should not be understood to reflect a Party's view that digital products are a good or are a service.
(2) For the United States, an unsolicited commercial electronic communication does not include an electronic message sent primarily for purposes other than commercial or marketing purposes.

Article 19.2. Scope and General Provisions

1. The Parties recognize the economic growth and opportunities provided by digital trade and the importance of frameworks that promote consumer confidence in digital trade and of avoiding unnecessary barriers to its use and development.

2. This Chapter applies to measures adopted or maintained by a Party that affect trade by electronic means.

3. This Chapter does not apply:

(a) to government procurement; or

(b) except for Article 19.18 (Open Government Data), to information held or processed by or on behalf of a Party, or measures related to that information, including measures related to its collection.

4. For greater certainty, a measure that affects the supply of a service delivered or performed electronically is subject to Chapter 14 (Investment), Chapter 15 (Cross-Border Trade in Services), and Chapter 17 (Financial Services), including any exception or non-conforming measure set out in this Agreement that is applicable to the obligations contained in those Chapters.

Article 19.3. Customs Duties

1. No Party shall impose customs duties, fees, or other charges on or in connection with the importation or exportation of digital products transmitted electronically, between a person of one Party and a person of another Party.

2. For greater certainty, paragraph 1 does not preclude a Party from imposing internal taxes, fees, or other charges on a digital product transmitted electronically, provided that those taxes, fees, or charges are imposed in a manner consistent with this Agreement.

Article 19.4. Non-Discriminatory Treatment of Digital Products

1. No Party shall accord less favorable treatment to a digital product created, produced, published, contracted for, commissioned, or first made available on commercial terms in the territory of another Party, or to a digital product of which the author, performer, producer, developer, or owner is a person of another Party, than it accords to other like digital products. (3)

2. This Article does not apply to a subsidy or grant provided by a Party, including a government-supported loan, guarantee, or insurance.

(3) For greater certainty, to the extent that a digital product of a non-Party is a "like digital product," it will qualify as an "other like digital product" for the purposes of Article 19.4.1 (Non-Discriminatory Treatment of Digital Products).

Article 19.5. Domestic Electronic Transactions Framework

1. Each Party shall maintain a legal framework governing electronic transactions consistent with the principles of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce 1996.

2. Each Party shall endeavor to:

(a) avoid unnecessary regulatory burden on electronic transactions; and

(b) facilitate input by interested persons in the development of its legal framework for electronic transactions.

Article 19.6. Electronic Authentication and Electronic Signatures

1. Except in circumstances provided for under its law, a Party shall not deny the legal validity of a signature solely on the basis that the signature is in electronic form.

2. No Party shall adopt or maintain measures for electronic authentication and electronic signatures that would:

(a) prohibit parties to an electronic transaction from mutually determining the appropriate authentication methods or electronic signatures for that transaction; or

(b) prevent parties to an electronic transaction from having the opportunity to establish before judicial or administrative authorities that their transaction complies with any legal requirements with respect to authentication or electronic signatures.

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require that, for a particular category of transactions, the electronic signature or method of authentication meets certain performance standards or is certified by an authority accredited in accordance with its law.

4. Each Party shall encourage the use of interoperable electronic authentication.

Article 19.7. Online Consumer Protection

1. The Parties recognize the importance of adopting and maintaining transparent and effective measures to protect consumers from fraudulent or deceptive commercial activities as referred to in Article 21.4.2 (Consumer Protection) when they engage in digital trade.

2. Each Party shall adopt or maintain consumer protection laws to proscribe fraudulent and deceptive commercial activities that cause harm or potential harm to consumers engaged in online commercial activities.

3. The Parties recognize the importance of, and public interest in, cooperation between their respective national consumer protection agencies or other relevant bodies on activities related to cross-border digital trade in order to enhance consumer welfare. To this end, the Parties affirm that cooperation under paragraphs 21.4.3 through 21.4.5 (Consumer Protection) includes cooperation with respect to online commercial activities.

Article 19.8. Personal Information Protection

1. The Parties recognize the economic and social benefits of protecting the personal information of users of digital trade and the contribution that this makes to enhancing consumer confidence in digital trade.

2. To this end, each Party shall adopt or maintain a legal framework that provides for the protection of the personal information of the users of digital trade. In the development of this legal framework, each Party should take into account principles and guidelines of relevant international bodies, (4) such as the APEC Privacy Framework and the OECD Recommendation of the Council concerning Guidelines governing the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data (2013).

3. The Parties recognize that pursuant to paragraph 2, key principles include: limitation on collection; choice; data quality; purpose specification; use limitation; security safeguards; transparency; individual participation; and accountability. The Parties also recognize the importance of ensuring compliance with measures to protect personal information and ensuring that any restrictions on cross-border flows of personal information are necessary and proportionate to the risks presented.

4. Each Party shall endeavor to adopt non-discriminatory practices in protecting users of digital trade from personal information protection violations occurring within its jurisdiction.

5. Each Party shall publish information on the personal information protections it provides to users of digital trade, including how:

(a) a natural person can pursue a remedy; and

(b) an enterprise can comply with legal requirements. 6. Recognizing that the Parties may take different legal approaches to protecting personal information, each Party should encourage the development of mechanisms to promote compatibility between these different regimes. The Parties shall endeavor to exchange information on the mechanisms applied in their jurisdictions and explore ways to extend these or other suitable atrangements to promote compatibility between them. The Parties recognize that the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules system is a valid mechanism to facilitate cross-border information transfers while protecting personal information.

(4) For greater certainty, a Party may comply with the obligation in this paragraph by adopting or maintaining measures such as comprehensive privacy, personal information or personal data protection laws, sector-specific laws covering privacy, or laws that provide for the enforcement of voluntary undertakings by enterprises relating to privacy.

Article 19.9. Paperless Trading

Each Party shall endeavor to accept a trade administration document submitted electronically as the legal equivalent of the paper version of that document.

Article 19.10. Principles on Access to and Use of the Internet for Digital Trade

The Parties recognize that it is beneficial for consumers in their territories to be able to:

(a) access and use services and applications of a consumer's choice available on the Internet, subject to reasonable network management;

(b) connect the end-user devices of a consumer's choice to the Internet, provided that such devices do not harm the network; and

(c) access information on the network management practices of a consumer's Internet access service supplier.

Article 19.11. Cross-Border Transfer of Information by Electronic Means

1. No Party shall prohibit or restrict the cross-border transfer of information, including personal information, by electronic means if this activity is for the conduct of the business of a covered person.

2. This Article does not prevent a Party from adopting or maintaining a measure inconsistent with paragraph 1 that is necessary to achieve a legitimate public policy objective, provided that the measure:

(a) is not applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade; and

(b) does not impose restrictions on transfers of information greater than are necessary to achieve the objective. (5)

(5) A measure does not meet the conditions of this paragraph if it accords different treatment to data transfers solely on the basis that they are cross-border in a manner that modifies the conditions of competition to the detriment of service suppliers of another Party.

Article 19.12. Location of Computing Facilities

No Party shall require a covered person to use or locate computing facilities in that Party's territory as a condition for conducting business in that territory.

Article 19.13. Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Communications

1. Each Party shall adopt or maintain measures providing for the limitation of unsolicited commercial electronic communications.

2. Each Party shall adopt or maintain measures regarding unsolicited commercial electronic communications sent to an electronic mail address that:

(a) require suppliers of unsolicited commercial electronic messages to facilitate the ability of recipients to prevent ongoing reception of those messages; or

(b) require the consent, as specified in the laws and regulations of each Party, of recipients to receive commercial electronic messages.

3. Each Party shall endeavor to adopt or maintain measures that enable consumers to reduce or prevent unsolicited commercial electronic communications sent other than to an electronic mail address.

4. Each Party shall provide recourse in its law against suppliers of unsolicited commercial electronic communications that do not comply with a measure adopted or maintained pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3.

5. The Parties shall endeavor to cooperate in appropriate cases of mutual concern regarding the regulation of unsolicited commercial electronic communications.

Article 19.14. Cooperation

1. Recognizing the global nature of digital trade, the Parties shall endeavor to:

(a) exchange information and share experiences on regulations, policies, enforcement and compliance relating to digital trade, including:

(i) personal information protection, particularly with a view to strengthening existing international mechanisms for cooperation in enforcing laws protecting privacy,

(ii) security in electronic communications,

(iii) authentication, and

(iv) government use of digital tools and technologies to achieve better government performance;

(b) cooperate and maintain a dialogue on the promotion and development of mechanisms, including the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules, that further global interoperability of privacy regimes;

(c) actively participate in regional and multilateral fora to promote the development of digital trade;

(d) encourage development by the private sector of methods of self-regulation that foster digital trade, including codes of conduct, model contracts, guidelines, and enforcement mechanisms;

(e) promote access for persons with disabilities to information and communications technologies; and

  • Chapter   1 INITIAL PROVISIONS AND GENERAL DEFINITIONS 1
  • Section   A Initial Provisions 1
  • Article   1.1 Establishment of a Free Trade Area 1
  • Article   1.2 Relation to other Agreements 1
  • Article   1.3 Relation to Environmental and Conservation Agreements 1
  • Article   1.4 Persons Exercising Delegated Governmental Authority 1
  • Section   B General Definitions 1
  • Article   1.5 General Definitions 1
  • Section   C Country-Specific Definitions 1
  • Chapter   2 NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 1
  • Article   2.1 Definitions 1
  • Article   2.2 Scope 2
  • Article   2.3 National Treatment 2
  • Article   2.4 Treatment of Customs Duties 2
  • Article   2.5 Drawback and Duty Deferral Programs 2
  • Article   2.6 Waiver of Customs Duties 2
  • Article   2.7 Temporary Admission of Goods 2
  • Article   2.8 Goods Re-Entered after Repair or Alteration 2
  • Article   2.9 Duty-Free Entry of Commercial Samples of Negligible Value and Printed Advertising Materials 2
  • Article   2.10 Most-Favored-Nation Rates of Duty on Certain Goods 2
  • Article   2.11 Import and Export Restrictions 2
  • Article   2.12 Remanufactured Goods 2
  • Article   2.13 Transparency In Import Licensing Procedures 2
  • Article   2.14 Transparency In Export Licensing Procedures 2
  • Article   2.15 Export Duties, Taxes, or other Charges 3
  • Article   2.16 Administrative Fees and Formalities 3
  • Article   2.17 Committee on Trade In Goods 3
  • Chapter   3 AGRICULTURE 3
  • Section   A General Provisions 3
  • Article   3.1 Definitions 3
  • Article   3.2 Scope 3
  • Article   3.3 International Cooperation 3
  • Article   3.4 Export Competition 3
  • Article   3.5 Export Restrictions - Food Security 3
  • Article   3.6 Domestic Support 3
  • Article   3.7 Committee on Agricultural Trade 3
  • Article   3.8 Consultative Committees on Agriculture 3
  • Article   3.9 Agricultural Special Safeguards 3
  • Article   3.10 Transparency and Consultations 3
  • Article   3.11 Annexes 3
  • Section   B Agricultural Biotechnology 3
  • Article   3.12 Definitions 3
  • Article   3.13 Contact Points 3
  • Article   3.14 Trade In Products of Agricultural Biotechnology 3
  • Article   3.15 LLP Occurrence 3
  • Article   3.16 Working Group for Cooperation on Agricultural Biotechnology 3
  • Chapter   4 RULES OF ORIGIN 4
  • Article   4.1 Definitions 4
  • Article   4.2 Originating Goods 4
  • Article   4.3 Wholly Obtained or Produced Goods 4
  • Article   4.4 Treatment of Recovered Materials Used In the Production of a Remanufactured Good 4
  • Article   4.5 Regional Value Content 4
  • Article   4.6 Value of Materials Used In Production 4
  • Article   4.7 Further Adjustments to the Value of Materials 4
  • Article   4.8 Intermediate Materials 4
  • Article   4.9 Indirect Materials 4
  • Article   4.10 Automotive Goods 4
  • Article   4.11 Accumulation 4
  • Article   4.12 De Minimis 4
  • Article   4.13 Fungible Goods and Materials 4
  • Article   4.14 Accessories, Spare Parts, Tools, or Instructional or other Information Materials 4
  • Article   4.15 Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale 5
  • Article   4.16 Packing Materials and Containers for Shipment 5
  • Article   4.17 Sets of Goods, Kits or Composite Goods 5
  • Article   4.18 Transit and Transshipment 5
  • Article   4.19 Non-Qualifying Operations 5
  • Chapter   5 ORIGIN PROCEDURES 5
  • Article   5.1 Definitions 5
  • Article   5.2 Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment 5
  • Article   5.3 Basis of a Certification of Origin 5
  • Article   5.4 Obligations Regarding Importations 5
  • Article   5.5 Exceptions to Certification of Origin 5
  • Article   5.6 Obligations Regarding Exportations 5
  • Article   5.7 Errors or Discrepancies 5
  • Article   5.8 Record Keeping Requirements 5
  • Article   5.9 Origin Verification 5
  • Article   5.10 Determinations of Origin 5
  • Article   5.11 Refunds and Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment after Importation 5
  • Article   5.12 Confidentiality 6
  • Article   5.13 Penalties 6
  • Article   5.14 Advance Rulings Relating to Origin 6
  • Article   5.15 Review and Appeal 6
  • Article   5.16 Uniform Regulations 6
  • Article   5.17 Notification of Treatment 6
  • Article   5.18 Committee on Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures 6
  • Article   5.19 Sub-Committee on Origin Verification 6
  • Chapter   6 TEXTILE AND APPAREL GOODS 6
  • Article   6.1 Rules of Origin and Related Matters 6
  • Article   6.2 Handmade, Traditional Folkloric, or Indigenous Handicraft Goods 6
  • Article   6.3 Special Provisions 6
  • Article   6.4 Review and Revision of Rules of Origin 6
  • Article   6.5 Cooperation 6
  • Article   6.6 Verification 6
  • Article   6.7 Determinations 6
  • Article   6.8 Committee on Textile and Apparel Trade Matters 6
  • Article   6.9 Confidentiality 6
  • Chapter   7 CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION AND TRADE FACILITATION 6
  • Section   A Trade Facilitation 6
  • Article   7.1 Trade Facilitation 6
  • Article   7.2 Online Publication 6
  • Article   7.3 Communication with Traders 6
  • Article   7.4 Enquiry Points 6
  • Article   7.5 Advance Rulings 6
  • Article   7.6 Advice or Information Regarding Duty Drawback or Duty Deferral Programs 7
  • Article   7.7 Release of Goods 7
  • Article   7.8 Express Shipments 7
  • Article   7.9 Use of Information Technology 7
  • Article   7.10 Single Window 7
  • Article   7.11 Transparency, Predictability, and Consistency In Customs Procedures 7
  • Article   7.12 Risk Management 7
  • Article   7.13 Post-Clearance Audit 7
  • Article   7.14 Authorized Economic Operator - AEO 7
  • Article   7.15 Review and Appeal of Customs Determinations 7
  • Article   7.16 Administrative Guidance 7
  • Article   7.17 Transit 7
  • Article   7.18 Penalties 7
  • Article   7.19 Standards of Conduct 7
  • Article   7.20 Customs Brokers 8
  • Article   7.21 Border Inspections 8
  • Article   7.22 Protection of Trader Information 8
  • Article   7.23 Customs Initiatives for Trade Facilitation 8
  • Article   7.24 Committee on Trade Facilitation 8
  • Section   B Cooperation and Enforcement 8
  • Article   7.25 Regional and Bilateral Cooperation on Enforcement 8
  • Article   7.26 Exchange of Specific Confidential Information 8
  • Article   7.27 Customs Compliance Verification Requests 8
  • Article   7.28 Confidentiality between Parties 8
  • Article   7.29 Sub-Committee on Customs Enforcement 8
  • Chapter   8 RECOGNITION OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES' DIRECT, INALIENABLE, AND IMPRESCRIPTIBLE OWNERSHIP OF HYDROCARBONS 8
  • Article   8.1 Recognition of the United Mexican States' Direct, Inalienable, and Imprescriptible Ownership of Hydrocarbons 8
  • Chapter   9 SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 8
  • Article   9.1 Definitions 8
  • Article   9.2 Scope 8
  • Article   9.3 Objectives 8
  • Article   9.4 General Provisions 8
  • Article   9.5 Competent Authorities and Contact Points 8
  • Article   9.6 Science and Risk Analysis 8
  • Article   9.7 Enhancing Compatibility of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 9
  • Article   9.8 Adaptation to Regional Conditions, Including Pest- or Disease-Free Areas and Areas of Low Pest or Disease Prevalence 9
  • Article   9.9 Equivalence 9
  • Article   9.10 Audits  (4) 9
  • Article   9.11 Import Checks 9
  • Article   9.12 Certification 9
  • Article   9.13 Transparency 9
  • Article   9.14 Emergency Measures 9
  • Article   9.15 Information Exchange 9
  • Article   9.16 Cooperation 9
  • Article   9.17 Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 9
  • Article   9.18 Technical Working Groups 10
  • Article   9.19 Technical Consultations 10
  • Article   9.20 Dispute Settlement 10
  • Chapter   10 TRADE REMEDIES 10
  • Section   A Safeguards 10
  • Article   10.1 Definitions 10
  • Article   10.2 Rights and Obligations 10
  • Article   10.3 Administration of Emergency Action Proceedings 10
  • Section   B Antidumping and Countervailing Duties 10
  • Article   10.4 Definitions 10
  • Article   10.5 Rights and Obligations 10
  • Section   C Cooperation on Preventing Duty Evasion of Trade Remedy Laws 10
  • Article   10.6 General 10
  • Article   10.7 Duty Evasion Cooperation 10
  • Section   D REVIEW AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT IN ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY MATTERS 10
  • Article   10.8 Definitions 10
  • Article   10.9 General Provisions 11
  • Article   10.10 Retention of Domestic Antidumping Law and Countervailing Duty Law 11
  • Article   10.11 Review of Statutory Amendments 11
  • Article   10.12 Review of Final Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Determinations 11
  • Article   10.13 Safeguarding the Panel Review System 11
  • Article   10.14 Prospective Application 11
  • Article   10.15 Consultations 11
  • Article   10.16 Special Secretariat Provisions 11
  • Article   10.17 Code of Conduct 11
  • Article   10.18 Miscellaneous 11
  • Chapter   11 TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE 11
  • Article   11.1 Definitions 11
  • Article   11.2 Scope 12
  • Article   11.3 Incorporation of the TBT Agreement 12
  • Article   11.4 International Standards, Guides and Recommendations 12
  • Article   11.5 Technical Regulations Preparation and Review of Technical Regulations 12
  • Article   11.6 Conformity Assessment 12
  • Article   11.7 Transparency 12
  • Article   11.8 Compliance Period for Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures 13
  • Article   11.9 Cooperation and Trade Facilitation 13
  • Article   11.10 Information Exchange and Technical Discussions 13
  • Article   11.11 Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade 13
  • Article   11.12 Contact Points 13
  • Chapter   12 SECTORAL ANNEXES 13
  • Article   12.1 Sectoral Annexes 13
  • ANNEX 12-C  INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 13
  • Article   12.C.1 Definitions 13
  • Article   12.C.2 ICT Goods That Use Cryptography 13
  • Article   12.C.3 Electromagnetic Compatibility of ITE Products 13
  • Article   12.C.4 Regional Cooperation Activities on Telecommunications Equipment 13
  • Article   12.C.5 Terminal Equipment 13
  • Chapter   13 GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 13
  • Article   13.1 Definitions 13
  • Article   13.2 Scope 14
  • Article   13.3 Exceptions 14
  • Article   13.4 General Principles 14
  • Article   13.5 Publication of Procurement Information 14
  • Article   13.6 Notices of Intended Procurement 14
  • Article   13.7 Conditions for Participation 14
  • Article   13.8 Qualification of Suppliers 14
  • Article   13.9 Limited Tendering 15
  • Article   13.10 Negotiations 15
  • Article   13.11 Technical Specifications 15
  • Article   13.12 Tender Documentation 15
  • Article   13.13 Time Periods 15
  • Article   13.14 Treatment of Tenders and Awarding of Contracts 15
  • Article   13.15 Transparency and Post-Award Information 15
  • Article   13.16 Disclosure of Information Provision of Information to Parties 15
  • Article   13.17 Ensuring Integrity In Procurement Practices 15
  • Article   13.18 Domestic Review 15
  • Article   13.19 Modifications and Rectifications of Annex 15
  • Article   13.20 Facilitation of Participation by SMEs 16
  • Article   13.21 Committee on Government Procurement 16
  • Chapter   14 INVESTMENT 16
  • Article   14.1 Definitions 16
  • Article   14.2 Scope 16
  • Article   14.3 Relation to other Chapters 16
  • Article   14.4 National Treatment 16
  • Article   14.5 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 16
  • Article   14.6 Minimum Standard of Treatment  (6) 16
  • Article   14.7 Treatment In Case of Armed Conflict or Civil Strife 16
  • Article   14.8 Expropriation and Compensation  (7) 16
  • Article   14.9 Transfers 16
  • Article   14.10 Performance Requirements 16
  • Article   14.11 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 17
  • Article   14.12 Non-Conforming Measures 17
  • Article   14.13 Special Formalities and Information Requirements 17
  • Article   14.14 Denial of Benefits 17
  • Article   14.15 Subrogation 17
  • Article   14.16 Investment and Environmental, Health, Safety, and other Regulatory Objectives 17
  • Article   14.17 Corporate Social Responsibility 17
  • ANNEX 14-A  CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW 17
  • ANNEX 14-B  EXPROPRIATION 17
  • ANNEX 14-C  LEGACY INVESTMENT CLAIMS AND PENDING CLAIMS 17
  • ANNEX 14-D  MEXICO-UNITED STATES INVESTMENT DISPUTES 17
  • Article   14.D.1 Definitions 17
  • Article   14.D.2 Consultation and Negotiation 17
  • Article   14.D.3 Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 17
  • Article   14.D.4 Consent to Arbitration 17
  • Article   14.D.5 Conditions and Limitations on Consent 18
  • Article   14.D.6 Selection of Arbitrators 18
  • Article   14.D.7 Conduct of the Arbitration 18
  • Article   14.D8 Transparency of Arbitral Proceedings 18
  • Article   14.D.9 Governing Law 18
  • Article   14.D.10 Interpretation of Annexes 18
  • Article   14.D.11 Expert Reports 18
  • Article   14.D.12 Consolidation 18
  • Article   14.D.13 Awards 18
  • Article   14.D.14 Service of Documents 18
  • APPENDIX 1  SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS ON AN ANNEX PARTY 18
  • APPENDIX 2  PUBLIC DEBT 18
  • APPENDIX 3  SUBMISSION OF A CLAIM TO ARBITRATION 18
  • ANNEX 14-E  MEXICO-UNITED STATES INVESTMENT DISPUTES RELATED TO COVERED GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS 19
  • Chapter   15 CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN SERVICES 19
  • Article   15.1 Definitions 19
  • Article   15.2 Scope 19
  • Article   15.3 National Treatment 19
  • Article   15.4 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 19
  • Article   15.5 Market Access 19
  • Article   15.6 Local Presence 19
  • Article   15.7 Non-Conforming Measures 19
  • Article   15.8 Development and Administration of Measures 19
  • Article   15.9 Recognition 19
  • Article   15.10 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 19
  • Article   15.11 Denial of Benefits 20
  • Article   15.12 Payments and Transfers 20
  • Chapter   16 TEMPORARY ENTRY FOR BUSINESS PERSONS 20
  • Article   16.1 Definitions 20
  • Article   16.2 Scope 20
  • Article   16.3 General Obligations 20
  • Article   16.4 Grant of Temporary Entry 20
  • Article   16.5 Provision of Information 20
  • Article   16.6 Temporary Entry Working Group 20
  • Article   16.7 Dispute Settlement 20
  • Article   16.8 Relation to other Chapters 20
  • ANNEX 16-A  TEMPORARY ENTRY FOR BUSINESS PERSONS 20
  • Section   A Business Visitors 20
  • Section   B Traders and Investors 20
  • Section   C Intra-Company Transferees 20
  • Section   D Professionals 20
  • Chapter   17 FINANCIAL SERVICES 20
  • Article   17.1 Definitions 20
  • Article   17.2 Scope 20
  • Article   17.3 National Treatment 21
  • Article   17.4 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 21
  • Article   17.5 Market Access 21
  • Article   17.6 Cross-Border Trade Standstill 21
  • Article   17.7 New Financial Services  (4) 21
  • Article   17.8 Treatment of Customer Information 21
  • Article   17.9 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 21
  • Article   17.10 Non-Conforming Measures 21
  • Article   17.11 Exceptions 21
  • Article   17.12 Recognition 21
  • Article   17.13 Transparency and Administration of Certain Measures 21
  • Article   17.14 Self-Regulatory Organizations 21
  • Article   17.15 Payment and Clearing Systems 21
  • Article   17.16 Expedited Availability of Insurance Services 21
  • Article   17.17 Transfer of Information 21
  • Article   17.18 Location of Computing Facilities 21
  • Article   17.19 Committee on Financial Services 21
  • Article   17.20 Consultations 21
  • Article   17.21 Dispute Settlement 21
  • ANNEX 17-A  CROSS-BORDER TRADE 22
  • ANNEX 17-B  AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES 22
  • ANNEX 17-C  MEXICO-UNITED STATES INVESTMENT DISPUTES IN FINANCIAL SERVICES 22
  • ANNEX 17-D  LOCATION OF COMPUTING FACILITIES 22
  • Chapter   18 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 22
  • Article   18.1 Definitions 22
  • Article   18.2 Scope 23
  • Article   18.3 Access and Use 23
  • Article   18.4 Obligations Relating to Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services Interconnection 23
  • Article   18.5 Treatment by Major Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services 23
  • Article   18.6 Competitive Safeguards 23
  • Article   18.7 Resale  (7) 23
  • Article   18.8 Unbundling of Network Elements 23
  • Article   18.9 Interconnection with Major Suppliers 23
  • Article   18.10 Provisioning and Pricing of Leased Circuits Services 23
  • Article   18.11 Co-Location  (8) 23
  • Article   18.12 Access to Poles, Ducts, Conduits, and Rights-of-Way  (9) 23
  • Article   18.13 Submarine Cable Systems 23
  • Article   18.14 Conditions for the Supply of Value-Added Services  (11) 23
  • Article   18.15 Flexibility In the Choice of Technology 23
  • Article   18.16 Approaches to Regulation 23
  • Article   18.17 Telecommunications Regulatory Bodies 23
  • Article   18.18 State Enterprises 23
  • Article   18.19 Universal Services 23
  • Article   18.20 Licensing Process 23
  • Article   18.21 Allocation and Use of Scarce Resources 24
  • Article   18.22 Enforcement 24
  • Article   18.23 Resolution of Disputes 24
  • Article   18.24 Transparency 24
  • Article   18.25 International Roaming Services 24
  • Article   18.26 Relation to other Chapters 24
  • Article   18.27 Telecommunications Committee 24
  • Chapter   19 DIGITAL TRADE 24
  • Article   19.1 Definitions 24
  • Article   19.2 Scope and General Provisions 24
  • Article   19.3 Customs Duties 24
  • Article   19.4 Non-Discriminatory Treatment of Digital Products 24
  • Article   19.5 Domestic Electronic Transactions Framework 24
  • Article   19.6 Electronic Authentication and Electronic Signatures 24
  • Article   19.7 Online Consumer Protection 24
  • Article   19.8 Personal Information Protection 24
  • Article   19.9 Paperless Trading 24
  • Article   19.10 Principles on Access to and Use of the Internet for Digital Trade 24
  • Article   19.11 Cross-Border Transfer of Information by Electronic Means 24
  • Article   19.12 Location of Computing Facilities 24
  • Article   19.13 Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Communications 24
  • Article   19.14 Cooperation 24
  • Article   19.15 Cybersecurity 25
  • Article   19.16 Source Code 25
  • Article   19.17 Interactive Computer Services 25
  • Article   19.18 Open Government Data 25
  • ANNEX 19-A  25
  • Chapter   20 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 25
  • Section   A General Provisions 25
  • Article   20.1 Definitions 25
  • Article   20.2 Objectives 25
  • Article   20.3 Principles 25
  • Article   20.4 Understandings In Respect of this Chapter 25
  • Article   20.5 Nature and Scope of Obligations 25
  • Article   20.6 Understandings Regarding Certain Public Health Measures 25
  • Article   20.7 International Agreements 25
  • Article   20.8 National Treatment 25
  • Article   20.9 Transparency 25
  • Article   20.10 Application of Chapter to Existing Subject Matter and Prior Acts 25
  • Article   20.11 Exhaustion of Intellectual Property Rights 25
  • Section   B Cooperation 25
  • Article   20.12 Contact Points for Cooperation 25
  • Article   20.13 Cooperation 25
  • Article   20.14 Committee on Intellectual Property Rights 25
  • Article   20.15 Patent Cooperation and Work Sharing 25
  • Article   20.16 Cooperation on Request 25
  • Section   C Trademarks 25
  • Article   20.17 Types of Signs Registrable as Trademarks 25
  • Article   20.18 Collective and Certification Marks 25
  • Article   20.19 Use of Identical or Similar Signs 26
  • Article   20.20 Exceptions 26
  • Article   20.21 Well-Known Trademarks 26
  • Article   20.22 Procedural Aspects of Examination, Opposition, and Cancellation 26
  • Article   20.23 Electronic Trademarks System 26
  • Article   20.24 Classification of Goods and Services 26
  • Article   20.25 Term of Protection for Trademarks 26
  • Article   20.26 Non-Recordal of a License 26
  • Article   20.27 Domain Names 26
  • Section   D Country Names 26
  • Article   20.28 Country Names 26
  • Section   E Geographical Indications 26
  • Article   20.29 Recognition of Geographical Indications 26
  • Article   20.30 Administrative Procedures for the Protection or Recognition of Geographical Indications 26
  • Article   20.31 Grounds of Denial, Opposition, and Cancellation  (17) 26
  • Article   20.32 Guidelines for Determining Whether a Term Is the Term Customary In the Common Language 26
  • Article   20.33 Multi-Component Terms 26
  • Article   20.34 Date of Protection of a Geographical Indication 26
  • Article   20.35 International Agreements 26
  • Section   F Patents and Undisclosed Test or other Data 26
  • Subsection   A General Patents 26
  • Article   20.36 Patentable Subject Matter 26
  • Article   20.37 Grace Period 26
  • Article   20.38 Patent Revocation 26
  • Article   20.39 Exceptions 26
  • Article   20.40 Other Use without Authorization of the Right Holder 26
  • Article   20.41 Amendments, Corrections, and Observations 26
  • Article   20.42 Publication of Patent Applications 26
  • Article   20.43 Information Relating to Published Patent Applications and Granted Patents 26
  • Article   20.44 Patent Term Adjustment for Unreasonable Granting Authority Delays 26
  • Subsection   B Measures Relating to Agricultural Chemical Products 27
  • Article   20.45 Protection of Undisclosed Test or other Data for Agricultural Chemical Products 27
  • Subsection   C Measures Relating to Pharmaceutical Products 27
  • Article   20.46 Patent Term Adjustment for Unreasonable Curtailment 27
  • Article   20.47 Regulatory Review Exception 27
  • Article   20.48 Protection of Undisclosed Test or other Data 27
  • Article   20.49 Definition of New Pharmaceutical Product 27
  • Article   20.50 Measures Relating to the Marketing of Certain Pharmaceutical Products  (48) 27
  • Article   20.51 Alteration of Period of Protection 27
  • Section   G Industrial Designs 27
  • Article   20.52 Protection 27
  • Article   20.53 Non-Prejudicial Disclosures/Grace Period  (51) 27
  • Article   20.54 Electronic Industrial Design System 27
  • Article   20.55 Term of Protection 27
  • Section   H Copyright and Related Rights 27
  • Article   20.56 Definitions 27
  • Article   20.57 Right of Reproduction 27
  • Article   20.58 Right of Communication to the Public 27
  • Article   20.59 Right of Distribution 27
  • Article   20.60 No Hierarchy 27
  • Article   20.61 Related Rights 27
  • Article   20.62 Term of Protection for Copyright and Related Rights 27
  • Article   20.63 Application of Article 18 of the Berne Convention and Article 14.6 of the TRIPS Agreement 27
  • Article   20.64 Limitations and Exceptions 27
  • Article   20.65 Contractual Transfers 27
  • Article   20.66 Technological Protection Measures  (65) 27
  • Article   20.67 Rights Management Information  (73) 28
  • Article   20.68 Collective Management 28
  • Section   I Trade Secrets  (78) (79) 28
  • Article   20.69 Protection of Trade Secrets 28
  • Article   20.70 Civil Protection and Enforcement 28
  • Article   20.71 Criminal Enforcement 28
  • Article   20.72 Definitions 28
  • Article   20.73 Provisional Measures 28
  • Article   20.74 Confidentiality 28
  • Article   20.75 Civil Remedies 28
  • Article   20.76 Licensing and Transfer of Trade Secrets 28
  • Article   20.77 Prohibition of Unauthorized Disclosure or Use of a Trade Secret by Government Officials Outside the Scope of Their Official Duties 28
  • Section   J Enforcement 28
  • Article   20.78 General Obligations 28
  • Article   20.79 Presumptions 28
  • Article   20.80 Enforcement Practices with Respect to Intellectual Property Rights 28
  • Article   20.81 Civil and Administrative Procedures and Remedies 28
  • Article   20.82 Provisional Measures 28
  • Article   20.83 Special Requirements Related to Border Measures 28
  • Article   20.84 Criminal Procedures and Penalties 29
  • Article   20.85 Protection of Encrypted Program-Carrying Satellite and Cable Signals 29
  • Article   20.86 Government Use of Software 29
  • Article   20.87 Internet Service Providers 29
  • Article   20.88 Legal Remedies and Safe Harbors  (119) 29
  • Section   K Final Provisions 29
  • Article   20.89 Final Provisions 29
  • ANNEX 20-A  ANNEX TO ARTICLE 20.50 29
  • ANNEX 20-B  ANNEX TO SECTION J 29
  • Chapter   21 COMPETITION POLICY 30
  • Article   21.1 Competition Law and Authorities 30
  • Article   21.2 Procedural Fairness In Competition Law Enforcement 30
  • Article   21.3 Cooperation 30
  • Article   21.4 Consumer Protection 30
  • Article   21.5 Transparency 30
  • Article   21.6 Consultations 30
  • Chapter   22 STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES AND DESIGNATED MONOPOLIES 30
  • Article   22.1 Definitions 30
  • Article   22.2 Scope 30
  • Article   22.3 Delegated Authority 30
  • Article   22.4 Non-Discriminatory Treatment and Commercial Considerations 30
  • Article   22.5 Courts and Administrative Bodies 31
  • Article   22.6 Non-Commercial Assistance 31
  • Article   22.7 Adverse Effects 31
  • Article   22.8 Injury 31
  • Article   22.9 Party-Specific Annexes 31
  • Article   22.10 Transparency 31
  • Article   22.11 Technical Cooperation 31
  • Article   22.12 Committee on State-Owned Enterprises and Designated Monopolies 31
  • Article   22.13 Exceptions 31
  • Article   22.14 Further Negotiations 31
  • Article   22.15 Process for Developing Information 31
  • Chapter   23 LABOR 31
  • Article   23.1 Definitions 31
  • Article   23.2 Statement of Shared Commitments 32
  • Article   23.3 Labor Rights 32
  • Article   23.4 Non-Derogation 32
  • Article   23.5 Enforcement of Labor Laws 32
  • Article   23.6 Forced or Compulsory Labor 32
  • Article   23.7 Violence Against Workers 32
  • Article   23.8 Migrant Workers 32
  • Article   23.9 Discrimination In the Workplace 32
  • Article   23.10 Public Awareness and Procedural Guarantees 32
  • Article   23.11 Public Submissions 32
  • Article   23.12 Cooperation 32
  • Article   23.13 Cooperative Labor Dialogue 32
  • Article   23.14 Labor Council 32
  • Article   23.15 Contact Points 32
  • Article   23.16 Public Engagement 32
  • Article   23.17 Labor Consultations 32
  • ANNEX 23-A  WORKER REPRESENTATION IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN MEXICO 33
  • Chapter   24 ENVIRONMENT 33
  • Article   24.1 Definitions 33
  • Article   24.2 Scope and Objectives 33
  • Article   24.3 Levels of Protection 33
  • Article   24.4 Enforcement of Environmental Laws 33
  • Article   24.5 Public Information and Participation 33
  • Article   24.6 Procedural Matters 33
  • Article   24.7 Environmental Impact Assessment 33
  • Article   24.8 Multilateral Environmental Agreements  (6) (7) 33
  • Article   24.9 Protection of the Ozone Layer 33
  • Article   24.10 Protection of the Marine Environment from Ship Pollution 33
  • Article   24.11 Air Quality 33
  • Article   24.12 Marine Litter 33
  • Article   24.13 Corporate Social Responsibility and Responsible Business Conduct 33
  • Article   24.14 Voluntary Mechanisms to Enhance Environmental Performance 33
  • Article   24.15 Trade and Biodiversity 34
  • Article   24.16 Invasive Alien Species 34
  • Article   24.17 Marine Wild Capture Fisheries™  (17) 34
  • Article   24.18 Sustainable Fisheries Management 34
  • Article   24.19 Conservation of Marine Species 34
  • Article   24.20 Fisheries Subsidies 34
  • Article   24.21 Ilegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing 34
  • Article   24 Conservation and Trade 34
  • Article   24.23 Sustainable Forest Management and Trade 34
  • Article   24.24 Environmental Goods and Services 34
  • Article   24.25 Environmental Cooperation 34
  • Article   24.26 Environment Committee and Contact Points 34
  • Article   24.27 Submissions on Enforcement Matters 35
  • Article   24.28 Factual Records and Related Cooperation 35
  • Article   24.29 Environment Consultations 35
  • Article   24.30 Senior Representative Consultations 35
  • Article   24 Ministerial Consultations 35
  • Article   24.32 Dispute Resolution 35
  • ANNEX 24-A  35
  • ANNEX 24-B  35
  • Chapter   25 SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES 35
  • Article   25.1 General Principles 35
  • Article   25.2 Cooperation to Increase Trade and Investment Opportunities for SMEs 35
  • Article   25.3 Information Sharing 35
  • Article   25.4 Committee on SME Issues 35
  • Article   25.5 SME Dialogue 35
  • Article   25.7 Non-Application of Dispute Settlement 35
  • Chapter   26 COMPETITIVENESS 35
  • Article   26.1 North American Competitiveness Committee 35
  • Article   26.2 Engagement with Interested Persons 36
  • Article   26.3 Non-Application of Dispute Settlement 36
  • Chapter   27 ANTICORRUPTION 36
  • Article   27.1 Definitions 36
  • Article   27.2 Scope 36
  • Article   27.3 Measures to Combat Corruption 36
  • Article   27.4 Promoting Integrity Among Public Officials™  (7) 36
  • Article   27.5 Participation of Private Sector and Society 36
  • Article   27.6 Application and Enforcement of Anticorruption Laws 36
  • Article   27.7 Relation to other Agreements 36
  • Article   27.8 Dispute Settlement 36
  • Article   27.9 Cooperation 36
  • Chapter   28 GOOD REGULATORY PRACTICES 36
  • Article   28.1 Definitions 36
  • Article   28.2 Subject Matter and General Provisions 36
  • Article   28.3 Central Regulatory Coordinating Body 36
  • Article   28.4 Internal Consultation, Coordination, and Review 36
  • Article   28.5 Information Quality 36
  • Article   28.6 Early Planning 36
  • Article   28.7 Dedicated Website 36
  • Article   28.8 Use of Plain Language 36
  • Article   28.9 Transparent Development of Regulations 36
  • Article   28.10 Expert Advisory Groups 37
  • Article   28.11 Regulatory Impact Assessment 37
  • Article   28.12 Final Publication 37
  • Article   28.13 Retrospective Review 37
  • Article   28.14 Suggestions for Improvement 37
  • Article   28.15 Information About Regulatory Processes 37
  • Article   28.16 Annual Report 37
  • Article   28.17 Encouragement of Regulatory Compatibility and Cooperation 37
  • Article   28.18 Committee on Good Regulatory Practices 37
  • Article   28.19 Contact Points 37
  • Article   28.20 Application of Dispute Settlement 37
  • ANNEX 28-A  ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE SCOPE OF "REGULATIONS" AND "REGULATORY AUTHORITIES" 37
  • Chapter   29 PUBLICATION AND ADMINISTRATION 37
  • Section   A Publication and Administration 37
  • Article   29.1 Definitions 37
  • Article   29.2 Publication 37
  • Article   29.3 Administrative Proceedings 37
  • Article   29.4 Review and Appeal 38
  • Section   B Transparency and Procedural Fairness for Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Devices  (3) 38
  • Article   29.5 Definitions 38
  • Article   29.6 Principles 38
  • Article   29.7 Procedural Fairness 38
  • Article   29.8 Dissemination of Information to Health Professionals and Consumers 38
  • Article   29.9 Consultations 38
  • Article   29.10 Non-Application of Dispute Settlement 38
  • ANNEX 29-A  PUBLICATION OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION 38
  • ANNEX 29-B  PARTY-SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS 38
  • Chapter   30 ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS 38
  • Article   30.1 Establishment of the Free Trade Commission 38
  • Article   30.2 Functions of the Commission 38
  • Article   30.3 Decision-Making 38
  • Article   30.4 Rules of Procedure of the Commission and Subsidiary Bodies 38
  • Article   30.5 Agreement Coordinator and Contact Points 38
  • Article   30.6 The Secretariat 38
  • Chapter   31 DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 38
  • Section   A Dispute Settlement 38
  • Article   31.1 Cooperation 38
  • Article   31.2 Scope 38
  • Article   31.3 Choice of Forum 38
  • Article   31.4 Consultations 38
  • Article   31.5 Good Offices, Conciliation, and Mediation 38
  • Article   31.6 Establishment of a Panel 39
  • Article   31.7 Terms of Reference 39
  • Article   31.8 Roster and Qualifications of Panelists 39
  • Article   31.9 Panel Composition 39
  • Article   31.10 Replacement of Panelists 39
  • Article   31.11 Rules of Procedure for Panels 39
  • Article   31.12 Electronic Document Filing 39
  • Article   31.13 Function of Panels 39
  • Article   31.14 Third Party Participation 39
  • Article   31.15 Role of Experts 39
  • Article   31.16 Suspension or Termination of Proceedings 39
  • Article   31.17 Panel Report 39
  • Article   31.18 Implementation of Final Report 39
  • Article   31.19 Non-Implementation - Suspension of Benefits 39
  • Section   B Domestic Proceedings and Private Commercial Dispute Settlement 39
  • Article   31.20 Referrals of Matters from Judicial or Administrative Proceedings 39
  • Article   31.21 Private Rights 39
  • Article   31.22 Alternative Dispute Resolution 39
  • ANNEX 31-A  FACILITY-SPECIFIC RAPID RESPONSE LABOR MECHANISM 39
  • Article   31-A.1 Scope and Purpose 39
  • Article   31-A.2 Denial of Rights 39
  • Article   31-A.3 Lists of Rapid Response Labor Panelists 39
  • Article   31-A.4 Requests for Review and Remediation 40
  • Article   31-A.5 Requests for Establishment of Rapid Response Labor Panel 40
  • Article   31-A.6 Confirmation of Petition 40
  • Article   31-A.7 Verification 40
  • Article   31-A.8 Panel Process and Determination 40
  • Article   31-A.9 Consultations and Remediation 40
  • Article   31-A.10 Remedies 40
  • Article   31-A.11 Good Faith Use of the Mechanism 40
  • Article   31-A.12 Expansion of Claims 40
  • Article   31-A.13 Review of Priority Sectors 40
  • Article   31-A.14 Cooperation to Promote Compliance 40
  • Article   31-A.15 Definitions 40
  • ANNEX 31-B  CANADA-MEXICO FACILITY-SPECIFIC RAPID RESPONSE LABOR MECHANISM 40
  • Article   31-B.1 Scope and Purpose 40
  • Article   31-B.2 Denial of Rights 40
  • Article   31-B.3 Lists of Rapid Response Labor Panelists 40
  • Article   31-B.4 Requests for Review and Remediation 40
  • Article   31-B.5 Requests for Establishment of Rapid Response Labor Panel 40
  • Article   31-B.6 Confirmation of Petition 40
  • Article   31-B.7 Verification 40
  • Article   31-B.8 Panel Process and Determination 40
  • Article   31-B.9 Consultations and Remediation 40
  • Article   31-B.10 Remedies 40
  • Article   31-B.11 Good Faith Use of the Mechanism 40
  • Article   31-B.12 Expansion of Claims 40
  • Article   31-B.13 Review of Priority Sectors 40
  • Article   31-B.14 Cooperation to Promote Compliance 41
  • Article   31-B.15 Definitions 41
  • Chapter   32 EXCEPTIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS 41
  • Section   A Exceptions 41
  • Article   32.1 General Exceptions 41
  • Article   32.2 Essential Security 41
  • Article   32.3 Taxation Measures 41
  • Article   32.4 Temporary Safeguards Measures 41
  • Article   32.5 Indigenous Peoples Rights 41
  • Article   32.6 Cultural Industries 41
  • Section   B General Provisions 41
  • Article   32.7 Disclosure of Information 41
  • Article   32.8 Personal Information Protection  (8) 41
  • Article   32.9 Access to Information 41
  • Article   31.10 Non-Market Country FTA 41
  • Article   32.11 Specific Provision on Cross-Border Trade In Services, Investment, and State-Owned Enterprises and Designated Monopolies for Mexico 41
  • Article   32.12 Exclusion from Dispute Settlement 41
  • Chapter   33 MACROECONOMIC POLICIES AND EXCHANGE RATE MATTERS 41
  • Article   33.1 Definitions 41
  • Article   33.2 General Provisions 42
  • Article   33.3 Scope 42
  • Article   33.4 Exchange Rate Practices 42
  • Article   33.5 Transparency and Reporting 42
  • Article   33.6 Macroeconomic Committee 42
  • Article   33.7 Principal Representative Consultations 42
  • Article   33.8 Dispute Settlement 42
  • Chapter   34 FINAL PROVISIONS 42
  • Article   34.1 Transitional Provision from NAFTA 1994 42
  • Article   34.2 Annexes, Appendices, and Footnotes 42
  • Article   34.3 Amendments 42
  • Article   34.4 Amendment of the WTO Agreement 42
  • Article   34.5 Entry Into Force 42
  • Article   34.6 Withdrawal 42
  • Article   34.7 Review and Term Extension 42
  • Article   34.8 Authentic Texts 42
  • ANNEX I  EXPLANATORY NOTE 42
  • ANNEX I  SCHEDULE OF MEXICO 42
  • ANNEX I  SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES 46
  • ANNEX I  SCHEDULE OF CANADA 47
  • ANNEX II  EXPLANATORY NOTE 49
  • ANNEX II  SCHEDULE OF MEXICO 49
  • ANNEX II  SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES 50
  • APPENDIX II-A  United States 51
  • ANNEX II  SCHEDULE OF CANADA 51
  • APPENDIX I  Canada 52