United States - Mexico - Canada Agreement (USMCA) (2018)
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(b) with regard to paragraph 20.88.7, "except to the extent consistent with the technical measures identified in paragraph 6(b)" does not apply.

Chapter 21. COMPETITION POLICY

Article 21.1. Competition Law and Authorities

1. Each Party shall maintain national competition laws that proscribe anticompetitive business conduct to promote competition in order to increase economic efficiency and consumer welfare, and shall take appropriate action with respect to that conduct.

2. Each Party shall endeavor to apply its national competition laws to all commercial activities in its territory. This does not prevent a Party from applying its national competition laws to commercial activities outside its borders that have an appropriate nexus to its jurisdiction.

3. Each Party may provide for certain exemptions from the application of its national competition laws provided that those exemptions are transparent, established in its law, and based on public interest or public policy grounds.

4. Each Party shall maintain a national competition authority or authorities (national competition authorities) responsible for the enforcement of its national competition laws.

5. Each Party shall ensure that the enforcement policies of its national competition authorities include:

(a) treating persons of another Party no less favorably than persons of the Party in like circumstances;

(b) considering, if applicable, the effect of enforcement activities on related enforcement activities by a national competition authority of another Party; and

(c) limiting remedies relating to conduct or assets outside the Party's territory to situations in which there is an appropriate nexus to harm or threatened harm affecting the Party’s territory or commerce.

Article 21.2. Procedural Fairness In Competition Law Enforcement

1. For the purposes of this Article, "enforcement proceeding" means a judicial or administrative proceeding following an investigation into the alleged violation of the national competition laws and does not include matters occurring before a grand jury.

2. Each Party shall ensure that its national competition authorities:

(a) provide transparency, including in writing, regarding the applicable competition laws, regulations, and procedural rules pursuant to which national competition law investigations and enforcement proceedings are conducted;

(b) conduct their investigations subject to definitive deadlines or within a reasonable time frame, if the investigations are not subject to definitive deadlines;

(c) afford to a person a reasonable opportunity to be represented by legal counsel, including by:

(i) allowing, at the person's request, counsel's participation in all meetings or proceedings between the national competition authority and the person. This sub-subparagraph does not apply to matters occurring before a grand jury, ex parte proceedings, or to searches conducted pursuant to judicial warrants, and

(ii) recognizing a privilege, as acknowledged by its law, if not waived, for lawful confidential communications between the counsel and the person if the communications concern the soliciting or rendering of legal advice; and

(d) with respect to reviews of merger transactions, permit early consultations between the national competition authority and the merging persons to provide their views concerning the transaction, including on potentially dispositive issues.

3. Each Party shall ensure that all information that its national competition authorities obtain during investigations and reviews, and that its law protects as confidential or privileged is not disclosed, subject to applicable legal exceptions.

4. Each Party shall ensure that its national competition authorities do not state or imply in any public notice confirming or revealing the existence of a pending or ongoing investigation against a particular person that that person has in fact violated the Party's national competition laws.

5. Each Party shall ensure that its national competition authorities (1) have the ultimate burden of establishing the legal and factual basis for an alleged violation in an enforcement proceeding; however, a Party may require that a person against whom that allegation is made be responsible for establishing certain defenses to the allegation.

6. Each Party shall ensure that all final decisions in contested civil or administrative matters finding a violation of its national competition laws are in writing and set out the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which they are based. Each Party shall make public those final decisions, with the exception of any confidential material contained therein.

7. Each Party shall ensure that before it imposes a sanction or remedy against a person for a violation of its national competition laws, it affords the person a reasonable opportunity to:

(a) obtain information regarding the national competition authority's concerns, including identification of the specific competition laws alleged to have been violated;

(b) engage with the relevant national competition authority at key points on significant legal, factual, and procedural issues;

(c) have access to information that is necessary to prepare an adequate defense if the person contests the allegations in an enforcement proceeding; however, a national competition authority is not obliged to produce information that is not already in its possession. If a Party's national competition authority (2) introduces or will introduce confidential information in an enforcement proceeding, the Party shall, as permissible under its law, allow the person under investigation or its legal counsel timely access to that information;

(d) be heard and present evidence in its defense, including rebuttal evidence, and, whenever relevant, the analysis of a properly qualified expert;

(e) cross-examine any witness testifying in an enforcement proceeding; and

(f) contest an allegation that the person has violated national competition laws before an impartial judicial or administrative authority, provided that in the case of an administrative authority, the decision-making body must be independent of the unit offering evidence in support of the allegation;

except that a Party may provide for these opportunities within a reasonable time after it imposes an interim measure.

8. Each Party shall provide a person that is subject to the imposition of a fine, sanction, or remedy for violation of its national competition laws with the opportunity to seek judicial review by a court or independent tribunal, including review of alleged substantive or procedural errors, unless the person voluntarily agreed to the imposition of the fine, sanction, or remedy.

9. Each Party shall ensure that criteria used for calculating a fine for a violation of national competition laws are transparent. If a Party imposes a fine as a penalty for a non-criminal violation of its national competition laws that is based on the person's revenue or profit, it shall ensure that the calculation considers revenue or profit relating to the Party's territory.

10. Each Party's national competition authority shall maintain measures to preserve all relevant evidence, including exculpatory evidence, that it collected as part of an enforcement proceeding until the review is exhausted.

(1) For Canada, this includes the public prosecutor for criminal prosecutions.
(2) For Canada, this includes the public prosecutor for criminal prosecutions.

Article 21.3. Cooperation

1. The Parties recognize the importance of cooperation and coordination between their respective national competition authorities to foster effective competition law enforcement in the free trade area. Accordingly, the Parties' national competition authorities shall endeavor to cooperate in relation to their enforcement laws and policies, including through investigative assistance, notification, consultation, and exchange of information.

2. The Parties shall seek to further strengthen cooperation and coordination between their respective national competition authorities, particularly regarding those commercial practices that hinder market efficiency and reduce consumer welfare within the free trade area.

3. Each Party shall adopt or maintain measures sufficient to permit negotiations of cooperation instruments that may address, among other matters, enhanced information sharing and mutual legal assistance.

4. The Parties' national competition authorities shall seek to cooperate with respect to their competition policies and in the enforcement of their respective national competition laws, which may include coordination of investigations that raise common law enforcement concerns. This cooperation shall be compatible with each Party's law and important interests, in accordance with their law governing legal privilege and disclosure of business secrets and other confidential information, and within reasonably available resources. The Parties' national competition authorities may cooperate on the basis of mechanisms that exist or may be developed.

5. Recognizing that the Parties can benefit by sharing their diverse experience in developing, implementing, and enforcing their national competition laws and policies, the Parties' national competition authorities shall consider undertaking mutually agreed technical cooperation activities, including training programs.

6. The Parties acknowledge the importance of cooperation and coordination internationally and the work of multilateral organizations in this area, including the Competition Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the International Competition Network.

Article 21.4. Consumer Protection

1. The Parties recognize the importance of consumer protection policy and enforcement to creating efficient and competitive markets, and enhancing consumer welfare in the free trade area.

2. Each Party shall adopt or maintain national consumer protection laws or other laws or regulations that proscribe fraudulent and deceptive commercial activities, recognizing that the enforcement of those laws and regulations is in the public interest. The laws and regulations a Party adopts or maintains to proscribe these activities may be civil or criminal in nature.

3. The Parties recognize that fraudulent and deceptive commercial activities increasingly transcend national borders and that cooperation and coordination between the Parties to address these activities effectively is important and in the public interest.

4. The Parties shall promote, as appropriate, cooperation and coordination on matters of mutual interest related to fraudulent and deceptive commercial activities, including in the enforcement of their consumer protection laws through activities such as the exchange of consumer complaints and other enforcement information. That cooperation and coordination may be based on cooperation mechanisms in existence. Each Party shall protect confidential information in accordance with its law, including business information.

5. The Parties shall endeavor to cooperate and coordinate on the matters set out in this Article through the relevant national public bodies or officials responsible for consumer protection policy, law, or enforcement, as determined by each Party and compatible with their respective law and important interests, and within their reasonably available resources.

Article 21.5. Transparency

1. The Parties recognize the value of making competition enforcement and advocacy policies as transparent as possible.

2. On request of another Party, a Party shall make available to the requesting Party public information concerning:

(a) its national competition law enforcement policies and practices; and

(b) exemptions and immunities to its national competition laws, provided that the request specifies the particular good or service and market of concern and includes information explaining how the exemption or immunity may hinder trade or investment between the Parties.

Article 21.6. Consultations

1. In order to foster understanding between the Parties, or to address specific matters that arise under this Chapter, on request of another Party, a Party shall enter into consultations with the requesting Party. In its request, the requesting Party shall indicate, if relevant, how the matter affects trade or investment between the Parties.

2. The Party addressed shall accord full and sympathetic consideration to the concerns of the requesting Party.

3. To facilitate discussion of the matter that is the subject of the consultations, each Party shall endeavor to provide relevant non-confidential, non-privileged information to the other Party. Article 21.7: Non-Application of Dispute Settlement

No Party shall have recourse to dispute settlement under Chapter 14 (Investment) or Chapter 31 (Dispute Settlement) for a matter arising under this Chapter.

Chapter 22. STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES AND DESIGNATED MONOPOLIES

Article 22.1. Definitions

For the purposes of this Chapter:

Arrangement means the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits, developed within the framework of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), or a successor undertaking, whether developed within or outside of the OECD framework, that has been adopted by at least 12 original WTO Members that were Participants to the Arrangement as of January 1, 1979;

commercial activities means activities that an enterprise undertakes with an orientation toward profit-making (1) and that result in the production of a good or supply of a service that will be sold to a consumer in the relevant market in quantities and at prices determined by the enterprise; (2)

(1) For greater certainty, activities undertaken by an enterprise that operates on a not-for-profit basis or on a cost-recovery basis are not activities undertaken with an orientation toward profit-making.
(2) For greater certainty, measures of general application to the relevant market shall not be construed as the determination by a Party of pricing, production, or supply decisions of an enterprise.

commercial considerations means price, quality, availability, marketability, transportation, and other terms and conditions of purchase or sale, or other factors that would normally be taken into account in the commercial decisions of a privately owned enterprise in the relevant business or industry;

designate means to establish, name, or authorize a monopoly, or to expand the scope of a monopoly to cover an additional good or service;

designated monopoly means a privately owned monopoly that is designated after the date of entry into force of this Agreement and a government monopoly that a Party designates or has designated;

financial services supplier, financial institution, and financial services have the same meaning as in Article 17.1 (Definitions);

government monopoly means a monopoly that is owned, or controlled through ownership interests, by a Party or by another government monopoly;

independent pension fund means an enterprise that is owned, or controlled through ownership interests, by a Party that:

(a) is engaged exclusively in the following activities:

(i) administering or providing a plan for pension, retirement, social security, disability, death, or employee benefits, or any combination thereof solely for the benefit of natural persons who are contributors to such a plan or their beneficiaries, or

(ii) investing the assets of these plans;

(b) has a fiduciary duty to the natural persons referred to in subparagraph (a)(i); and

(c) is not subject to investment direction by the government of the Party; (3)

(3) Investment direction from the government of a Party does not include general guidance with respect to risk management and asset allocation that is not inconsistent with usual investment practice and is not demonstrated solely by the presence of government officials on the enterprise's board of directors or investment panel.

market means the geographical and commercial market for a good or service;

monopoly means an entity, including a consortium or government agency that, in a relevant market in the territory of a Party, is designated as the sole provider or purchaser of a good or service, but does not include an entity that has been granted an exclusive intellectual property right solely by reason of the grant;

non-commercial assistance (4) means assistance that is limited to certain enterprises, and:

(4) For greater certainty, non-commercial assistance does not include a Party's transfer of funds, collected from contributors to a plan for pension, retirement, social security, disability, death or employee benefits, or any combination thereof, to an independent pension fund for investment on behalf of the contributors and their beneficiaries.

(a) "assistance" means the following forms of assistance:

(i) direct transfers of funds or potential direct transfers of funds or liabilities, such as:

(A) grants or debt forgiveness,

(B) loans, loan guarantees, or other types of financing on terms more favorable than those commercially available to that enterprise, or

(C) equity capital inconsistent with the usual investment practice (including for the provision of risk capital) of private investors,

(i) the provision of goods or the supply of services other than general infrastructure, on terms more favorable than those commercially available to the enterprise, or

(ii) the purchase of goods on terms more favorable than those commercially available to the enterprise;

(b) "certain enterprises" means an enterprise or industry or group of enterprises or industries;

(c) "limited to certain enterprises" means that the Party or any of the Party's state enterprises or state-owned enterprises, or a combination thereof:

(i) explicitly limits access to the assistance to certain enterprises,

(ii) provides assistance to a limited number of certain enterprises,

(iii) provides assistance which is predominantly used by certain enterprises,

(iv) provides a disproportionately large amount of the assistance to certain enterprises, or

(v) otherwise favors certain enterprises through the use of its discretion in the provision of assistance; (5) and

(5) For greater certainty, assistance that is limited, in law or fact, to state enterprises or state-owned enterprises of a Party, or a combination thereof, is "limited to certain enterprises".

(d) assistance that falls under Article 22.6.1, Article 22.6.2, or Article 22.6.3 (Non- Commercial Assistance) shall be deemed to be "limited to certain enterprises";

public service mandate means a government mandate pursuant to which a state-owned enterprise makes available a service, directly or indirectly, to the general public in its territory; (6)

(6) For greater certainty, a service to the general public includes the distribution of goods and the supply of general infrastructure services.

state-owned enterprise means an enterprise that is principally engaged in commercial activities, and in which a Party:

(a) directly or indirectly (7) owns more than 50 percent of the share capital; 

(b) controls, through direct or indirect ownership interests, the exercise of more than 50 percent of the voting rights;

(c) holds the power to control the enterprise through any other ownership interest, including indirect or minority ownership; (8) or

(d) holds the power to appoint a majority of members of the board of directors or any other equivalent management body.

(7) For the purposes of this definition, the term "indirectly" refers to situations in which a Party holds an ownership interest in an enterprise through one or more state enterprises of that Party. At each level of the ownership chain, the state enterprise "either alone or in combination with other state enterprises" must own, or control through ownership interests, another enterprise.
(8) For the purposes of this subparagraph, a Party holds the power to control the enterprise if, through an ownership interest, it can determine or direct important matters affecting the enterprise, excluding minority shareholder protections. In determining whether a Party has this power, all relevant legal and factual elements shall be taken into account on a case-by-case basis. Those elements may include the power to determine or direct commercial operations, including major expenditures or investments; issuances of equity or significant debt offerings; or the restructuring, merger, or dissolution of the enterprise.

Article 22.2. Scope

1. This Chapter applies to the activities of state-owned enterprises, state enterprises, or designated monopolies of a Party that affect or could affect trade or investment between Parties within the free trade area. This Chapter also applies to the activities of state-owned enterprises of a Party that cause adverse effects in the market of a non-Party as provided in Article 22.7 (Adverse Effects).

2. This Chapter does not apply to:

(a) the regulatory or supervisory activities, or monetary and related credit policy and exchange rate policy, of a central bank or monetary authority of a Party;

(b) the regulatory or supervisory activities of a financial regulatory body of a Party, including a non-governmental body, such as a securities or futures exchange or market, clearing agency, or other organization or association, that exercises regulatory or supervisory authority over financial services suppliers; or

(c) activities undertaken by a Party or one of its state enterprises or state-owned enterprises for the purpose of the resolution of a failing or failed financial institution or any other failing or failed enterprise principally engaged in the supply of financial services.

3. This Chapter does not apply to:

(a) an independent pension fund of a Party; or

(b) an enterprise owned or controlled by an independent pension fund of a Party, except:

(i) Article 22.6.1, Article 22.6.2, Article 22.6.4, and Article 22.6.6 (Non-Commercial Assistance) apply only to a Party’s direct or indirect provision of non-commercial assistance to an enterprise owned or controlled by an independent pension fund, and

(ii) Article 22.6.1, Article 22.6.2, Article 22.6.4, and Article 22.6.6 (Non- Commercial Assistance) apply only to a Party’s indirect provision of non-commercial assistance through an enterprise owned or controlled by an independent pension fund.

4. This Chapter does not apply to government procurement.

5. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent a Party from:

(a) establishing or maintaining a state enterprise or a state-owned enterprise; or

(b) designating a monopoly.

6. Article 22.4 (Non-Discriminatory Treatment and Commercial Considerations), Article 22.6 (Non-Commercial Assistance), and Article 22.10 (Transparency) do not apply to a service supplied in the exercise of governmental authority. (9)

7. Article 22.4.1(b), Article 22.4.(c), Article 22.4.2(b), and Article 22.4.2(c) (Non- Discriminatory Treatment and Commercial Considerations) do not apply to the extent that a Party's state-owned enterprise or designated monopoly makes purchases and sales of goods or services pursuant to:

(a) an existing non-conforming measure that the Party maintains, continues, renews or amends in accordance with Article 14.12.1 (Non-Conforming Measures), Article 15.7.1 (Non-Conforming Measures) or Article 17.10.1 (Non-Conforming Measures), as set out in its Schedule to Annex I or in Section A of its Schedule to Annex II; or

(b) a non-conforming measure that the Party adopts or maintains with respect to sectors, subsectors, or activities in accordance with Article 14.12.2 (Non- Conforming Measures), Article 15.7.2 (Non-Conforming Measures) or Article 17.10.2 (Non-Conforming Measures), as set out in its Schedule to Annex I or in Section B of its Schedule to Annex II.

(9) For the purposes of this paragraph, "a service supplied in the exercise of governmental authority" has the same meaning as in the GATS, including the meaning in its Financial Services Annex if applicable.

Article 22.3. Delegated Authority

Consistent with Article 1.3 (Persons Exercising Delegated Governmental Authority), each Party shall ensure that if its state-owned enterprises, state enterprises, or designated monopolies exercise regulatory, administrative, or other governmental authority that the Party has directed or delegated to those entities to carry out, those entities act in a manner that is not inconsistent with that Party's obligations under this Agreement. (10)

(10) Examples of regulatory, administrative, or other governmental authority include the power to expropriate, grant licenses, approve commercial transactions, or impose quotas, fees, or other charges.

Article 22.4. Non-Discriminatory Treatment and Commercial Considerations

1. Each Party shall ensure that each of its state-owned enterprises, when engaging in commercial activities:

(a) acts in accordance with commercial considerations in its purchase or sale of a good or service, except to fulfil the terms of its public service mandate that are not inconsistent with subparagraphs (b) or (c)(ii);

(b) in its purchase of a good or service:

(i) accords to a good or service supplied by an enterprise of another Party treatment no less favorable than it accords to a like good or a like service supplied by enterprises of the Party, of any other Party or of a non-Party, and

(ii) accords to a good or service supplied by an enterprise that is a covered investment in the Party's territory treatment no less favorable than it accords to a like good or a like service supplied by enterprises in the relevant market in the Party's territory that are investments of investors of the Party, of another Party or of a non-Party; and

(c) in its sale of a good or service:

(i) accords to an enterprise of another Party treatment no less favorable than it accords to enterprises of the Party, of any other Party or of a non-Party, and

(ii) accords to an enterprise that is a covered investment in the Party's territory treatment no less favorable than it accords to enterprises in the relevant market in the Party's territory that are investments of investors of the Party, of another Party or of a non-Party. (11)

(11) Article 22.4.1 (Non-Discriminatory Treatment and Commercial Considerations) does not apply with respect to the purchase or sale of shares, stock, or other forms of equity by a state-owned enterprise as a means of its equity participation in another enterprise.

2. Each Party shall ensure that each of its designated monopolies:

(a) acts in accordance with commercial considerations in its purchase or sale of the monopoly good or service in the relevant market, except to fulfil any terms of its designation that are not inconsistent with subparagraphs (b), (c), or (d);

(b) in its purchase of the monopoly good or service:

(i) accords to a good or service supplied by an enterprise of another Party treatment no less favorable than it accords to a like good or a like service supplied by enterprises of the Party, of any other Party or of a non-Party, and

(ii) accords to a good or service supplied by an enterprise that is a covered investment in the Party's territory treatment no less favorable than it accords to a like good or a like service supplied by enterprises in the relevant market in the Party's territory that are investments of investors of the Party, of another Party or of a non-Party; and

(c) in its sale of the monopoly good or service:

(i) accords to an enterprise of another Party treatment no less favorable than it accords to enterprises of the Party, of any other Party or of a non-Party, and

(ii) accords to an enterprise that is a covered investment in the Party's territory treatment no less favorable than it accords to enterprises in the relevant market in the Party's territory that are investments of investors of the Party, of another Party or of a non-Party; and

(d) does not use its monopoly position to engage in, either directly or indirectly, including through its dealings with its parent, subsidiaries, or other entities the Party or the designated monopoly owns, anticompetitive practices in a non-monopolized market in its territory that negatively affect trade or investment between the Parties.

  • 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