Colombia - United States TPA (2006)
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Article 5.1. Publication

1. Each Party shall publish, including on the Internet, its customs laws, regulations, and general administrative procedures.

2 Each Party shall designate or maintain one or more inquiry points to address inquiries by interested persons concerning customs matters and shall make available on the Internet information concerning the procedures for making such inquiries.

3. To the extent possible, each Party shall publish in advance any regulations of general application governing customs matters that it proposes to adopt and provide interested persons the opportunity to comment prior to their adoption.

Article 5.2. Release of Goods

1. Each Party shall adopt or maintain simplified customs procedures for the efficient release of goods in order to facilitate trade between the Parties.

2. Pursuant to paragraph 1, each Party shall adopt or maintain procedures that:

(a) provide for the release of goods within a period no greater than that required to ensure compliance with its customs laws, and to the extent posible release the goods within 48 hours of arrival;

(b) allow goods to be released at the point of arrival, without temporary transfer to warehouses or other facilities; and

(c) allow importers to withdraw goods from customs before and without prejudice to the final determination by its customs authority of the applicable customs duties, taxes, and fees. (1)

(1) A Party may require an importer to provide sufficient guarantee in the form of a surety, a deposit, or some other appropriate instrument, covering the ultimate payment of the customs duties, taxes, and fees in connection with the importation of the good.

Article 5.3. Automation

Each Party shall endeavor to use information technology that expedites procedures for the release of goods. When deciding on the information technology to be used for this purpose, each Party shall:

(a) endeavor to use international standards;

(b) make electronic systems accessible to customs users;

(c) provide for electronic submission and processing of information and data before arrival of the shipment to allow for the release of goods on arrival;

(d) employ electronic or automated systems for risk analysis and targeting;

(e) work towards developing compatible electronic systems among the Parties' customs authorities, to facilitate government to government exchange of international trade data; and

(f) work towards developing a set of common data elements and processes in accordance with World Customs Organization (WCO) Customs Data Model and related WCO recommendations and guidelines.

Article 5.4. Risk Management

Each Party shall endeavor to adopt or maintain risk management systems that enable its customs authority to focus its inspection activities on high-risk goods and that simplify the clearance and movement of low-risk goods, while respecting the confidential nature of the information it obtains through such activities.

Article 5.5. Cooperation

1. With a view to facilitating the effective operation of this Agreement, each Party shall endeavor to provide each other Party with advance notice of any significant modification of administrative policy or other similar development related to its laws or regulations governing importations that is likely to substantially affect the operation of this Agreement.

2. The Parties shall cooperate in achieving compliance with their respective laws and regulations pertaining to:

(a) the implementation and operation of the provisions of this Agreement governing importations or exportations, including claims of origin and origin procedures;

(b) the implementation and operation of the Customs Valuation Agreement;

(c) restrictions or prohibitions on imports or exports; and (d) other customs matters as the Parties may agree.

3. Where a Party has a reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity related to its laws or regulations governing importations, the Party may request that another Party provide specific confidential information normally collected in connection with the importation of goods.

4. A Party's request under paragraph 3 shall be in writing, shall specify the purpose for which the information is sought, and shall identify the requested information with sufficient specificity for the other Party to locate and provide the information.

5. The Party from whom the information is requested shall, in accordance with its law and any relevant international agreements to which it is a party, provide a written response containing such information.

6. For purposes of paragraph 3, "a reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity" means a suspicion based on relevant factual information obtained from public or private sources comprising one or more of the following:

(a) historical evidence of non-compliance with laws or regulations governing importations by an importer or exporter;

(b) historical evidence of non-compliance with laws or regulations governing importations by a manufacturer, producer, or other person involved in the movement of goods from the territory of one Party to the territory of another Party;

(c) historical evidence that some or all of the persons involved in the movement from the territory of one Party to the territory of another Party of goods within a specific product sector have not complied with a Party's laws or regulations governing importations; or

(d) other information that the requesting Party and the Party from whom the information is requested agree is sufficient in the context of a particular request.

7. Each Party shall endeavor to provide another Party with any other information that would assist that Party in determining whether imports from or exports to that Party are in compliance with the other Party's laws or regulations governing importations, in particular those related to the prevention of unlawful activities such as smuggling and similar infractions.

8. For purposes of facilitating trade between the Parties, each Party shall endeavor to provide the other Parties with technical advice and assistance for the purpose of improving risk assessment and risk management techniques, facilitating the implementation of international supply chain standards, simplifying and expediting customs procedures for the timely and efficient clearance of goods, advancing the technical skill of personnel, and enhancing the use of technologies that can lead to improved compliance with regard to a Party's laws or regulations governing importations.

9. The Parties shall endeavor to cooperate to enhance each Party's ability to enforce its regulations governing importations. The Parties shall further endeavor to establish and maintain other channels of communication to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information and to improve coordination on importation issues.

Article 5.6. Confidentiality

1. Where a Party providing information to another Party in accordance with this Chapter designates the information as confidential, the other Party shall maintain the confidentiality of the information. The Party providing the information may require a written assurance from the other Party that the information will be held in confidence, will be used only for the purposes specified in the other Party's request for information, and will not be disclosed without the Party's specific permission.

2. A Party may decline to provide information requested by another Party where that Party has failed to act in conformity with the assurance provided under paragraph 1.

3. Each Party shall adopt or maintain procedures in which confidential information, including information the disclosure of which could prejudice the competitive position of the person providing the information, submitted in accordance with the administration of the Party's customs laws, shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure.

Article 5.7. Express Shipments

Each Party shall adopt or maintain expedited customs procedures for express shipments while maintaining appropriate customs control and selection. These procedures shall:

(a) provide a separate and expedited customs procedure for express shipments;

(b) provide for the submission and processing of information necessary for the release of an express shipment before the express shipment arrives;

(c) allow submission of a single manifest covering all goods contained in a shipment transported by an express shipment service, through, if possible, electronic means;

(d) to the extent possible, provide for clearance of certain goods with a minimum of documentation;

(e) under normal circumstances, provide for clearance of express shipments within six hours after submission of the necessary customs documents, provided the shipment has arrived;

(f) apply without regard to weight or customs value; and

(g) provide, under normal circumstances, that no customs duties or taxes will be assessed on, nor will formal entry documents be required for, express shipments valued at US$200 or less. (2)

(2) Notwithstanding Article 5.7(g), a Party may require that express shipments be accompanied by an airway bill or bill of lading. For greater certainty, a Party may assess customs duties or taxes and may require formal entry documents for restricted goods.

Article 5.8. Review and Appeal

Each Party shall ensure that with respect to its determinations (3) on customs matters, importers in its territory have access to:

(a) a level of administrative review independent of the employee or office that issued the determinations; and

(b) judicial review of the determinations.

(3) For purposes of this Article, a determination, if made by a Party other than the United States means an administrative act.

Article 5.9. Penalties

Each Party shall adopt or maintain measures that allow for the imposition of civil or administrative penalties and, where appropriate, criminal sanctions for violations of its customs laws and regulations, including those governing tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, and claims for preferential treatment under this Agreement.

Article 5.10. Advance Rulings

1. Each Party shall issue, before a good is imported into its territory, a written advance ruling at the written request of an importer in its territory, or an exporter or producer (4) in the territory of another Party with regard to:

(a) tariff classification;

(b) the application of customs valuation criteria for a particular case, in accordance with the application of the provisions set forth in the Customs Valuation Agreement;

(c) the application of duty drawback, deferral, or other relief from customs duties;

(d) whether a good is originating in accordance with Chapter Four (Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures);

(e) whether a good re-entered into the territory of a Party after being exported to the territory of the other Party for repair or alteration is eligible for duty free treatment in accordance with Article 2.6 (Goods Re-entered after Repair or Alteration);

(f) country of origin marking;

(g) the application of quotas; and (h) such other matters as the Parties may agree.

2. Each Party shall issue an advance ruling within 150 days after a request, provided that the requester has submitted all information that the Party requires, including, if the Party requests, a sample of the good for which the requester is seeking an advance ruling. In issuing an advance ruling, the Party shall take into account facts and circumstances the requester has provided.

3. Each Party shall provide that advance rulings shall be in force from their date of issuance, or another date specified in the ruling, provided that the facts or circumstances on which the ruling is based remain unchanged.

4. The issuing Party may modify or revoke an advance ruling after the Party notifies the requester. The issuing Party may modify or revoke a ruling retroactively only if the ruling was based on inaccurate or false information.

5. Subject to any confidentiality requirements in its laws, each Party shall make its advance rulings publicly available.

6. If a requester provides false information or omits relevant facts or circumstances relating to the advance ruling, or does not act in accordance with the ruling's terms and conditions, the importing Party may apply appropriate measures, including civil, criminal, and administrative actions, monetary penalties, or other sanctions.

(4) For greater certainty, an importer, exporter, or producer may submit a request for an advance ruling through a duly authorized representative.

Article 5.11. Implementation

For Colombia:

(a) Articles 5.1.1, 5.1.2, and 5.7 shall enter into force two years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement;

(b) Article 5.10 shall enter into force three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement; and

(c) Article 5.2 shall enter into force one year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

Chapter Six. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

Objectives

The objectives of this Chapter are to protect human, animal, or plant life or health in the Parties’ territories, enhance the Parties’ implementation of the SPS Agreement, provide a Standing Committee for addressing sanitary and phytosanitary matters, attempt to resolve trade issues, and thereby expand trade opportunities.

Article 6.1. Scope and Coverage

This Chapter applies to all sanitary and phytosanitary measures of a Party that may, directly or indirectly, affect trade between the Parties.

Article 6.2. General Provisions

1. Further to Article 1.2 (Relation to Other Agreements), the Parties affirm their existing rights and obligations with respect to each other under the SPS Agreement.

2. No Party may have recourse to dispute settlement under this Agreement for any matter arising under this Chapter.

Article 6.3. Standing Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters

1. Not later than 30 days after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties shall establish a Standing Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters (the "Standing Committee"). The objectives of the Standing Committee shall be to enhance the implementation by each Party of the SPS Agreement, protect human, animal, or plant life or health, enhance consultation and cooperation between the Parties on sanitary and phytosanitary matters, and address measures affecting trade between the Parties.

2. The Parties shall establish the Standing Committee through an exchange of letters identifying the primary representative of each Party to the Standing Committee and establishing the Standing Committee's terms of reference.

3. The Standing Committee shall seek to enhance any present or future relationships between the Parties' agencies and ministries with responsibility for sanitary and phytosanitary matters.

4. The Standing Committee shall provide a forum for:

(a) improving the Parties' understanding of specific issues relating to the implementation of the SPS Agreement;

(b) enhancing mutual understanding of each Party's sanitary and phytosanitary measures and the regulatory processes that relate to those measures;

(c) consulting on and attempting to resolve matters related to the development or application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures that affect, or may affect, trade between the Parties;

(d) coordinating and making recommendations on technical assistance programs on sanitary and phytosanitary matters to the Committee on Trade Capacity Building; and

(e) consulting on issues, positions, and agendas for meetings of the WTO SPS Committee, the various Codex Committees (including the Codex Alimentarius Commission), the International Plant Protection Convention, the World Organization for Animal Health, and other international and regional fora on food safety and human, animal, and plant health.

5. The Standing Committee shall meet at least once a year unless the Parties otherwise agree.

6. The Standing Committee shall perform its work in accordance with its terms of reference. The Standing Committee may revise its terms of reference and establish procedures to guide its operation.

7. The Standing Committee may establish ad hoc technical working groups, as needed, in accordance with its terms of reference.

8. Each Party shall ensure that appropriate representatives with responsibility for the development, implementation, and enforcement of sanitary and phytosanitary measures from its relevant trade and regulatory agencies or ministries participate in meetings of the Standing Committee.

9. All decisions of the Standing Committee shall be taken by consensus, unless the Committee otherwise decides.

Chapter Seven. Technical Barriers to Trade

Article 7.1. Affirmation of the Tbt Agreement

Further to Article 1.2 (Relation to Other Agreements), the Parties affirm their existing rights and obligations with respect to each other under the TBT Agreement.

Article 7.2. Scope and Coverage

1. This Chapter applies to the preparation, adoption, and application of all standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures of central government bodies that may, directly or indirectly, affect trade in goods between the Parties, (1) including any amendments (2) thereto and any addition to their rules or the product coverage thereof, except amendments and additions of an insignificant nature.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, this Chapter does not apply to:

(a) technical specifications prepared by governmental bodies for production or consumption requirements of such bodies; and

(b) sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

(1) For greater certainty, the Parties understand that any reference in this Chapter to a standard, technical regulation, or conformity assessment procedure includes those related to metrology.
(2) "Any amendments" includes the elimination of technical regulations.

Article 7.3. Trade Facilitation

1. The Parties shall intensify their joint work in the field of standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures with a view to facilitating trade between the Parties. In particular, the Parties shall seek to identify, develop, and promote trade facilitating initiatives regarding standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures that are appropriate for particular issues or sectors, taking into consideration the Parties' experience in other bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements, as appropriate. Such initiatives may include cooperation on regulatory issues, such as convergence, alignment with international standards, reliance on a supplier's declaration of conformity, the recognition and acceptance of the results of conformity assessment procedures, and the use of accreditation to qualify conformity assessment bodies.

2. In determining whether an international standard, guide, or recommendation within the meaning of Articles 2 and 5 and Annex 3 of the TBT Agreement exists, each Party shall apply the principles set out in Decisions and Recommendations adopted by the Committee since 1 January 1995, G/TBT/1/Rev.8, 23 May 2002, Section IX (Decision of the Committee on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations with relation to Articles 2, 5 and Annex 3 of the Agreement) issued by the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.

3. Where a Party detains at a port of entry a good originating in the territory of another Party due to a perceived failure to comply with a technical regulation, it shall immediately notify the importer of the reasons for the detention.

4. On request of another Party, a Party shall give favorable consideration to any sector-specific proposal that the requesting Party makes for further cooperation under this Chapter.

Article 7.4. Conformity Assessment

1. The Parties recognize that a broad range of mechanisms exists to facilitate the acceptance in a Party's territory of the results of conformity assessment procedures conducted in another Party's territory. For example:

(a) the importing Party may rely on a supplier's declaration of conformity;

(b) a conformity assessment body located in the territory of a Party may enter into a voluntary arrangement with a conformity assessment body located in the territory of another Party to accept the results of each other's assessment procedures;

(c) a Party may agree with another Party to accept the results of conformity assessment procedures that bodies located in the other Party's territory conduct with respect to specific technical regulations;

(d) a Party may adopt accreditation procedures for qualifying conformity assessment bodies located in the territory of another Party;

(e) a Party may designate conformity assessment bodies located in the territory of another Party; and

(f) a Party may recognize the results of conformity assessment procedures conducted in the territory of another Party. The Parties shall intensify their exchange of information on these and other similar mechanisms.

2. Where a Party does not accept the results of a conformity assessment procedure conducted in the territory of another Party, it shall, on request of that other Party, explain the reasons so that corrective action may be taken, if necessary.

3. Each Party shall accredit, approve, license, or otherwise recognize conformity assessment bodies in the territories of the other Parties on terms no less favorable than those it accords to conformity assessment bodies in its territory. Where a Party accredits, approves, licenses, or otherwise recognizes a body assessing conformity with a specific technical regulation or standard in its territory and refuses to accredit, approve, license, or otherwise recognize a body assessing conformity with that technical regulation or standard in the territory of another Party, it shall, on request of that other Party, explain the reasons for its decision so that corrective action may be taken, if necessary.

4. Where a Party declines a request from another Party to engage in negotiations or conclude an agreement on facilitating recognition in its territory of the results of conformity assessment procedures conducted by bodies in the other Party's territory, it shall, on request of that other Party, explain the reasons for its decision.

Article 7.5. Technical Regulations

1. Where a Party provides that foreign technical regulations may be accepted as equivalent to a specific technical regulation of its own, and the Party does not accept a technical regulation of another Party as equivalent to that technical regulation, it shall, at the request of that other Party, explain the reasons for its decision. A Party seeking the acceptance of its technical regulation as equivalent should provide, as appropriate, information regarding the relationship of its technical regulation to international standards referenced in the technical regulation of the other Party, the circumstances which gave rise to the adoption of its technical regulation, and the similarity of the respective conformity assessment procedures.

2. Where a Party does not provide that foreign technical regulations may be accepted as equivalent to its own, it shall, at the request of another Party, explain its reasons for not accepting that other Party's technical regulations as equivalent.

3. At the request of a Party which may have an interest in developing a similar technical regulation, and in order to minimize duplicate expenses, the other Party shall provide any available information, studies, or other relevant documents, except for confidential information on which it has relied in the development of a technical regulation.

Article 7.6. Transparency

1. Each Party shall allow persons of the other Parties to participate in the development of its standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures. Each Party shall permit persons of the other Parties to participate in the development of such measures on terms no less favorable than those accorded to its own persons and to persons of any other Party.

2. Each Party shall recommend that non-governmental standardizing bodies in its territory observe paragraph 1.

3. In order to enhance the opportunity for persons to be aware of, and to understand, proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, and to be able to provide meaningful comments on such regulations and procedures, a Party publishing a notice and filing a notification under Article 2.9, 3.2, 5.6 or 7.2 of the TBT Agreement, shall:

(a) include in the notice a statement describing the objective of the proposed technical regulation or conformity assessment procedure and the rationale for the approach the Party is proposing; and

(b) transmit the proposal electronically to the other Parties through the inquiry points each Party has established under Article 10 of the TBT Agreement at the same time as it notifies other WTO Members of the proposal pursuant to the TBT Agreement.

Each Party shall publish and notify those technical regulations that are in accordance with the technical content of any relevant international standards.

Each Party should allow at least 60 days after it transmits a proposal under subparagraph (b) for persons and the other Parties to provide comments in writing on the proposal. A Party shall give favorable consideration to reasonable requests for extending the comment period.

4. Each Party shall publish or otherwise make available to the public, either in print or electronically, its responses to significant comments that it receives from persons or the other Parties under paragraph 3 no later than the date it publishes the final technical regulation or conformity assessment procedure.

5. Where a Party makes a notification under Article 2.10, 3.2, 5.7, or 7.2 of the TBT Agreement because urgent problems have arisen or threaten to arise, the notifying Party shall at the same time transmit the notification electronically to the other Parties through the inquiry points referenced in subparagraph 3(b). Each Party also shall notify those technical regulations that are in accordance with the technical content of any relevant international standards.

6. A Party shall, on request of another Party, provide information regarding the objectives of, and rationale for, a standard, technical regulation, or conformity assessment procedure that the Party has adopted or is proposing to adopt.

7. Each Party shall implement this Article as soon as is practicable and under no circumstance later than three years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

Article 7.7. Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade

1. The Parties hereby establish the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, comprising representatives of each Party, as set out in Annex 7.7.

2. The Committee's functions shall include:

(a) monitoring the implementation and administration of this Chapter;

(b) promptly addressing any issue that a Party raises related to the development, adoption, application, or enforcement of standards, technical regulations, or conformity assessment procedures;

(c) enhancing cooperation in the development and improvement of standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures and, as appropriate, designing and proposing mechanisms for technical assistance of the type described in Article 11 of the TBT Agreement, in coordination with the Committee on Trade Capacity Building, as appropriate;

  • Chapter   One 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
  • Section   B General Definitions 1
  • Article   1.3 Definitions of General Application 1
  • Annex 1.3  Country-Specific Definitions 1
  • Chapter   Two National Treatment and Market Access for Goods 1
  • Article   2.1 Scope and Coverage 1
  • Section   A National Treatment 1
  • Article   2.2 National Treatment 1
  • Section   B Tariff Elimination 1
  • Article   2.3 Tariff Elimination 1
  • Section   C Special Regimes 1
  • Article   2.4 Waiver of Customs Duties 1
  • Article   2.5 Temporary Admission of Goods 1
  • Article   2.6 Goods Re-entered after Repair or Alteration 1
  • Article   2.7 Duty-free Entry of Commercial Samples of Negligible Value and Printed Advertising Materials 1
  • Section   D Non-Tariff Measures 1
  • Article   2.8 Import and Export Restrictions 1
  • Article   2.9 Import Licensing 2
  • Article   2.10 Administrative Fees and Formalities 2
  • Article   2.11 Export Taxes 2
  • Section   E Other Measures 2
  • Article   2.12 Distinctive Products 2
  • Section   F Institutional Provisions 2
  • Article   2.13 Committee on Trade In Goods 2
  • Section   G Agriculture 2
  • Article   2.14 Scope and Coverage 2
  • Article   2.15 Administration and Implementation of Tariff-rate Quotas 2
  • Article   2.16 Agricultural Export Subsidies 2
  • Article   2.17 Export State Trading Enterprises 2
  • Article   2.18 Agricultural Safeguard Measures 2
  • Article   2.19 Sugar Compensation Mechanism 2
  • Article   2.20 Consultations on Trade In Chicken 2
  • Article   2.21 Committee on Agricultural Trade 2
  • Section   H Definitions 2
  • Article   2.22 Definitions 2
  • Chapter   Three Textiles and Apparel  (1) 2
  • Article   3.1 Textile Safeguard Measures 2
  • Article   3.2 Customs Cooperation and Verification of Origin 2
  • Article   3.3 Rules of Origin, Origin Procedures, and Related Matters 3
  • Article   3.4 Committee on Textile and Apparel Trade Matters 3
  • Article   3.5 Definitions 3
  • Chapter   Four Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures 3
  • Section   A Rules of Origin 3
  • Article   4.1 Originating Goods 3
  • Article   4.2 Regional Value Content 3
  • Article   4.3 Value of Materials 3
  • Article   4.4 Further Adjustments to the Value of Materials 3
  • Article   4.5 Accumulation 3
  • Article   4.6 De Minimis 3
  • Article   4.7 Fungible Goods and Materials 3
  • Article   4.8 Accessories, Spare Parts, and Tools 3
  • Article   4.9 Sets of Goods 3
  • Article   4.10 Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale 3
  • Article   4.11 Packing Materials and Containers for Shipment 3
  • Article   4.12 Indirect Materials Used In Production 4
  • Article   4.13 Transit and Transshipment 4
  • Article   4.14 Consultation and Modifications 4
  • Section   B Origin Procedures 4
  • Article   4.15 Claims for Preferential Treatment 4
  • Article   4.16 Exceptions 4
  • Article   4.17 Record Keeping Requirements 4
  • Article   4.18 Verification 4
  • Article   4.19 Obligations Relating to Importations 4
  • Article   4.20 Obligations Relating to Exportations 4
  • Article   4.21 Common Guidelines 4
  • Article   4.22 Implementation 4
  • Article   4.23 Definitions 4
  • Chapter   Five Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation 5
  • Article   5.1 Publication 5
  • Article   5.2 Release of Goods 5
  • Article   5.3 Automation 5
  • Article   5.4 Risk Management 5
  • Article   5.5 Cooperation 5
  • Article   5.6 Confidentiality 5
  • Article   5.7 Express Shipments 5
  • Article   5.8 Review and Appeal 5
  • Article   5.9 Penalties 5
  • Article   5.10 Advance Rulings 5
  • Article   5.11 Implementation 5
  • Chapter   Six Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 5
  • Article   6.1 Scope and Coverage 5
  • Article   6.2 General Provisions 5
  • Article   6.3 Standing Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters 5
  • Chapter   Seven Technical Barriers to Trade 5
  • Article   7.1 Affirmation of the Tbt Agreement 5
  • Article   7.2 Scope and Coverage 5
  • Article   7.3 Trade Facilitation 5
  • Article   7.4 Conformity Assessment 5
  • Article   7.5 Technical Regulations 5
  • Article   7.6 Transparency 5
  • Article   7.7 Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade 5
  • Article   7.8 Information Exchange 6
  • Article   7.9 Definitions 6
  • Chapter   Eight Trade Remedies 6
  • Section   A Safeguard Measures 6
  • Article   8.1 Imposition of a Safeguard Measure 6
  • Article   8.2 Standards for a Safeguard Measure 6
  • Article   8.3 Investigation Procedures and Transparency Requirements 6
  • Article   8.4 Notification and Consultation 6
  • Article   8.5 Compensation 6
  • Article   8.6 Global Safeguard Measures 6
  • Article   8.7 Definitions 6
  • Section   B Antidumping and Countervailing Measures 6
  • Article   8.8 Antidumping and Countervailing Measures 6
  • Chapter   Nine Government Procurement 6
  • Article   9.1 Scope and Coverage 6
  • Article   9.2 General Principles 6
  • Article   9.3 Publication of Procurement Information 6
  • Article   9.4 Publication of Notices 6
  • Article   9.5 Time Limits 6
  • Article   9.6 Information on Intended Procurements 7
  • Article   9.7 Conditions for Participation 7
  • Article   9.8 Limited Tendering 7
  • Article   9.9 Treatment of Tenders and Awarding of Contracts 7
  • Article   9.10 Ensuring Integrity In Procurement Practices 7
  • Article   9.11 Domestic Review of Supplier Challenges 7
  • Article   9.12 Modifications and Rectifications to Coverage 7
  • Article   9.13 Disclosure of Information 7
  • Article   9.14 Exceptions 7
  • Article   9.15 Committee on Procurement 7
  • Article   9.16 Definitions 7
  • Chapter   Ten Investment 8
  • Section   A Investment 8
  • Article   10.1 Scope and Coverage  (1) 8
  • Article   10.2 Relation to other Chapters 8
  • Article   10.3 National Treatment 8
  • Article   10.4 Most-favored-nation Treatment 8
  • Article   10.5 Minimum Standard of Treatment  (3) 8
  • Article   10.6 Treatment In Case of Strife 8
  • Article   10.7 Expropriation and Compensation  (4) 8
  • Article   10.8 Transfers 8
  • Article   10.9 Performance Requirements 8
  • Article   10.10 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 8
  • Article   10.11 Investment and Environment 8
  • Article   10.12 Denial of Benefits 8
  • Article   10.13 Non-conforming Measures 8
  • Article   10.14 Special Formalities and Information Requirements 8
  • Section   B Investor-State Dispute Settlement 8
  • Article   10.15 Consultation and Negotiation 8
  • Article   10.16 Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 8
  • Article   10.17 Consent of Each Party to Arbitration 9
  • Article   10.18 Conditions and Limitations on Consent of Each Party 9
  • Article   10.19 Selection of Arbitrators 9
  • Article   10.20 Conduct of the Arbitration 9
  • Article   10.21 Transparency of Arbitral Proceedings 9
  • Article   10.22 Governing Law 9
  • Article   10.23 Interpretation of Annexes 9
  • Article   10.24 Expert Reports 9
  • Article   10.25 Consolidation 9
  • Article   10.26 Awards 9
  • Article   10.27 Service of Documents 9
  • Article   10.28 Definitions 9
  • Chapter   Eleven Cross-border Trade In Services 10
  • Section   CHAPTER ELEVEN 10
  • Article   11.1 Scope and Coverage 10
  • Article   11.2 National Treatment 10
  • Article   11.3 Most-favored-nation Treatment 10
  • Article   11.4 Market Access 10
  • Article   11.5 Local Presence 10
  • Article   11.6 Non-conforming Measures 10
  • Article   11.7 Domestic Regulation 10
  • Article   11.8 Transparency In Developing and Applying Regulations  (3) 10
  • Article   11.9 Recognition 10
  • Article   11.10 Transfers and Payments 10
  • Article   11.11 Denial of Benefits 10
  • Article   11.12 Specific Commitments 10
  • Article   11.13 Implementation 10
  • Article   11.14 Definitions 10
  • Chapter   Twelve Financial Services 10
  • Article   12.1 Scope and Coverage 10
  • Article   12.2 National Treatment 11
  • Article   12.3 Most-favored-nation Treatment 11
  • Article   12.4 Market Access for Financial Institutions 11
  • Article   12.5 Cross-border Trade 11
  • Article   12.6 New Financial Services  (2) 11
  • Article   12.7 Treatment of Certain Information 11
  • Article   12.8 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 11
  • Article   12.9 Non-conforming Measures 11
  • Article   12.10 Exceptions 11
  • Article   12.11 Transparency and Administration of Certain Measures 11
  • Article   12.12 Self-regulatory Organizations 11
  • Article   12.13 Payment and Clearing Systems 11
  • Article   12.14 Expedited Availability of Insurance Services 11
  • Article   12.15 Specific Commitments 11
  • Article   12.16 Financial Services Committee 11
  • Article   12.17 Consultations 11
  • Article   12.18 Dispute Settlement 11
  • Article   12.19 Investment Disputes In Financial Services 11
  • Article   12.20 Definitions 11
  • Chapter   Thirteen Competition Policy, Designated Monopolies, and State Enterprises 12
  • Article   13.1 Objectives 12
  • Article   13.2 Competition Law and Anticompetitive Business Conduct 12
  • Article   13.3 Cooperation 12
  • Article   13.4 Working Group 12
  • Article   13.5 Designated Monopolies 12
  • Article   13.6 State Enterprises 12
  • Article   13.7 Differences In Pricing 12
  • Article   13.8 Transparency and Information Requests 12
  • Article   13.9 Consultations 12
  • Article   13.10 Dispute Settlement 12
  • Article   13.11 Definitions 12
  • Chapter   Fourteen Telecommunications 12
  • Article   14.1 Scope and Coverage 12
  • Article   14.2 Access to and Use of Public Telecommunications Services  (1) 12
  • Article   14.3 Obligations Relating to Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services  (2) 12
  • Article   14.4 Additional Obligations Relating to Major Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services 12
  • Article   14.5 Submarine Cable Systems 13
  • Article   14.6 Conditions for the Supply of Information Services 13
  • Article   14.7 Independent Regulatory Bodies and Government-owned Telecommunications Suppliers 13
  • Article   14.8 Universal Service 13
  • Article   14.9 Licenses and other Authorizations 13
  • Article   14.10 Allocation and Use of Scarce Resources 13
  • Article   14.11 Enforcement 13
  • Article   14.12 Resolution of Telecommunications Disputes 13
  • Article   14.13 Transparency 13
  • Article   14.14 Flexibility In the Choice of Technologies 13
  • Article   14.15 Forbearance 13
  • Article   14.16 Relationship to other Chapters 13
  • Article   14.17 Definitions 13
  • Chapter   Fifteen Electronic Commerce 13
  • Article   15.1 General 13
  • Article   15.2 Electronic Supply of Services 13
  • Article   15.3 Digital Products 13
  • Article   15.4 Transparency 13
  • Article   15.5 Consumer Protection 13
  • Article   15.6 Authentication 13
  • Article   15.7 Paperless Trade Administration 13
  • Article   15.8 Definitions 13
  • Chapter   Sixteen Intellectual Property Rights 13
  • Article   16.1 General Provisions 13
  • Article   162 Trademarks 14
  • Article   16.3 Geographical Indications 14
  • Article   16.4 Domain Names on the Internet 14
  • Article   16.5 Copyrights 14
  • Article   16.6 Related Rights 14
  • Article   16.7 Obligations Common to Copyright and Related Rights 14
  • Article   16.8 Protection of Encrypted Program-carrying Satellite Signals 14
  • Article   16.9 Patents 14
  • Article   16.10 Measures Related to Certain Regulated Products  (17) 14
  • Article   16.11 Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights 15
  • Article   16.12 Promotion of Innovation and Technological Development 15
  • Article   16.13 Understandings Regarding Certain Public Health Measures 15
  • Article   16.14 Final Provisions 15
  • Chapter   Seventeen Labor 15
  • Article   17.1 Statement of Shared Commitments 15
  • Article   17.2 Fundamental Labor Rights 15
  • Article   17.3 Enforcement of Labor Laws 16
  • Article   17.4 Procedural Guarantees and Public Awareness 16
  • Article   17.5 Institutional Arrangements 16
  • Article   17.6 Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism 16
  • Article   17.7 Cooperative Labor Consultations 16
  • Article   17.8 Definitions 16
  • Annex 17.6  Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism 16
  • Chapter   Eighteen Environment 16
  • Article   18.1 Levels of Protection 16
  • Article   18.2 Environmental Agreements  (1) 16
  • Article   18.3 Enforcement of Environmental Laws 16
  • Article   18.4 Procedural Matters 16
  • Article   18.5 Mechanisms to Enhance Environmental Performance 16
  • Article   18.6 Environmental Affairs Council 17
  • Article   18.7 Opportunities for Public Participation 17
  • Article   18.8 Submissions on Enforcement Matters 17
  • Article   18.9 Factual Records and Related Cooperation 17
  • Article   18.10 Environmental Cooperation 17
  • Article   18.11 Biological Diversity 17
  • Article   18.12 Environmental Consultations and Panel Procedure 17
  • Article   18.13 Relationship to Environmental Agreements 17
  • Article   18.14 Definitions 17
  • Annex 18.2  Covered Agreements 17
  • Chapter   Nineteen Transparency 17
  • Section   A Transparency 17
  • Article   19.1 Contact Points 17
  • Article   19.2 Publication 17
  • Article   19.3 Notification and Provision of Information 17
  • Article   19.4 Administrative Proceedings 17
  • Article   19.5 Review and Appeal 17
  • Article   19.6 Definitions 17
  • Section   B Anti-Corruption 18
  • Article   19.7 Statement of Principle 18
  • Article   19.8 Cooperation In International Fora 18
  • Article   19.9 Anti-corruption Measures 18
  • Article   19.10 Definitions 18
  • Chapter   Twenty Administration of the Agreement and Trade Capacity Building 18
  • Section   A Administration of the Agreement 18
  • Article   20.1 The Free Trade Commission 18
  • Article   20.2 Free Trade Agreement Coordinators 18
  • Article   20.3 Administration of Dispute Settlement Proceedings 18
  • Section   B Trade Capacity Building 18
  • Article   20.4 Committee on Trade Capacity Building 18
  • Annex 20.1  The Free Trade Commission 18
  • Chapter   Twenty-One Dispute Settlement 18
  • Section   A Dispute Settlement 18
  • Article   21.1 Cooperation 18
  • Article   21.2 Scope of Application 18
  • Article   21.3 Choice of Forum 18
  • Article   21.4 Consultations 18
  • Article   21.5 Intervention of the Commission 18
  • Article   21.6 Request for an Arbitral Panel 18
  • Article   21.7 Indicative Roster 18
  • Article   21.8 Qualifications of Panelists 18
  • Article   219 Panel Selection 18
  • Article   21.10 Rules of Procedure 18
  • Article   21.11 Third Party Participation 19
  • Article   21.12 Role of Experts 19
  • Article   21.13 Initial Report 19
  • Article   21.14 Final Report 19
  • Article   21.15 Implementation of Final Report 19
  • Article   21.16 Non-implementation − Suspension of Benefits 19
  • Article   21.17 Compliance Review 19
  • Article   21.18 Five-year Review 19
  • Section   B Domestic Proceedings and Private Commercial Dispute Settlement 19
  • Article   21.19 Referral of Matters from Judicial or Administrative Proceedings 19
  • Article   21.20 Private Rights 19
  • Article   21.21 Alternative Dispute Resolution 19
  • Chapter   Twenty-Two Exceptions 19
  • Article   22.1 General Exceptions 19
  • Article   22.2 Essential Security 19
  • Article   22.3 Taxation 19
  • Article   22.4 Disclosure of Information 19
  • Article   22.5 Definitions 19
  • Annex 22.3  Competent Authorities 19
  • Chapter   Twenty-Three Final Provisions 19
  • Article   23.1 Annexes, Appendices, and Footnotes 19
  • Article   23.2 Amendments 19
  • Article   23.3 Amendment of the Wto Agreement 19
  • Article   23.4 Entry Into Force and Termination 19
  • Article   23.5 Accession 19
  • Article   23.6 Authentic Texts 19
  • Annex I  Non-Conforming Measures for Services and Investment 19
  • Annex I  Explanatory Notes 19
  • Annex I  Schedule of the United States 19
  • Annex I  Schedule of Colombia 20
  • Annex II  Non-Conforming Measures for Services and Investment 22
  • Annex II  Explanatory Notes 22
  • Annex II  Schedule of the United States 22
  • Annex II  Schedule of Colombia 22