North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (1992)
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(b) the time limits set for the receipt of tenders or applications to be invited to tender;

(c) the address to which requests for documents relating to the procurement should be submitted;

(d) a statement that interested suppliers should express their interest in the procurement to the entity; and

(e) the identification of a contact point within the entity from which further information may be obtained.

4. An entity that uses a notice of planned procurement as an invitation to participate shall subsequently invite suppliers that have expressed an interest in the procurement to confirm their interest on the basis of information provided by the entity, which shall include at least the information referred to in paragraph 2.

5. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, an entity listed in Annex 1001.1a-2 or 1001.1a-3 may use as an invitation to participate a notice regarding a qualification system. An entity that uses such a notice shall, subject to the considerations referred to Article 1015(8), provide in a timely manner information that allows all suppliers that have expressed an interest in participating in the procurement to have a meaningful opportunity to assess their interest. The information shall normally include the information required for notices referred to in paragraph 2. Information provided to any interested supplier shall be provided in a non- discriminatory manner to all other interested suppliers.

6. In the case of selective tendering procedures, an entity that maintains a permanent list of qualified suppliers shall publish annually in the appropriate publication referred to in Annex 1010.1 a notice containing the following information:

(a) an enumeration of any such lists maintained, including their headings, in relation to the goods or services or categories of goods or services to be procured through the lists;

(b) the conditions to be fulfilled by suppliers in view of their inscription on the lists and the methods according to which each of those conditions will be verified by the entity concerned; and

(c) the period of validity of the lists and the formalities for their renewal.

7. Where, after publication of an invitation to participate, but before the time set for the opening or receipt of tenders as specified in the notices or the tender documentation, an entity finds that it has become necessary to amend or reissue the notice or tender documentation, the entity shall ensure that the amended or reissued notice or tender documentation is given the same circulation as the original. Any significant information given by an entity to a supplier with respect to a particular procurement shall be given simultaneously to all other interested suppliers and sufficiently in advance so as to provide all suppliers concerned adequate time to consider the information and to respond.

8. An entity shall indicate in the notices referred to in this Article that the procurement is covered by this Chapter.

Article 1011. Selective Tendering Procedures

1. To ensure optimum effective competition between the suppliers of the Parties under selective tendering procedures, an entity shall, for each procurement, invite tenders from the maximum number of domestic suppliers and suppliers of the other Parties, consistent with the efficient operation of the procurement system.

2. Subject to paragraph 3, an entity that maintains a permanent list of qualified suppliers may select suppliers to be invited to tender for a particular procurement from among those listed. In the process of making a selection, the entity shall provide for equitable opportunities for suppliers on the list.

3. Subject to Article 1009(2)(f, an entity shall allow a supplier that requests to participate in a particular procurement to submit a tender and shall consider the tender. The number of additional suppliers permitted to participate shall be limited only by the efficient operation of the procurement system.

4. Where an entity does not invite or admit a supplier to tender, the entity shall, on request of the supplier, promptly provide pertinent information concerning its reasons for not doing so.

Article 1012. Time Limits for Tendering and Delivery

1. An entity shall:

(a) in prescribing a time limit, provide adequate time to allow suppliers of another Party to prepare and submit tenders before the closing of the tendering procedures;

(b) in determining a time limit, consistent with its own reasonable needs, take into account such factors as the complexity of the procurement, the extent of subcontracting anticipated, and the time normally required for transmitting tenders by mail from foreign as well as domestic points; and

(c) take due account of publication delays when setting the final date for receipt of tenders or applications to be invited to tender.

2. Subject to paragraph 3, an entity shall provide that:

(a) in open tendering procedures, the period for the receipt of tenders is no less than 40 days from the date of publication of a notice in accordance with Article 1010;

(b) in selective tendering procedures not involving the use of a permanent list of qualified suppliers, the period for submitting an application to be invited to tender is no less than 25 days from the date of publication of a notice in accordance with Article 1010, and the period for receipt of tenders is no less than 40 days from the date of issuance of the invitation to tender; and

(c) in selective tendering procedures involving the use of a permanent list of qualified suppliers, the period for receipt of tenders is no less than 40 days from the date of the initial issuance of invitations to tender, but where the date of initial issuance of invitations to tender does not coincide with the date of publication of a notice in accordance with Article 1010, there shall not be less than 40 days between those two dates.

3. An entity may reduce the periods referred to in paragraph 2 in accordance with the following:

(a) where a notice referred to Article 1010(3) or (5) has been published for a period of no less than 40 days and no more than 12 months, the 40-day limit for receipt of tenders may be reduced to no less than 24 days;

(b) in the case of the second or subsequent publications dealing with recurring contracts within the meaning of Article 1010(2)(a), the 40-day limit for receipt of tenders may be reduced to no less than 24 days;

(c) where a state of urgency duly substantiated by the entity renders impracticable the periods in question, the periods may be reduced to no less than 10 days from the date of publication of a notice in accordance with Article 1010; or

(d) where an entity listed in Annex 1001.la-2 or 1001.la- 3 is using as an invitation to participate a notice referred to in Article 1010(5), the periods may be fixed by mutual agreement between the entity and all selected suppliers but, in the absence of agreement, the entity may fix periods that shall be sufficiently long to allow for responsive bidding and in any event shall be no less than 10 days.

4. An entity shall, in establishing a delivery date for goods or services and consistent with its own reasonable needs, take into account such factors as the complexity of the procurement, the extent of subcontracting anticipated and the time realistically required for production, destocking and transport of goods from the points of supply.

Article 1013. Tender Documentation

1. Where an entity provides tender documentation to suppliers, the documentation shall contain all information necessary to permit suppliers to submit responsive tenders, including information required to be published in the notice referred to in Article 1010(2), except for the information required under Article 1010(2)(h). The documentation shall also include:

(a) the address of the entity to which tenders should be submitted;

(b) the address to which requests for supplementary information should be submitted;

(c) the language or languages in which tenders and tendering documents may be submitted;

(d) the closing date and time for receipt of tenders and the length of time during which tenders should be open for acceptance;

(e) the persons authorized to be present at the opening of tenders and the date, time and place of the opening;

(f) a statement of any economic or technical requirements and of any financial guarantees, information and documents required from suppliers;

(g) a complete description of the goods or services to be procured and any other requirements, including technical specifications, conformity certification and necessary plans, drawings and instructional materials;

(h) the criteria for awarding the contract, including any factors other than price that are to be considered in the evaluation of tenders and the cost elements to be included in evaluating tender prices, such as transportation, insurance and inspection costs, and in the case of goods or services of another Party, customs duties and other import charges, taxes and the currency of payment;

(i) the terms of payment; and

(j) any other terms or conditions.

2. An entity shall:

(a) forward tender documentation on the request of a supplier that is participating in open tendering procedures or has requested to participate in selective tendering procedures, and reply promptly to any reasonable request for explanations relating thereto; and

(b) reply promptly to any reasonable request for relevant information made by a supplier participating in the tendering procedure, on condition that such information does not give that supplier an advantage over its competitors in the procedure for the award of the contract.

Article 1014. Negotiation Disciplines

1. An entity may conduct negotiations only:

(a) in the context of procurement in which the entity has, in a notice published in accordance with Article 1010, indicated its intent to negotiate; or

(b) where it appears to the entity from the evaluation of the tenders that no one tender is obviously the most advantageous in terms of the specific evaluation criteria set out in the notices or tender documentation.

2. An entity shall use negotiations primarily to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the tenders.

3. An entity shall treat all tenders in confidence. In particular, no entity may provide to any person information intended to assist any supplier to bring its tender up to the level of any other tender.

4. No entity may, in the course of negotiations, discriminate between suppliers. In particular, an entity shall:

(a) carry out any elimination of suppliers in accordance with the criteria set out in the notices and tender documentation;

(b) provide in writing all modifications to the criteria or technical requirements to all suppliers remaining in the negotiations;

(c) permit all remaining suppliers to submit new or amended tenders on the basis of the modified criteria or requirements; and

(d) when negotiations are concluded, permit all remaining suppliers to submit final tenders in accordance with a common deadline.

Article 1015. Submission, Receipt and Opening of Tenders and Awarding of Contracts

1. An entity shall use procedures for the submission, receipt and opening of tenders and the awarding of contracts that are consistent with the following:

(a) tenders shall normally be submitted in writing directly or by mail;

(b) where tenders by telex, telegram, telecopy or other means of electronic transmission are permitted, the tender made thereby must include all the information necessary for the evaluation of the tender, in particular the definitive price proposed by the supplier and a statement that the supplier agrees to all the terms and conditions of the invitation to tender;

(c) a tender made by telex, telegram, telecopy or other means of electronic transmission must be confirmed promptly by letter or by the dispatch of a signed copy of the telex, telegram, telecopy or electronic message;

(d) the content of the telex, telegram, telecopy or electronic message shall prevail where there is a difference or conflict between that content and the content of any documentation received after the time limit for submission of tenders;

(e) tenders presented by telephone shall not be permitted;

(f) requests to participate in selective tendering procedures may be submitted by telex, telegram or telecopy and if permitted, may be submitted by other means of electronic transmission; and

(g) the opportunities that may be given to suppliers to correct unintentional errors of form between the opening of tenders and the awarding of the contract shall not be administered in a manner that would result in discrimination between suppliers.

In this paragraph, "means of electronic transmission" consists of means capable of producing for the recipient at the destination of the transmission a printed copy of the tender.

2. No entity may penalize a supplier whose tender is received in the office designated in the tender documentation after the time specified for receiving tenders if the delay is due solely to mishandling on the part of the entity. An entity may also consider, in exceptional circumstances, tenders received after the time specified for receiving tenders if the entity's procedures so provide.

3. All tenders solicited by an entity under open or selective tendering procedures shall be received and opened under procedures and conditions guaranteeing the regularity of the opening of tenders. The entity shall retain the information on the opening of tenders. The information shall remain at the disposal of the competent authorities of the Party for use, if required, under Article 1017, Article 1019 or Chapter Twenty (Institutional Arrangements and Dispute Settlement Procedures).

4. An entity shall award contracts in accordance with the following:

(a) to be considered for award, a tender must, at the time of opening, conform to the essential requirements of the notices or tender documentation and have been submitted by a supplier that complies with the conditions for participation;

(b) if the entity has received a tender that is abnormally lower in price than other tenders submitted, the entity may inquire of the supplier to ensure that it can comply with the conditions of participation and is or will be capable of fulfilling the terms of the contract;

(c) unless the entity decides in the public interest not to award the contract, the entity shall make the award to the supplier that has been determined to be fully capable of undertaking the contract and whose tender is either the lowest-priced tender or the tender determined to be the most advantageous in terms of the specific evaluation criteria set out in the notices or tender documentation;

(d) awards shall be made in accordance with the criteria and essential requirements specified in the tender documentation; and

(e) option clauses shall not be used in a manner that circumvents this Chapter.

5. No entity of a Party may make it a condition of the awarding of a contract that the supplier has previously been awarded one or more contracts by an entity of that Party or that the supplier has prior work experience in the territory of that Party.

6. An entity shall:

(a) on request, promptly inform suppliers participating in tendering procedures of decisions on contract awards and, if so requested, inform them in writing; and

(b) on request of a supplier whose tender was not selected for award, provide pertinent information to that supplier concerning the reasons for not selecting its tender, the relevant characteristics and advantages of the tender selected and the name of the winning supplier.

7. No later than 72 days after the award of a contract, an entity shall publish a notice in the appropriate publication referred to in Annex 1010.1 that shall contain the following information:

(a) a description of the nature and quantity of goods or services included in the contract;

(b) the name and address of the entity awarding the contract;

(c) the date of the award;

(d) the name and address of each winning supplier;

(e) the value of the contract, or the highest-priced and lowest-priced tenders considered in the process of awarding the contract; and

(f) the tendering procedure used.

8. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 through 7, an entity may withhold certain information on the award of a contract where disclosure of the information:

(a) would impede law enforcement or otherwise be contrary to the public interest;

(b) would prejudice the legitimate commercial interest of a particular person; or

(c) might prejudice fair competition between suppliers.

Article 1016. Limited Tendering Procedures

1. An entity of a Party may, in the circumstances and subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 2, use limited tendering procedures and thus derogate from Articles 1008 through 1015, provided that such limited tendering procedures are not used with a view to avoiding maximum possible competition or in a manner that would constitute a means of discrimination between suppliers of the other Parties or protection of domestic suppliers.

2. An entity may use limited tendering procedures in the following circumstances and subject to the following conditions, as applicable:

(a) in the absence of tenders in response to an open or selective call for tenders, or where the tenders submitted either have resulted from collusion or do not conform to the essential requirements of the tender documentation, or where the tenders submitted come from suppliers that do not comply with the conditions for participation provided for in accordance with this Chapter, on condition that the requirements of the initial procurement are not substantially modified in the contract as awarded;

(b) where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

(c) in so far as is strictly necessary where, for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the entity, the goods or services could not be obtained in time by means of open or selective tendering procedures;

(d) for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for existing supplies, services or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services, including software to the extent that the initial procurement of the software was covered by this Chapter;

(e) where an entity procures a prototype or a first good or service that is developed at its request in the course of and for a particular contract for research, experiment, study or original development. Where such contracts have been fulfilled, subsequent procurement of goods or services shall be subject to Articles 1008 through 1015. Original development of a first good may include limited production in order to incorporate the results of field testing and to demonstrate that the good is suitable for production in quantity to acceptable quality standards, but does not include quantity production to establish commercial viability or to recover research and development costs;

(f) for goods purchased on a commodity market;

(g) for purchases made under exceptionally advantageous conditions that only arise in the very short term, such as unusual disposals by enterprises that are not normally suppliers or disposal of assets of businesses in liquidation or receivership, but not routine purchases from regular suppliers;

(h) for a contract to be awarded to the winner of an architectural design contest, on condition that the contest is

(i) organized in a manner consistent with the principles of this Chapter, including regarding publication of an invitation to suitably qualified suppliers to participate in the contest,

(ii) organized with a view to awarding the design contract to the winner, and

(iii) to be judged by an independent jury; and

(i) where an entity needs to procure consulting services regarding matters of a confidential nature, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to compromise government confidences, cause economic disruption or similarly be contrary to the public interest.

3. An entity shall prepare a report in writing on each contract awarded by it under paragraph 2. Each report shall contain the name of the procuring entity, indicate the value and kind of goods or services procured, the name of the country of origin, and a statement indicating the circumstances and conditions described in paragraph 2 that justified the use of limited tendering. The entity shall retain each report. They shall remain at the disposal of the competent authorities of the Party for use, if required, under Article 1017, Article 1019 or Chapter Twenty (Institutional Arrangements and Dispute Settlement Procedures).

Section C. Bid Challenge

Article 1017. Bid Challenge

1. In order to promote fair, open and impartial procurement procedures, each Party shall adopt and maintain bid challenge procedures for procurement covered by this Chapter in accordance with the following:

(a) each Party shall allow suppliers to submit bid challenges concerning any aspect of the procurement process, which for the purposes of this Article begins after an entity has decided on its procurement requirement and continues through the contract award;

(b) a Party may encourage a supplier to seek a resolution of any complaint with the entity concerned prior to initiating a bid challenge;

(c) each Party shall ensure that its entities accord fair and timely consideration to any complaint regarding procurement covered by this Chapter;

(d) whether or not a supplier has attempted to resolve its complaint with the entity, or following an unsuccessful attempt at such a resolution, no Party may prevent the supplier from initiating a bid challenge or seeking any other relief;

(e) a Party may require a supplier to notify the entity on initiation of a bid challenge;

(f) a Party may limit the period within which a supplier may initiate a bid challenge, but in no case shall the period be less than 10 working days from the time when the basis of the complaint became known or reasonably should have become known to the supplier;

(g) each Party shall establish or designate a reviewing authority with no substantial interest in the outcome of procurements to receive bid challenges and make findings and recommendations concerning them;

(h) on receipt of a bid challenge, the reviewing authority shall expeditiously investigate the challenge;

(i) a Party may require its reviewing authority to limit its considerations to the challenge itself;

(j) in investigating the challenge, the reviewing authority may delay the awarding of the proposed contract pending resolution of the challenge, except in cases of urgency or where the delay would be contrary to the public interest;

(k) the reviewing authority shall issue a recommendation to resolve the challenge, which may include directing the entity to re-evaluate offers, terminate or re-compete the contract in question;

(l) entities normally shall follow the recommendations of the reviewing authority;

(m) each Party should authorize its reviewing authority, following the conclusion of a bid challenge procedure, to make additional recommendations in writing to an entity respecting any facet of the entity's procurement process that is identified as problematic during the investigation of the challenge, including recommendations for changes in the procurement procedures of the entity to bring them into conformity with this Chapter;

(n) the reviewing authority shall provide its findings and recommendations respecting bid challenges in writing and in a timely manner, and shall make them available to the Parties and interested persons;

(o) each Party shall specify in writing and shall make generally available all its bid challenge procedures; and

(p) each Party shall ensure that each of its entities maintains complete documentation regarding each of its procurements, including a written record of all communications substantially affecting each procurement, for at least three years from the date the contract was awarded, to allow verification that the procurement process was carried out in accordance with this Chapter.

2. A Party may require that a bid challenge be initiated only after the notice of procurement has been published or, where a notice is not published, after tender documentation has been made available. Where a Party imposes such a requirement, the 10- working day period described in paragraph 1(f) shall begin no earlier than the date that the notice is published or the tender documentation is made available.

Section D. General Provisions

Article 1018. Exceptions

1. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent a Party from taking any action or not disclosing any information which it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests relating to the procurement of arms, ammunition or war materials, or to procurement indispensable for national security or for national defense purposes.

2. Provided that such measures are not applied in a manner that would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between Parties where the same conditions prevail or a disguised restriction on trade between the Parties, nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent any Party from adopting or maintaining measures:

(a) necessary to protect public morals, order or safety;

(b) necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health;

(c) necessary to protect intellectual property; or

(d) relating to goods or services of handicapped persons, of philanthropic institutions or of prison labor.

Article 1019. Provision of Information

1. Further to Article 1802(1) (Publication), each Party shall promptly publish any law, regulation, precedential judicial decision, administrative ruling of general application and any procedure, including standard contract clauses, regarding government procurement covered by this Chapter in the appropriate publications referred to in Annex 1010.1.

2. Each Party shall:

(a) on request, explain to another Party its government procurement procedures;

(b) ensure that its entities, on request from a supplier, promptly explain their procurement practices and procedures; and

(c) designate by January 1, 1994 one or more contact points to 

(i) facilitate communication between the Parties, and

(ii) answer all reasonable inquiries from other Parties to provide relevant information on matters covered by this Chapter.

3. A Party may seek such additional information on the award of the contract as may be necessary to determine whether the procurement was made fairly and impartially, in particular with respect to unsuccessful tenders. To this end, the Party of the procuring entity shall provide information on the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning tender and the contract price. Where release of this information would prejudice competition in future tenders, the information shall not be released by the requesting Party except after consultation with and agreement of the Party that provided the information.

4. On request, each Party shall provide to another Party information available to that Party and its entities concerning covered procurement of its entities and the individual contracts awarded by its entities.

5. No Party may disclose confidential information the disclosure of which would prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of a particular person or might prejudice fair competition between suppliers, without the formal authorization of the person that provided the information to that Party.

6. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as requiring any Party to disclose confidential information the disclosure of which would impede law enforcement or otherwise be contrary to the public interest.

7. With a view to ensuring effective monitoring of procurement covered by this Chapter, each Party shall collect statistics and provide to the other Parties an annual report in accordance with the following reporting requirements, unless the Parties otherwise agree:

(a) statistics on the estimated value of all contracts awarded, both above and below the applicable threshold values, broken down by entities;

(b) statistics on the number and total value of contracts above the applicable threshold values, broken down by entities, by categories of goods and services established in accordance with classification systems developed under this Chapter and by the country of origin of the goods and services procured;

  • Part   One GENERAL PART 1
  • Chapter   One OBJECTIVES 1
  • Article   101 Establishment of the Free Trade Area 1
  • Article   102 Objectives 1
  • Article   103 Relation to other Agreements 1
  • Article   104 Relation to Environmental and Conservation Agreements 1
  • Article   105 Extent of Obligations 1
  • Annex 104.1  Bilateral and Other Environmental and Conservation Agreements 1
  • Chapter   Two GENERAL DEFINITIONS 1
  • Article   201 Definitions of General Application 1
  • Annex 201.1  Country-Specific Definitions 1
  • Part   Two TRADE IN GOODS 1
  • Chapter   Three NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 1
  • Article   300 Scope and Coverage 1
  • Section   A National Treatment 1
  • Article   301 National Treatment 1
  • Section   B Tariffs 1
  • Article   302 Tariff Elimination 1
  • Article   303 Restriction on Drawback and Duty Deferral Programs 1
  • Article   304 Waiver of Customs Duties 1
  • Article   305 Temporary Admission of Goods 1
  • Article   306 Duty-Free Entry of Certain Commercial Samples and Printed Advertising Materials 2
  • Article   307 Goods Re-Entered after Repair or Alteration 2
  • Article   308 Most-Favored-Nation Rates of Duty on Certain Goods 2
  • Section   C Non-Tariff Measures 2
  • Article   309 Import and Export Restrictions 2
  • Article   310 Customs User Fees 2
  • Article   311 Country of Origin Marking 2
  • Article   312 Wine and Distilled Spirits 2
  • Article   313 Distinctive Products 2
  • Article   314 Export Taxes 2
  • Article   315 Other Export Measures 2
  • Section   D Consultations 2
  • Article   316 Consultations and Committee on Trade In Goods 2
  • Article   317 Third Country Dumping 2
  • Section   E Definitions 2
  • Article   318 Definitions 2
  • Chapter   Four RULES OF ORIGIN 2
  • Article   401 Originating Goods 2
  • Article   402 Regional Value Content 2
  • Article   403 Automotive Goods 3
  • Article   404 Accumulation 3
  • Article   405 De Minimis 3
  • Article   406 Fungible Goods and Materials for Purposes of Determining Whether a Good Is an Originating Good: 3
  • Article   407 Accessories, Spare Parts and Tools 3
  • Article   408 Indirect Materials 3
  • Article   409 Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale 3
  • Article   410 Packing Materials and Containers for Shipment 3
  • Article   411 Trans-shipment 3
  • Article   412 Non-Qualifying Operations 3
  • Article   413 Interpretation and Application 3
  • Article   414 Consultation and Modifications 3
  • Article   415 Definitions 3
  • Chapter   Five CUSTOMS PROCEDURES 4
  • Section   A Certification of Origin 4
  • Article   501 Certificate of Origin 4
  • Article   502 Obligations Regarding Importations 4
  • Article   503 Exceptions 4
  • Article   504 Obligations Regarding Exportations 4
  • Section   B Administration and Enforcement 4
  • Article   505 Records 4
  • Article   506 Origin Verifications 4
  • Article   507 Confidentiality 4
  • Article   508 Penalties 4
  • Section   C Advance Rulings 4
  • Article   509 Advance Rulings 4
  • Section   D Review and Appeal of Origin Determinations and Advance Rulings 5
  • Article   510 Review and Appeal 5
  • Section   E Uniform Regulations 5
  • Article   511 Uniform Regulations 5
  • Section   F Cooperation 5
  • Article   512 Cooperation 5
  • Article   513 Working Group and Customs Subgroup 5
  • Article   514 Definitions 5
  • Chapter   Six ENERGY AND BASIC PETROCHEMICALS 5
  • Article   601 Principles 5
  • Article   602 Scope and Coverage 5
  • Article   603 Import and Export Restrictions 5
  • Article   604 Export Taxes 5
  • Article   605 Other Export Measures 5
  • Article   606 Energy Regulatory Measures 5
  • Article   607 National Security Measures 5
  • Article   608 Miscellaneous Provisions 5
  • Article   609 Definitions 5
  • Annex 602.3  Reservations and Special Provisions 6
  • Chapter   Seven AGRICULTURE AND SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 6
  • Section   A Agriculture 6
  • Article   701 Scope and Coverage 6
  • Article   702 International Obligations 6
  • Article   703 Market Access 6
  • Article   704 Domestic Support 6
  • Article   705 Export Subsidies 6
  • Article   706 Committee on Agricultural Trade 6
  • Article   707 Advisory Committee on Private Commercial Disputes Regarding Agricultural Goods 6
  • Article   708 Definitions 6
  • Section   B Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 6
  • Article   709 Scope and Coverage 6
  • Article   710 Relation to other Chapters 6
  • Article   711 Reliance on Non-Governmental Entities 6
  • Article   712 Basic Rights and Obligations 6
  • Article   713 International Standards and Standardizing Organizations 6
  • Article   714 Equivalence 6
  • Article   715 Risk Assessment and Appropriate Level of Protection 6
  • Article   716 Adaptation to Regional Conditions 7
  • Article   717 Control, Inspection and Approval Procedures 7
  • Article   718 Notification, Publication and Provision of Information 7
  • Article   719 Inquiry Points 7
  • Article   720 Technical Cooperation 7
  • Article   721 Limitations on the Provision of Information 7
  • Article   722 Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 7
  • Article   723 Technical Consultations 7
  • Article   724 Definitions 7
  • Chapter   Eight EMERGENCY ACTION 7
  • Article   801 Bilateral Actions 7
  • Article   802 Global Actions 8
  • Article   803 Administration of Emergency Action Proceedings 8
  • Article   804 Dispute Settlement In Emergency Action Matters 8
  • Article   805 Definitions for Purposes of this Chapter: 8
  • Part   Three TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE 8
  • Chapter   Nine STANDARDS-RELATED MEASURES 8
  • Article   901 Scope and Coverage 8
  • Article   902 Extent of Obligations 8
  • Article   903 Affirmation of Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and other Agreements 8
  • Article   904 Basic Rights and Obligations Right to Take Standards-Related Measures 8
  • Article   905 Use of International Standards 8
  • Article   906 Compatibility and Equivalence 8
  • Article   907 Assessment of Risk 8
  • Article   908 Conformity Assessment 8
  • Article   909 Notification, Publication, and Provision of Information 8
  • Article   910 Inquiry Points 8
  • Article   911 Technical Cooperation 8
  • Article   912 Limitations on the Provision of Information 8
  • Article   913 Committee on Standards-Related Measures 8
  • Article   914 Technical Consultations 9
  • Article   915 Definitions 9
  • Part   Four GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 9
  • Chapter   Ten GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 9
  • Section   A Scope and Coverage and National Treatment 9
  • Article   1001 Scope and Coverage 9
  • Article   1002 Valuation of Contracts 9
  • Article   1003 National Treatment and Non-Discrimination 9
  • Article   1004 Rules of Origin 9
  • Article   1005 Denial of Benefits 9
  • Article   1006 Prohibition of Offsets 9
  • Article   1007 Technical Specifications 9
  • Section   B Tendering Procedures 9
  • Article   1008 Tendering Procedures 9
  • Article   1009 Qualification of Suppliers 9
  • Article   1010 Invitation to Participate 9
  • Article   1011 Selective Tendering Procedures 10
  • Article   1012 Time Limits for Tendering and Delivery 10
  • Article   1013 Tender Documentation 10
  • Article   1014 Negotiation Disciplines 10
  • Article   1015 Submission, Receipt and Opening of Tenders and Awarding of Contracts 10
  • Article   1016 Limited Tendering Procedures 10
  • Section   C Bid Challenge 10
  • Article   1017 Bid Challenge 10
  • Section   D General Provisions 10
  • Article   1018 Exceptions 10
  • Article   1019 Provision of Information 10
  • Article   1020 Technical Cooperation 11
  • Article   1021 Joint Programs for Small Business 11
  • Article   1022 Rectifications or Modifications 11
  • Article   1023 Divestiture of Entities 11
  • Article   1024 Further Negotiations 11
  • Article   1025 Definitions 11
  • Part   Five INVESTMENT, SERVICES AND RELATED MATTERS 11
  • Chapter   Eleven INVESTMENT 11
  • Section   A Investment 11
  • Article   1101 Scope and Coverage 11
  • Article   1102 National Treatment 11
  • Article   1103 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 11
  • Article   1104 Standard of Treatment 11
  • Article   1105 Minimum Standard of Treatment 11
  • Article   1106 Performance Requirements 11
  • Article   1107 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 11
  • Article   1110 Expropriation and Compensation 11
  • Article   1111 Special Formalities and Information Requirements 11
  • Article   1112 Relation to other Chapters 11
  • Article   1113 Denial of Benefits 11
  • Article   1114 Environmental Measures 12
  • Section   B Settlement of Disputes between a Party and an Investor of Another Party 12
  • Article   1115 Purpose 12
  • Article   1116 Claim by an Investor of a Party on Its Own Behalf 12
  • Article   1117 Claim by an Investor of a Party on Behalf of an Enterprise 12
  • Article   1118 Settlement of a Claim Through Consultation and Negotiation 12
  • Article   1119 Notice of Intent to Submit a Claim to Arbitration 12
  • Article   1120 Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 12
  • Article   1121 Conditions Precedent to Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 12
  • Article   1122 Consent to Arbitration 12
  • Article   1123 Number of Arbitrators and Method of Appointment 12
  • Article   1124 Constitution of a Tribunal When a Party Fails to Appoint an Arbitrator or the Disputing Parties Are Unable to Agree on a Presiding Arbitrator 12
  • Article   1125 Agreement to Appointment of Arbitrators 12
  • Article   1126 Consolidation 12
  • Article   1127 Notice a Disputing Party Shall Deliver to the other Parties: 12
  • Article   1128 Participation by a Party 12
  • Article   1129 Documents 12
  • Article   1130 Place of Arbitration 12
  • Article   1131 Governing Law 12
  • Article   1132 Interpretation of Annexes 12
  • Article   1133 Expert Reports 12
  • Article   1134 Interim Measures of Protection 12
  • Article   1135 Final Award 12
  • Article   1136 Finality and Enforcement of an Award 12
  • Article   1137 General 12
  • Article   1138 Exclusions 12
  • Section   C Definitions 13
  • Article   1139 Definitions 13
  • Annex 1120.1  Submission of a Claim to Arbitration 13
  • Annex 1138.2  Exclusions from Dispute Settlement 13
  • Chapter   Twelve CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN SERVICES 13
  • Article   1201 Scope and Coverage 13
  • Article   1202 National Treatment 13
  • Article   1203 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 13
  • Article   1204 Standard of Treatment 13
  • Article   1205 Local Presence 13
  • Article   1206 Reservations 13
  • Article   1207 Quantitative Restrictions 13
  • Article   1208 Liberalization of Non-Discriminatory Measures 13
  • Article   1209 Procedures 13
  • Article   1210 Licensing and Certification 13
  • Article   1211 Denial of Benefits 13
  • Article   1212 Sectoral Annex 13
  • Article   1213 Definitions 13
  • Chapter   Thirteen TELECOMMUNICATIONS 14
  • Article   1301 Scope and Coverage 14
  • Article   1302 Access to and Use of Public Telecommunications Transport Networks and Services 14
  • Article   1303 Conditions for the Provision of Enhanced or Value-Added Services 14
  • Article   1304 Standards-Related Measures 14
  • Article   1305 Monopolies 14
  • Article   1306 Transparency 14
  • Article   1308 Relation to International Organizations and Agreements 14
  • Article   1309 Technical Cooperation and other Consultations 14
  • Article   1310 Definitions 14
  • Chapter   Fourteen FINANCIAL SERVICES 14
  • Article   1401 Scope and Coverage 14
  • Article   1402 Self-Regulatory Organizations 14
  • Article   1403 Establishment of Financial Institutions 14
  • Article   1404 Cross-Border Trade 14
  • Article   1405 National Treatment 14
  • Article   1406 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 15
  • Article   1407 New Financial Services and Data Processing 15
  • Article   1408 Senior Management and Boards of Directors 15
  • Article   1409 Reservations and Specific Commitments 15
  • Article   1410 Exceptions 15
  • Article   1411 Transparency 15
  • Article   1412 Financial Services Committee 15
  • Article   1413 Consultations 15
  • Article   1414 Dispute Settlement 15
  • Article   1415 Investment Disputes In Financial Services 15
  • Article   1416 Definitions 15
  • Annex 1412.1  Authorities Responsible for Financial Services 15
  • Chapter   Fifteen COMPETITION POLICY, MONOPOLIES AND STATE ENTERPRISES 15
  • Article   1501 Competition Law 15
  • Article   1502 Monopolies and State Enterprises 15
  • Article   1503 State Enterprises 15
  • Article   1504 Working Group on Trade and Competition 15
  • Article   1505 Definitions 15
  • Annex 1505  Country-Specific Definitions of State Enterprises 15
  • Chapter   Sixteen TEMPORARY ENTRY FOR BUSINESS PERSONS 15
  • Article   1601 General Principles 15
  • Article   1602 General Obligations 15
  • Article   1603 Grant of Temporary Entry 16
  • Article   1604 Provision of Information 16
  • Article   1605 Working Group 16
  • Article   1606 Dispute Settlement 16
  • Article   1607 Relation to other Chapters 16
  • Article   1608 Definitions 16
  • Annex 1603  Temporary Entry for Business Persons 16
  • Section   A Business Visitors 16
  • Section   B Traders and Investors 16
  • Section   C Intra-Company Transferees 16
  • Section   D Professionals 16
  • Part   Six INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 16
  • Chapter   Seventeen INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 16
  • Article   1701 Nature and Scope of Obligations 16
  • Article   1702 More Extensive Protection 16
  • Article   1703 National Treatment 16
  • Article   1704 Control of Abusive or Anticompetitive Practices or Conditions 16
  • Article   1705 Copyright 16
  • Article   1706 Sound Recordings 16
  • Article   1707 Protection of Encrypted Program-Carrying Satellite Signals 16
  • Article   1708 Trademarks 16
  • Article   1709 Patents 17
  • Article   1710 Layout Designs of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits 17
  • Article   1711 Trade Secrets 17
  • Article   1712 Geographical Indications 17
  • Article   1713 Industrial Designs 17
  • Article   1714 Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights: General Provisions 17
  • Article   1715 Specific Procedural and Remedial Aspects of Civil and Administrative Procedures 17
  • Article   1716 Provisional Measures 17
  • Article   1717 Criminal Procedures and Penalties 17
  • Article   1718 Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights at the Border 17
  • Article   1718 Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights at the Border 18
  • Article   1719 Cooperation and Technical Assistance 18
  • Article   1720 Protection of Existing Subject Matter 18
  • Article   1721 Definitions 18
  • Part   Seven ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS 18
  • Chapter   Eighteen PUBLICATION, NOTIFICATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF LAWS 18
  • Article   1801 Contact Points 18
  • Article   1802 Publication 18
  • Article   1803 Notification and Provision of Information 18
  • Article   1804 Administrative Proceedings 18
  • Article   1805 Review and Appeal 18
  • Article   1806 Definitions 18
  • Chapter   Nineteen REVIEW AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT IN ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY MATTERS 18
  • Article   1901 General Provisions 18
  • Article   1902 Retention of Domestic Antidumping Law and Countervailing Duty Law 18
  • Article   1903 Review of Statutory Amendments 18
  • Article   1904 Review of Final Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Determinations 18
  • Article   1905 Safeguarding the Panel Review System 18
  • Article   1906 Prospective Application 19
  • Article   1907 Consultations 19
  • Article   1908 Special Secretariat Provisions 19
  • Article   1909 Code of Conduct 19
  • Article   1910 Miscellaneous 19
  • Article   1911 Definitions 19
  • Chapter   Twenty INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES 19
  • Section   A Institutions 19
  • Article   2011 The Free Trade Commission 19
  • Article   2002 The Secretariat 19
  • Section   B Dispute Settlement 19
  • Article   2003 Cooperation 19
  • Article   2004 Recourse to Dispute Settlement Procedures 19
  • Article   2005 GATT Dispute Settlement 19
  • Article   2006 Consultations 19
  • Article   2007 Commission - Good Offices, Conciliation and Mediation 19
  • Article   2008 Request for an Arbitral Panel 20
  • Article   2009 Roster 20
  • Article   2010 Qualifications of Panelists 20
  • Article   2011 Panel Selection 20
  • Article   2012 Rules of Procedure 20
  • Article   2013 Third Party Participation 20
  • Article   2014 Role of Experts 20
  • Article   2015 Scientific Review Boards 20
  • Article   2016 Initial Report 20
  • Article   2017 Final Report 20
  • Article   2018 Implementation of Final Report 20
  • Article   2019 Non-Implementation-Suspension of Benefits 20
  • Section   C Domestic Proceedings and Private Commercial Dispute Settlement 20
  • Article   2020 Referrals of Matters from Judicial or Administrative Proceedings 20
  • Article   2021 Private Rights 20
  • Article   2022 Alternative Dispute Resolution 20
  • Annex 2001.2  Committees and Working Groups 20
  • Annex 2002.2  Remuneration and Payment of Expenses 20
  • Annex 2004  Nullification and Impairment 20
  • Part   Eight OTHER PROVISIONS 20
  • Chapter   Twenty-One EXCEPTIONS 20
  • Article   2101 General Exceptions 20
  • Article   2102 National Security 20
  • Article   2103 Taxation 21
  • Article   2104 Balance of Payments 21
  • Article   2105 Disclosure of Information 21
  • Article   2106 Cultural Industries 21
  • Article   2107 Definitions 21
  • Annex 2103.4  Specific Taxation Measures 21
  • Annex 2103.6  Competent Authorities 21
  • Annex 2106  Cultural Industries 21
  • Chapter   Twenty-Two FINAL PROVISIONS 21
  • Article   2201 Annexes 21
  • Article   2202 Amendments 21
  • Article   2203 Entry Into Force 21
  • Article   2204 Accession 21
  • Article   2205 Withdrawal 21
  • Article   2206 Authentic Texts 21
  • Annex I  Reservations for Existing Measures and Liberalization Commitments 21
  • Annex I  Schedule of Canada 21
  • Annex I  Schedule of Mexico 25
  • Annex I  Schedule of the United States 31
  • Annex II  Reservations for Future Measures (Chapters 11, 12, and 14) 32
  • Annex II  Schedule of Canada 33
  • Annex II  Schedule of Mexico 34
  • Annex II  Schedule of United States 34
  • Annex III  Activities Reserved to the State (Chapter 11) 35
  • Annex III  Schedule of Mexico 35
  • Annex IV  Exceptions from Most-Favored-Nation Treatment (Chapter 11) 36
  • Annex IV  Schedule of Canada 36
  • Annex IV  Schedule of Mexico 36
  • Annex IV  Schedule of the United States 36