North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (1992)
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e) the prevalence of relevant diseases or pests, including the existence of pest- free or disease-free areas or areas of low pest or disease prevalence;

f) relevant ecological and other environmental conditions; and

g) relevant treatments, such as quarantines.

2. Further to paragraph 1, each Party shall, in establishing its appropriate level of protection regarding the risk associated with the introduction, establishment or spread of an animal or plant pest or disease, and in assessing the risk, also take into account the following economic factors, where relevant:

a) loss of production or sales that may result from the pest or disease;

b) costs of control or eradication of the pest or disease in its territory; and

c) the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative approaches to limiting risks.

3. Each Party, in establishing its appropriate level of protection:

a) should take into account the objective of minimizing negative trade effects; and

b) shall, with the objective of achieving consistency in such levels, avoid arbitrary or unjustifiable distinctions in such levels in different circumstances, where such distinctions result in arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination against a good of another Party or constitute a disguised restriction on trade between the Parties.

4. Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (3) and Article 712(3)(c), where a Party conducting a risk assessment determines that available relevant scientific evidence or other information is insufficient to complete the assessment, it may adopt a provisional sanitary or phytosanitary measure on the basis of available relevant information, including from international or North American standardizing organizations and from sanitary or phytosanitary measures of other Parties. The Party shall, within a reasonable period after information sufficient to complete the assessment is presented to it, complete its assessment, review and, where appropriate, revise the provisional measure in the light of the assessment.

5. Where a Party is able to achieve its appropriate level of protection through the phased application of a sanitary or phytosanitary measure, it may, on the request of another Party and in accordance with this Section, allow for such a phased application, or grant specified exceptions for limited periods from the measure, taking into account the requesting Party's export interests.

Article 716. Adaptation to Regional Conditions

1. Each Party shall adapt any of its sanitary or phytosanitary measures relating to the introduction, establishment or spread of an animal or plant pest or disease, to the sanitary or phytosanitary characteristics of the area where a good subject to such a measure is produced and the area in its territory to which the good is destined, taking into account any relevant conditions, including those relating to transportation and handling, between those areas. In assessing such characteristics of an area, including whether an area is, and is likely to remain, a pest-free or disease-free area or an area of low pest or disease prevalence, each Party shall take into account, among other factors:

a) the prevalence of relevant pests or diseases in that area;

b) the existence of eradication or control programs in that area; and

c) any relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation.

2. Further to paragraph 1, each Party shall, in determining whether an area is a pest-free or disease-free area or an area of low pest or disease prevalence, base its determination on factors such as geography, ecosystems, epidemiological surveillance and the effectiveness of sanitary or phytosanitary controls in that area.

3. Each importing Party shall recognize that an area in the territory of the exporting Party is, and is likely to remain, a pest-free or disease-free area or an area of low pest or disease prevalence, where the exporting Party provides to the importing Party scientific evidence or other information sufficient to so demonstrate to the satisfaction of the importing Party. For this purpose, each exporting Party shall provide reasonable access in its territory to the importing Party for inspection, testing and other relevant procedures.

4. Each Party may, in accordance with this Section:

a) adopt, maintain or apply a different risk assessment procedure for a pest-free or disease-free area than for an area of low pest or disease prevalence, or

b) make a different final determination for the disposition of a good produced in a pest-free or disease-free area than for a good produced in an area of low pest or disease prevalence, taking into account any relevant conditions, including those relating to transportation and handling.

5. Each Party shall, in adopting, maintaining or applying a sanitary or phytosanitary measure relating to the introduction, establishment or spread of an animal or plant pest or disease, accord a good produced in a pest-free or disease-free area in the territory of another Party no less favorable treatment than it accords a good produced in a pest-free or disease-free area, in another country, that poses the same level of risk. The Party shall use equivalent risk assessment techniques to evaluate relevant conditions and controls in the pest-free or disease- free area and in the area surrounding that area and take into account any relevant conditions, including those relating to transportation and handling.

6. Each importing Party shall pursue an agreement with an exporting Party, on request, on specific requirements the fulfillment of which allows a good produced in an area of low pest or disease prevalence in the territory of an exporting Party to be imported into the territory of the importing Party and achieves the importing Party's appropriate level of protection.

Article 717. Control, Inspection and Approval Procedures

1. Each Party, with respect to any control or inspection procedure that it conducts:

a) shall initiate and complete the procedure as expeditiously as possible and in no less favorable manner for a good of another Party than for a like good of the Party or of any other country;

b) shall publish the normal processing period for the procedure or communicate the anticipated processing period to the applicant on request;

c) shall ensure that the competent body

(i) on receipt of an application, promptly examines the completeness of the documentation and informs the applicant in a precise and complete manner of any deficiency,

(ii) transmits to the applicant as soon as possible the results of the procedure in a form that is precise and complete so that the applicant may take any necessary corrective action,

(iii) where the application is deficient, proceeds as far as practicable with the procedure if the applicant so requests, and

(iv) informs the applicant, on request, of the status of the application and the reasons for any delay;

d) shall limit the information the applicant is required to supply to that necessary for conducting the procedure;

e) shall accord confidential or proprietary information arising from, or supplied in connection with, the procedure conducted for a good of another Party

(i) treatment no less favorable than for a good of the Party, and

(ii) in any event, treatment that protects the applicant's legitimate commercial interests, to the extent provided under the Party's law;

f) shall limit any requirement regarding individual specimens or samples of a good to that which is reasonable and necessary;

g) should not impose a fee for conducting the procedure that is higher for a good of another Party than is equitable in relation to any such fee it imposes for its like goods or for like goods of any other country, taking into account communication, transportation and other related costs;

h) should use criteria for selecting the location of facilities at which the procedure is conducted that do not cause unnecessary inconvenience to an applicant or its agent;

i) shall provide a mechanism to review complaints concerning the operation of the procedure and to take corrective action when a complaint is justified;

j) should use criteria for selecting samples of goods that do not cause unnecessary inconvenience to an applicant or its agent; and

k) shall limit the procedure, for a good modified subsequent to a determination that the good fulfills the requirements of the applicable sanitary or phytosanitary measure, to that necessary to determine that the good continues to fulfill the requirements of that measure.

2. Each Party shall apply, with such modifications as may be necessary, paragraphs 1(a) through (i) to its approval procedures.

3. Where an importing Party's sanitary or phytosanitary measure requires the conduct of a control or inspection procedure at the level of production, an exporting Party shall, on the request of the importing Party, take such reasonable measures as may be available to it to facilitate access in its territory and to provide assistance necessary to facilitate the conduct of the importing Party's control or inspection procedure.

4. A Party maintaining an approval procedure may require its approval for the use of an additive, or its establishment of a tolerance for a contaminant, in a food, beverage or feedstuff, under that procedure prior to granting access to its domestic market for a food, beverage or feedstuff containing that additive or contaminant. Where such Party so requires, it shall consider using a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation as the basis for granting access until it completes the procedure.

Article 718. Notification, Publication and Provision of Information

1. Further to Articles 1802 (Publication) and 1803 (Notification and Provision of Information), each Party proposing to adopt or modify a sanitary or phytosanitary measure of general application at the federal level shall:

(a) at least 60 days prior to the adoption or modification of the measure, other than a law, publish a notice and notify in writing the other Parties of the proposed measure and provide to the other Parties and publish the full text of the proposed measure, in such a manner as to enable interested persons to become acquainted with the proposed measure;

(b) identify in the notice and notification the good to which the measure would apply, and provide a brief description of the objective and reasons for the measure;

(c) provide a copy of the proposed measure to any Party or interested person that so requests and, wherever possible, identify any provision that deviates in substance from relevant international standards, guidelines or recommendations; and

(d) without discrimination, allow other Parties and interested persons to make comments in writing and shall, on request, discuss the comments and take the comments and the results of the discussions into account.

2. Each Party shall seek, through appropriate measures, to ensure, with respect to a sanitary or phytosanitary measure of a state or provincial government:

(a) that, at an early appropriate stage, a notice and notification of the type referred to in paragraphs 1(a) and (b) are made prior to their adoption; and

(b) observance of paragraphs 1(c) and (d).

3. Where a Party considers it necessary to address an urgent problem relating to sanitary or phytosanitary protection, it may omit any step set out in paragraph 1 or 2, provided that, on adoption of a sanitary or phytosanitary measure, it shall:

(a) immediately provide to the other Parties a notification of the type referred to in paragraph 1(b), including a brief description of the urgent problem;

(b) provide a copy of the measure to any Party or interested person that so requests; and

(c) without discrimination, allow other Parties and interested persons to make comments in writing and shall, on request, discuss the comments and take the comments and the results of the discussions into account.

4. Each Party shall, except where necessary to address an urgent problem referred to in paragraph 3, allow a reasonable period between the publication of a sanitary or phytosanitary measure of general application and the date that it becomes effective to allow time for interested persons to adapt to the measure.

5. Each Party shall designate a government authority responsible for the implementation at the federal level of the notification provisions of this Article, and shall notify the other Parties thereof. Where a Party designates two or more government authorities for this purpose, it shall provide to the other Parties complete and unambiguous information on the scope of responsibility of each such authority.

6. Where an importing Party denies entry into its territory of a good of another Party because it does not comply with a sanitary or phytosanitary measure, the importing Party shall provide a written explanation to the exporting Party, on request, that identifies the applicable measure and the reasons that the good is not in compliance.

Article 719. Inquiry Points

1. Each Party shall ensure that there is one inquiry point that is able to answer all reasonable inquiries from other Parties and interested persons, and to provide relevant documents, regarding:

(a) any sanitary or phytosanitary measure of general application, including any control or inspection procedure or approval procedure, proposed, adopted or maintained in its territory at the federal, state or provincial government level;

(b) the Party's risk assessment procedures and factors it considers in conducting the assessment and in establishing its appropriate levels of protection;

(c) the membership and participation of the Party, or its relevant federal, state or provincial government authorities in international and regional sanitary and phytosanitary organizations and systems, and in bilateral and multilateral arrangements within the scope of this Section, and the provisions of those systems and arrangements; and

(d) the location of notices published pursuant to this Section or where such information can be obtained.

2. Each Party shall ensure that where copies of documents are requested by another Party or by interested persons in accordance with this Section, they are supplied at the same price, apart from the actual cost of delivery, as the price for domestic purchase.

Article 720. Technical Cooperation

1. Each Party shall, on the request of another Party, facilitate the provision of technical advice, information and assistance, on mutually agreed terms and conditions, to enhance that Party's sanitary and phytosanitary measures and related activities, including research, processing technologies, infrastructure and the establishment of national regulatory bodies. Such assistance may include credits, donations and grants for the acquisition of technical expertise, training and equipment that will facilitate the Party's adjustment to and compliance with a Party's sanitary or phytosanitary measure.

2. Each Party shall, on the request of another Party:

(a) provide to that Party information on its technical cooperation programs regarding sanitary or phytosanitary measures relating to specific areas of interest; and

(b) consult with the other Party during the development of, or prior to the adoption or change in the application of, any sanitary or phytosanitary measure.

Article 721. Limitations on the Provision of Information

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a Party to:

(a) communicate, publish texts or provide particulars or copies of documents other than in an official language of the Party; or

(b) furnish any information the disclosure of which would impede law enforcement or otherwise be contrary to the public interest or would prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of particular enterprises.

Article 722. Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

1. The Parties hereby establish a Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, comprising representatives of each Party who have responsibility for sanitary and phytosanitary matters.

2. The Committee should facilitate:

(a) the enhancement of food safety and improvement of sanitary and phytosanitary conditions in the territories of the Parties;

(b) activities of the Parties pursuant to Articles 713 and 714;

(c) technical cooperation between the Parties, including cooperation in the development, application and enforcement of sanitary or phytosanitary measures; and

(d) consultations on specific matters relating to sanitary or phytosanitary measures.

3. The Committee:

(a) shall, to the extent possible, in carrying out its functions, seek the assistance of relevant international and North American standardizing organizations to obtain available scientific and technical advice and minimize duplication of effort;

(b) may draw on such experts and expert bodies as it considers appropriate;

(c) shall report annually to the Commission on the implementation of this Section;

(d) shall meet on the request of any Party and, unless the Parties otherwise agree, at least once each year; and

(e) may, as it considers appropriate, establish and determine the scope and mandate of working groups.

Article 723. Technical Consultations

1. A Party may request consultations with another Party on any matter covered by this Section.

2. Each Party should use the good offices of relevant international and North American standardizing organizations, including those referred to in Article 713(5), for advice and assistance on sanitary and phytosanitary matters within their respective mandates.

3. Where a Party requests consultations regarding the application of this Section to a Party's sanitary or phytosanitary measure, and so notifies the Committee, the Committee may facilitate the consultations, if it does not consider the matter itself, by referring the matter for non-binding technical advice or recommendations to a working group, including an ad hoc working group, or to another forum.

4. The Committee should consider any matter referred to it under paragraph 3 as expeditiously as possible, particularly regarding perishable goods, and promptly forward to the Parties any technical advice or recommendations that it develops or receives concerning the matter. The Parties involved shall provide a written response to the Committee concerning the technical advice or recommendations within such time as the Committee may request.

5. Where the involved Parties have had recourse to consultations facilitated by the Committee under paragraph 3, the consultations shall, on the agreement of the Parties involved, constitute consultations under Article 2006 (Consultations).

6. The Parties confirm that a Party asserting that a sanitary or phytosanitary measure of another Party is inconsistent with this Section shall have the burden of establishing the inconsistency.

Article 724. Definitions

For purposes of this Section:

animal includes fish and wild fauna;

appropriate level of protection means the level of protection of human, animal or plant life or health in the territory of a Party that the Party considers appropriate;

approval procedure means any registration, notification or other mandatory administrative procedure for:

(a) approving the use of an additive for a stated purpose or under stated conditions; or

(b) establishing a tolerance for a stated purpose or under stated conditions for a contaminant,

in a food, beverage or feedstuff prior to permitting the use of the additive or the marketing of a food, beverage or feedstuff containing the additive or contaminant;

area means a country, part of a country or all or parts of several countries;

area of low pest or disease prevalence means an area in which a specific pest or disease occurs at low levels;

contaminant includes pesticide and veterinary drug residues and extraneous matter;

control or inspection procedure means any procedure used, directly or indirectly, to determine that a sanitary or phytosanitary measure is fulfilled, including sampling, testing, inspection, evaluation, verification, monitoring, auditing, assurance of conformity, accreditation, registration, certification or other procedure involving the physical examination of a good, of the packaging of a good, or of the equipment or facilities directly related to production, marketing or use of a good, but does not mean an approval procedure;

international standard, guideline or recommendation means a standard, guideline or recommendation:

(a) regarding food safety, adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, including one regarding decomposition elaborated by the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products, food additives, contaminants, hygienic practice, and methods of analysis and sampling;

(b) regarding animal health and zoonoses, developed under the auspices of the International Office of Epizootics;

(c) regarding plant health, developed under the auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention in cooperation with the North American Plant Protection Organization, or

(d) established by or developed under any other international organization agreed on by the Parties;

pest includes a weed;

pest-free or disease-free area means an area in which a specific pest or disease does not occur;

plant includes wild flora; risk assessment means an evaluation of:

(a) the potential for the introduction, establishment or spread of a pest or disease and associated biological and economic consequences; or

(b) the potential for adverse effects on human or animal life or health arising from the presence of an additive, contaminant, toxin or disease-causing organism in a food, beverage or feedstuff;

sanitary or phytosanitary measure means a measure that a Party adopts, maintains or applies to:

(a) protect animal or plant life or health in its territory from risks arising from the introduction, establishment or spread of a pest or disease,

(b) protect human or animal life or health in its territory from risks arising from the presence of an additive, contaminant, toxin or disease-causing organism in a food, beverage or feedstuff,

(c) protect human life or health in its territory from risks arising from a disease-causing organism or pest carried by an animal or plant, or a product thereof, or

(d) prevent or limit other damage in its territory arising from the introduction, establishment or spread of a pest,

including end product criteria; a product-related processing or production method; a testing, inspection, certification or approval procedure; a relevant statistical method; a sampling procedure; a method of risk assessment; a packaging and labelling requirement directly related to food safety; and a quarantine treatment, such as a relevant requirement associated with the transportation of animals or plants or with material necessary for their survival during transportation; and

scientific basis means a reason based on data or information derived using scientific methods.

Chapter Eight. EMERGENCY ACTION

Article 801. Bilateral Actions

1. Subject to paragraphs 2 through 4 and Annex 801.1, and during the transition period only, if a good originating in the territory of a Party, as a result of the reduction or elimination of a duty provided for in this Agreement, is being imported into the territory of another Party in such increased quantities, in absolute terms, and under such conditions that the imports of the good from that Party alone constitute a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to a domestic industry producing a like or directly competitive good, the Party into whose territory the good is being imported may, to the minimum extent necessary to remedy or prevent the injury:

(a) suspend the further reduction of any rate of duty provided for under this Agreement on the good;

(b) increase the rate of duty on the good to a level not to exceed the lesser of

(i) the most-favored-nation (MFN) applied rate of duty in effect at the time the action is taken, and

(ii) the MEN applied rate of duty in effect on the day immediately preceding the date of entry into force of this Agreement; or

(c) in the case of a duty applied to a good on a seasonal basis, increase the rate of duty to a level not to exceed the MFN applied rate of duty that was in effect on the good for the corresponding season immediately preceding the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

2. The following conditions and limitations shall apply to a proceeding that may result in emergency action under paragraph 1:

(a) a Party shall, without delay, deliver to any Party that may be affected written notice of, and a request for consultations regarding, the institution of a proceeding that could result in emergency action against a good originating in the territory of a Party;

(b) any such action shall be initiated no later than one year after the date of institution of the proceeding;

(c) no action may be maintained

(i) for a period exceeding three years, except where the good against which the action is taken is provided for in the items in staging category C+ of the Schedule to Annex 302.2 of the Party taking the action and that Party determines that the affected industry has undertaken adjustment and requires an extension of the period of relief, in which case the period of relief may be extended for one year provided that the duty applied during the initial period of relief is substantially reduced at the beginning of the extension period, or

(ii) beyond the expiration of the transition period, except with the consent of the Party against whose good the action is taken;

(d) no action may be taken by a Party against any particular good originating in the territory of another Party more than once during the transition period; and

(e) on the termination of the action, the rate of duty shall be the rate that, according to the Party's Schedule to Annex 302.2 for the staged elimination of the tariff, would have been in effect one year after the initiation of the action, and beginning January 1 of the year following the termination of the action, at the option of the Party that has taken the action

(i) the rate of duty shall conform to the applicable rate set out in its Schedule to Annex 302.2, or

(ii) the tariff shall be eliminated in equal annual stages ending on the date set out in its Schedule to Annex 302.2 for the elimination of the tariff.

3. A Party may take a bilateral emergency action after the expiration of the transition period to deal with cases of serious injury, or threat thereof, to a domestic industry arising from the operation of this Agreement only with the consent of the Party against whose good the action would be taken.

4. The Party taking an action under this Article shall provide to the Party against whose good the action is taken mutually agreed trade liberalizing compensation in the form of concessions having substantially equivalent trade effects or equivalent to the value of the additional duties expected to result from the action. If the Parties concerned are unable to agree on compensation, the Party against whose good the action is taken may take tariff action having trade effects substantially equivalent to the action taken under this Article. The Party taking the tariff action shall apply the action only for the minimum period necessary to achieve the substantially equivalent effects.

5. This Article does not apply to emergency actions respecting goods covered by Annex 300-B (Textile and Apparel Goods).

5. This Article does not apply to emergency actions respecting goods covered by Annex 300-B (Textile and Apparel Goods).

Article 802. Global Actions

  • 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