At the latest TBT Committee meeting, Malawi has offered a very interesting communication (G/TBT/W/360) related to the EU's proposed Tobacco Products Directive.  In short, they think it violates various TBT Agreement provisions.  They raise several aspects of the measure in particular: * the ingredients bans: There

James Flett of the European Commission has an interesting article in the latest JIEL issue, entitled "WTO Space for National Regulation: Requiem for a Diagonal Vector Test."  His focus is on de facto violations of the national treatment obligation. When I first saw the article, I thought about

This is from Canadian International Trade Minister Ed Fast, reacting to criticisms of the Canada - China investment treaty by opposition leader Tom Mulcair: “If he had actually read this treaty – which was tabled in the House of Commons almost six months ago – he would know that it will give

In a recent on-line article, http://www.stewartlaw.com/stewartandstewart/TradeFlows/tabid/127/language/en-US/Default.aspx?udt_583_param_detail=1151, Stewart, Drake and Menaker suggest that the reasoning of the AB on the chapeau in Brazil-Tyres could make it difficult to justify the EU seal products ban, given

From the latest TBT Committee meeting: Several delegations ... raised new concerns regarding Chile's proposed amendments to its Food Health Regulations — which would place “STOP” signs on junk food. Pursuant to the amendment, certain categories of food would need to bear labels designated to inform and encourage consumers to

I am now starting to tweet regularly on international economic law (and related issues).  You can follow @howserob If you are also tweeting, please let me know so I can follow also. best, Rob

This is from GATT/WTO expert and trade lawyer Chris Parlin: Selling complete set of original GATT BISD's -- 2 initial volumes & all 42 annual supplements (1948-1994).  All GATT decisions – including dispute settlement reports, waivers and interpretations.  WTO reprint edition costs 1850 Swiss Francs.  Will sell for

I'm not sure whether any of the parties' submissions will be available in the Renewable Energy/Feed-In Tariff (DS412,426) appeal prior to the completion of the proceedings, but for those who are interested, here are two amicus submissions: -- from Professor Luca Rubini: http://www.worldtradelaw.

The compliance deadlines in the three TBT cases (Clove Cigarettes, Tuna, and COOL) are coming up soon.  COOL is up first:  May 23. USDA has just issued a proposed rule designed to bring the U.S. COOL measure into compliance.  As they explain: The proposed rule would modify the labeling