Harmonizing Health and Safety Standards in the GATT: Proposals and Issues

Each of the tabled GATT proposals includes as a major negotiating item the harmonization of phytosanitary regulations, which function as nontariff barriers to trade. These health and safety standards have proliferated since World War II and are problematic because many are technically complex and contain genuine elements of consumer protection. This paper discusses economic aspects of health and safety standards under autarkic and trade conditions, including health and safety benefits. It then reviews elements of current GATT proposals from Canada, the Caims group, the EC, and the USA relevant to phytisanitary regulations, concluding that, despite abroad agreement on some general principles, few substantive specifics have emerged, and some significant stumbling blocks remain. Tensions between national autonomy and international conformity in establishing regulations and equivalent versus identical standards mean that careful negotiation will be needed to establish enforceable liberalization. Recommendations for negotiation principles conclude the paper.