1. Progress on Implementation of Transparency Requirements of TBT Agreement in Uganda
EAC Public-Private Sector Workshop on WTO Transparency Requirements and Procedures on TBT and SPS
Kenya, Nairobi, March 2016
George Opiyo
TBT National Enquiry Point
Uganda National Bureau of Standards

2. Contents Update on the establishment of Electronic Notification System
Widening engagement with TBT regulatory agencies
Private sector involvement in implementation of the TBT agreement
Status of implementation of the National Action Plan to improve the effectiveness of the TBT Enquiry Point and Notification Authority in Uganda
Priority areas of interventions in draft Action Plan Enquiry Point & Notification Authority
Challenges in implementation of WTO TBT Transparency Requirements

3. Update on the establishment of Electronic Notification System: National level
Uganda has adopted use of UN DESA Electronic Ping (ePing) SPS & TBT notifications alert system
Started training, registering stakeholders & piloting ePing in July 2015
Regional based trainings being conducted
Establishing ePing User Groups (manufacturers, horticulture & Fish sectors)
Manufacturers User Group established in Feb 2016

4. Update on the establishment of Electronic Notification System: International level
TBT Committee mandated WTO Secretariat to develop an export alert system for TBT notifications, in cooperation with other organizations (2015 7th Triennial Review recommendation)
WTO Secretariat is collaborating with UN DESA & ITC to use ePing as the basis for the global alert system
WTO Secretariat is expected to introduce global alert system to TBT Committee in Nov meeting
Participated in training of participants of the fellow- up to 2015 Advanced Course on TBT agreement in March 2016

5. Widen engagement with TBT regulatory agencies
Developed a programme to carry out targeted interventions and awareness creation to enhance implementation and compliance to the transparency requirements of TBT and SPS Agreements
Target:
MDAs responsible for the implementation and administration of the SPS and TBT Agreements
CEOs and top management level
Programme expected to be implemented in April 2016

6. Private sector involvement in implementation of the TBT agreement
Engage within the framework of the National TBT/SPS Committee
Participate in trainings, workshops & seminars on the SPS and TBT Agreements
Participate in regulatory, standards & conformity assessment development processes
Participate in policy formulation in the areas related to implementation of the SPS & TBT Agreements

7. Status of implementation of the draft National Action Plan to improve the effectiveness of the TBT Enquiry Point and Notification Authority in Uganda
Task 1 - Improving the WTO TBT Enquiry Point and Notification Authority:
Staff: 2 (EP), 1 notification officer
Capacity Building: pending
Operating Procedures: pending
Reference Materials: receive reference materials from ITC, UNCTAD, WTO, etc.
Alert Service: adopted use of ePing SPS & TBT notifications alert system (training & awareness ongoing)

8. Task 2 - Communication with Stakeholders:
Status of implementation of the draft National Action Plan to improve the effectiveness of the TBT Enquiry Point and Notification Authority in Uganda
Task 2 - Communication with Stakeholders:
TBT Coordination Committee: National TBT/SPS Committee operational since 2004 (meets normally 3 times annually. Hold extraordinary meetings)
Capacity Building: pending

9. Status of implementation of the draft National Action Plan to improve the effectiveness of the TBT Enquiry Point and Notification Authority in Uganda
Task 3 – Promotion:
Website: no dedicated websites for Enquiry Point & Notification Authority. Promoted using websites of host institutions (UNBS & MTIC resp.)
Brochure: outdated, pending
Promotional Event: pending
Building Awareness: pending
Partners: pending

10. Priority areas of interventions in draft Action Plan Enquiry Point & Notification Authority
Development of operating procedures for the TBT Enquiry Point and Notification Authority
TBT Enquiry Point: based on ISO 9001
Participation in regional and international meetings, conferences, seminars, and trainings
Update & production of a brochure highlighting the services of the TBT Enquiry Point in Uganda
Awareness building

11. Challenges in implementation of WTO TBT Transparency Requirements
Lack of interest & commitment by regulatory agencies to implement transparency provisions of the TBT Agreement
Lack of commitment by private sector stakeholders to review & provide comments on relevant TBT notifications & draft TBT measures of other WTO Members
Funding gaps