APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC)
2nd Meeting, SOM 2
Tennis Bay Center,
Kazan, Russian Federation
24-25 May, 2012
Summary Conclusions
The second SCSC meeting was held on 24-25 May 2012 at the Tennis Bay Center, Kazan, Russian
Federation.
The meeting was attended by representatives from: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile;
People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; New
Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei;
Thailand; United States; Viet Nam; APEC Secretariat; Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation
Cooperation (APLAC); Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) and Pacific Area Standards Congress
(PASC).
1. Opening
The SCSC Chair welcomed the delegates of the meeting and introduced Vice Chairs and participants.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
SCSC members reviewed the Draft Agenda (2012/SOM2/SCSC/001) and proposed the following
changes:
SCSC Chair requested to move item 4 (3) to item 5 SRBs report;
China proposed not to discuss on this meeting the report on the progress of CTI 17/2011T, Technical
Regulation Harmonization on Bulk Fuel Trade Transaction in APEC Region because there is no
progress since the last meeting.
China proposed not to discuss on this meeting Concept note The Proficiency Testing of
Determination of Veterinary Drug Multi-Residues in Animal Origin Products.
Australia proposed to move the project CTI 32 11T, Developing a Harmonized Electrical Equipment
Regulatory Risk Assessment Tool and workshop held on 15-16 May 2012 in Singapore to agenda
item 4.6.
Australia and China proposed to move the report on the concept note APEC Food Safety
Cooperation Forum (FSCF) Workshop and APEC FSCF Food Safety Incident Network (FSIN)
Seminar to the agenda item 4.5.
SCSC Chair confirmed that the Agenda was approved with the above changes.
3. Business Arrangements
The SCSC Chair informed participants of the meeting on program and other administrative
arrangements, noting that interventions should be submitted in writing, if possible, prior to the closing
of the meeting.
The SCSC Chair invited Russian Federation to brief on the arrangements for the SCSC social event
and dinner.
The APEC Secretariat provided a comprehensive report on APEC Secretariat activities detailed in
2012/SOM2/SCSC/002 and briefed project update and CNs submission deadline for session 3.
4. SCSC Work Program for 2012 and Related Issues
(1) Trade Facilitation
Vietnam briefly presented the Final draft CAP 2012. In particular, SCSC members are invited to make
comments and provide inputs for completing the Final draft CAP 2012 by sending to Viet Nam before
15 June 2012. Viet Nam should submit the completed CAP 2012 to APEC Secretariat by the end of
June 2012.
Japan reported on the last WTO/TBT committee, explained Specific Trade Concerns at the last TBT
committee and introduced future perspective of TBT committee for the Sixth triennial review which will
be adopted in the end of 2012.
Indonesia informed SCSC Meeting that since the last SCSC meeting in Moscow, last February 2012,
Indonesia has notified 5 technical regulations regulated by The National Food and Drugs authority
(BPOM). In addition to these, Indonesia also has notified 19 addenda to the previously notified
technical regulations. For more detailed information, please access to the website: http://tbt.bsn.go.id
or contact e-mail tbt.indonesia@gmail.com.
China and Mexico reported on the developments within the WTO SPS Committee since the last
SCSC meeting.
(2) Alignment with International Standards
Japan reported on the revision of VAP result in 2011 and shared the work program for 2013. Japan
stressed the uploading the past presentation materials of VAP in the APEC collaboration system.
(3) Cooperation on Technical Infrastructure Development
SCSC Chair moved this item to item 5.
(4) Good Regulatory Practice
Russian Federation introduced the two CTI proposals 2012/SOM2/SCSC/006, “Action Plan on Best
Regulatory Practices in APEC economies” and 2012/SOM2/SCSC/007, “Good Regulatory Practices
Online Database,” and asked for SCSC members consideration.
The United States expressed concern for both the substance of the proposal and the proposed short
time for review. While we appreciated the circulation of this CTI document, there was not an adequate
time for consultation. We request more time for the consideration of these concepts. In our preliminary
view, we are concerned about keeping the terms used in the SCSC consistent in this document, for
example, please use Good Regulatory Practice instead of Best Regulatory Practice. We also prefer
the term alignment to harmonization when referring to standardization.
The United States is not in favor of an approach that creates a 'ladder of standards'. The SCSC and
the WTO TBT Committee support the use of international standards. Both international
standardization organizations and National Standards Bodies regularly provide training and capacity
building on standards. The SCSC has also taken up training on emerging areas of standardization,
such as ISO 22000 and ISO 50001. While we appreciate the concept of “Steps to higher standards”
as an attempt to provide developing economies levels of options to meet standards is confusing and
we are unsure how it relates to implementation of international standards. Finally, the United States
cannot agree to the topics of acoustic noise regulation and genetically modified biological materials.
Canada believes that inclusion of ”acoustic noise” and “genetically modified biological materials”
should be removed from the document and suggested that reference to “coherence” should be
changed to alignment”.
Canada commented that documents review should allow for sufficient time to consult with internal
stakeholders before being submitted to SCSC for endorsement. Canada requested clarification of
what is meant by “steps to higher standards”.
Chile suggested the following:
Chile noted that the definition of the proposal is too general and for this reason don’t have clarity
about the scope of this document. The proposal mentions harmonization as a step to avoid barriers to
trade. Chile expressed that the idea is don’t duplicate work in this matters. Additionally Chile consider
the WTO TBT Agreement that encourage members to use the international standards as a basis and
also the Agreement recognize the exception where such international standards or relevant parts
would be ineffective or inappropriate for different reasons (geological or weather conditions for
example).
Chile believes that the proposal it’s not clear in terms of the use of harmonization of Technical
Standards and Technical Regulation. The Harmonization work will be discussed on the bases of each
interesting sectors economies, because the interest in particular sector of one economy, not
necessarily represent the interest of the rest of the economies. The important thing is to recognize the
different sectors and establish a work program and step to reach the common sectors.
Finally Chile expressed that the need to review SCSC terms of reference, because we have a
specific points there related to for example good regulatory practices and we think it’s important first
strengthen this aspects and then start the work in specific issues as harmonization.
Japan reiterated the concern to some points raised by the United States and Canada and asked the
Chair to confirm the timeline to develop the two initiatives.
Brunei Darussalam raised concern on the terminology used in the paper presented by Russia on GRP,
which are not consistent with the terminology used in SCSC and WTO. Brunei Darussalam also
highlighted previous APEC Work Program on GRP, in particular the APEC guidelines on GRP and
case studies led by Australia in 2000 and work undertaken on GRP, lead by USA in 2011, and that
previous work should be referenced to avoid duplication of efforts.
New Zealand and Australia echoed comments made by other economies.
In consideration of Member`s preliminary comments, the Russian Federation agreed to revise the two
proposals and the APEC Secretariat will circulate the revised proposals for Member comments until
the 3 of June.
(5) Food and Product Safety
Australia, on behalf of the co-chairs China and Australia, gave an update of the current, ongoing and
proposed activities of the Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF) as detailed in
2012/SOM2/SCSC/009. Subject to funding, the fourth FSCF Workshop and the Food Safety Incident
Network (FSIN) seminar will be held in the margins of SOM2 in 2013. The concept note is at
2012/SOM2/SCSC/008.
China thanked members for active participation and contribution to APEC FSCF and FSCF PITN
which have achieved tremendous progress over years in areas of information sharing and capacity
building. Taking this opportunity, China expects members to continue to support future food safety
activities, especially the coming 4th FSCF meeting (subject to funding) in Indonesia in 2013.
United States expressed concerns with regard to SCSC proposed projects are unlikely to get funded
during BMC 2 session. It is important for CTI to support, capacity building projects, such as the food
safety related projects, that have a proven global impact to interconnected supply chains. If there is a
food safety related incident, food trade stops, and this line of programming is intended to prevent such
events. Over the past 5 years, we note the SCSC has conducted 19 food safety related projects with
an estimated worth of $3,842,517, of which a little over $500,000 was provided by the TILF. United
States hopes that this important initiative within the SCSC continues to receive support.
The Chair agreed to note the concerns raised by United States in the SCSC Convenor`s report.
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United States reported on outcomes of FSCF Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) workshop
on Export Certification Workshop held April 24-25 in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States. The SCSC
endorsed the outcomes found in 2012/SOM2/SCSC/036.
United States reported on upcoming APEC FSCF PTIN Laboratory Capacity Building Sub-Regional
Trainings for 2012 to be held in Peru, Malaysia, and Vietnam found in 2012/SOM2/SCSC/011.
United States directed the APEC Members attention to 2012/SOM2/SCSC/012 and reported on status
of Global Food Safety Partnership (World Bank administered multi donor trust fund), and encouraged
member donation to the fund.
(6) Pathfinder Initiatives
EEMRA Pathfinder Initiative
Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the JRAC Chair briefed the meeting on the outcomes of the 17th
JRAC meeting held on 17-18 May 2012 in Singapore, including progressing the work program on
“Developing a harmonized electrical equipment regulatory risk assessment” tools
(2012/SOM2/SCSC/013rev1). The meeting noted that in line with the terms of reference for JRAC,
Chile would be Chair of JRAC 2013 with Hong Kong, China as the incoming secretary and Indonesia
as the host economy for APEC 2013.
Australia reported on the outcomes of APEC JRAC workshop on “Developing harmonized electrical
equipment regulatory Risk assessment tool” held on 15-16 May 2012 in Singapore
(2012/SOM2/SCSC/014).
China thanked Brunei Darussalam and Australia for their report of JRAC meeting and the workshop.
China sent two participants to the workshop but regretfully unable to attend this JRAC meeting due to
budget planning. Nonetheless, China is glad to see that the EEMRA is moving forward, and to note
the presence of IECEE. China would like to see continued cooperation between IECEE and
APEC SCSC in the mutual recognition of conformity assessment of EE products in future.
(7) Standards and Conformance Education
Members are invited to update on recent progress in standards education activities in their
economies:
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Indonesia reported on the results of the ICES conference on Innovative Education about
Standardization and WSC Academic Day held on 10-11 May 2012 in Bali, Indonesia.
Korea will prepare a new project concept note for next APEC education activities including
lecturers training and exchange program, etc in early 2013. The new project will be an
additional work in conjunction with the completed project on standard education. A starting
time of the new project is expected to be May, 2013. Before submitting to CTI, a draft
concept note will be circulated throughout the economies to receive constructive
comments. Also, Korea will hold a next conference/workshop in line with SCSC2, 2013 in
Indonesia. Workshop venue and date will be announced to the economies in SCSC1,
2013 meeting after discussing with Indonesia delegates.
United States reported on two standards education initiatives to be conducted in 2012
sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as detailed in document
SCSC/015.
(8) Interaction with Business
SCSC members to report on business engagement in SCSC activities in 2012.
Australia reported on the activities of the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) as detailed in document
2012/SOM2/SCSC/017.
Australia further reported on the recent activities of the Wine Regulatory Forum (WRF) including the
preparations for the New Zealand project of the APEC WRF - Public-Private Dialogue: Risk
management and certification requirements for regional trade in wine.
5. SRBs report
APLAC reported on the ongoing training initiatives to enhance provision of Proficiency Testing within
the APEC region and the interaction with regulators observing the evaluation process
(2012/SOM2/SCSC/018).
PAC extended an invitation to all SCSC members to attend its forthcoming annual meetings in Hong
Kong, China to be held in June. PAC also noted that its MLA for Food Safety Management Systems
(FSMS) would be launched during the meetings with up to six economies expected to apply.
Japan, on behalf of the PASC secretariat, shared information on the upcoming PASC general meeting
which will be held on 4th to 8th June in Yeosu, Korea.
6. SCSC Projects
SCSC members reported on progress of new and on-going projects not reported elsewhere on the
agenda:
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Japan implemented a workshop on 21st May at the margin of the APEC 2012/SCSC2 and
reported recommendations to promote Supply Chain Visibility found in 2012/SOM2/SCSC/021
and 2012/SOM2/SCSC/032.
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United States reported on project S CTI 04 12T (SCSC) - Aligning Energy Efficiency
Regulations for ICT Products - Developing a Strategic Approach and plans for the 18 July
2012 workshop to be held in Seoul, Korea, and noted the draft agenda was included in
2012/SOM2/SCSC/034. Members were encouraged to submit their nominations for
participants and speakers to the project overseers before the 6th of June deadline.
Indonesia and China thanked United States for invitation and informed them on their intention
to nominate participants.
Chinese Taipei thanked US for conducting this project. As ICT industry is one of the important
industries in Chinese Taipei and as a co-sponsor of this project. Chinese Taipei is going to
attend the workshop to make contribution.
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Peru reported on the progress of CTI 21/2011T, Laboratory Capacity Building for the
Determination of Toxic Contaminants in Seafood and the workshop to be held on 18-20 June
in Thailand. This project aims to develop laboratory capabilities within the food inspection
laboratories in APEC economies in measurement, testing and inspection for contaminants in
seafood. It has been delivered by experts from APMP, who worked jointly with SIM, to ensure
appropriate traceability, quality and scientific credibility of outcomes for all participating APEC
economies.
This project aims to create a sound framework for laboratory capacity building involving the
principal regional expert bodies to ensure sustainable outcomes as well as to provide a model
for future laboratory capacity building activities within APEC.
This workshop is the final phase of this project and it will focus on the evaluation of the
Results of the Proficiency Test on toxic contaminants on seafood and plan future activities.
The invitation has been circulated to economies. Preference will be given to economies that
have already participated in the first workshop and the Proficiency Test. Peru thanked Hong
Kong, China, Thailand and the other co-sponsors.
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Philippines reported on CTI 22 2011T APEC Scientific Seminar Workshop on Food Safety
Risk-Benefit Analysis held on 22-24 November 2011.
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Russian Federation reported on the progress of CTI 24/2011A, School Feeding Systems in
APEC Economies and workshop to be held on 28-29 June 2012, Moscow. As a result of
consultations the workshop program was finalized. Plenary session of the first working day
will consist of two parts.
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The first part will be devoted to general issues of global food security and the role of school
feeding systems in providing vulnerable population with quality food in sufficient quantities. In
a view of recent trends in world economic development and continuing through the Doha
Round of WTO negotiations, the agenda includes an issue on the prospects of school feeding
programs as a tool to promote economic development, increased trade, agricultural
production, processing industry in accordance with the WTO requirements. The relevant
presentations will been made by the representatives of International Organizations and
Research Institutes. In the second part of the plenary session will be held a short presentation
of the research on “School feeding systems in APEC economies” prepared in the framework
of the project proposal, as well as country presentations on the national school feeding
program of APEC economies. During the second day of the workshop, participants will be
divided into two working groups.
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United States reported on the results of the Workshop on Regulatory Approaches to Smart
Grid Investment/Deployment (project CTI 30 11T), which was held on 16-17 May 2012 in
Quebec, Canada on the margins of the World Forum for Energy Regulators (WFER) which
was a follow up to the 2011 ARCAM Initiative on Smart Grid Interoperability. The United
States thanked Canada and the other co-sponsors for their support of the event. Members
endorsed the report and its outcomes of the workshop found in 2012/SOM2/SCSC/033.
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Malaysia reported on the workshop APEC – Product Safety Incidents Information Sharing
System (CTI 36 11A) held on 23 - 26 April 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the
preparation of the next workshop in July-August 2012.
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Russian Federation reported on the results of 9th Conference on Standards and
Conformance in the Field of Innovations and Related Good Practices (project CTI 37 11T). 80
participants took part in the conference. The main objectives of the conference included:
1. Exchange information on the standards and conformance activities;
2. Raise the knowledge on the value of standards and conformity assessment through a focus on
innovative products such as nanotechnology products and chemical materials and substances;
3. Enhance the development and harmonization of innovation standards and related good
practices, leading to achieving the Osaka Action Agenda (OAA) to “align domestic standards with
international standards” and “promote good regulatory practice for preparation, adoption and
application of technical regulations in the APEC region”;
4. Pave a way for APEC partnership to build up regulatory, legal, and operating frameworks for
high quality analysis and assessment of innovative products;
5. Assess opportunities to increase linkages with the business community, non-government and
government sector on developing harmonized approaches to standards and knowledge
management practices, as well as facilitate information exchange.
A special questionnaire was prepared and circulated among economies in advance of the
meeting. Unfortunately only three economies have replied (Indonesia, Philippines and Australia).
Russian Federation thanked these economies. The Russian Federation introduced the draft
recommendations from the conference contained in the document 2012/SOM2/SCSC/038.
Members will have the opportunity to make comments on the draft recommendations until 30th
June to the APEC Secretariat. The Russian Federation will submit the final report by the 30th of
August, 2012.
Japan proposed to exclude the sentence initiating the establishment of nano-producers`
association in the draft recommendation.
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PAC reported on the current status of MLA readiness project in GHG verification/validation
(CTI38/11T) as outlined in the document 2012/SOM2/SCSC/025. PAC noted that due to the
success of the project to date, it was planned to launch the MLA six months early in June
during the annual meeting.
Chinese Taipei thanked economies which participated in the second training workshop on
GHG for accreditation bodies for their effort to contribute to this event.
There were 25 participants and 4 trainers, most from accreditation bodies participating in the
training workshop on GHG for accreditation bodies. The participants were from 14 APEC
Economies, including China, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong
Kong, China, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and Peru, and
Chinese Taipei.
We believe this event was helpful to exchange information on practice experience among
economies and to facilitate understanding on GHG related standards. We also believe the
training workshop was useful for APEC members in establishing GHG accreditation scheme
and facilitating PAC GHG MLA.
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United States reported on the progress of the IPEG`s CTI 33 11T (IPEG) – APEC / IPEG
Workshop on Policies and Practices relating to IPR and Standards contained in
2012/SOM2/SCSC/033, and invited members to consider of sending participants or
nominating speakers to the event which will be held in October 2012 in a location to be
determined.
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New Zealand reported on the APEC Wine Regulatory Forum – Public-Private Dialogue on risk
management and certification requirements for regional trade in wine (CTI 06/12T) to be held
5-7 November 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand.
SCSC members presented new concept notes that were submitted for BMC 2 approval in
2012
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Indonesia reported on the concept note Best Practices in Educating Food Safety Standards to
SMEs;
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Regarding to the Concept Note on standards infrastructure establishment, Korea appreciated
Vietnam, Malaysia and United States who supported the project as co-sponsor economies.
Korea is going to resubmit the CN to session3 in August after revising. Korea requested the
members’ comments and more co-sponsorship when we circulate the revised Concept Note
to the members in the middle of June 2012;
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Korea reported on the concept note Improved Food Inspection Capacity Building based on
Risk analysis: Risk-based Food Inspection.
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Russian Federation reported on the concept note Framework for APEC Open Technical
Dictionary (OTD) in standards regulated spheres. The proposed project will provide member
economies with a common methodology and framework for mapping data contained in
technical regulations and standards for products and services for key commodity classes.
Future projects
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Philippines reported on concept note Workshop on the Conduct of Food Safety Impact
Analysis (RIA) for APEC Member Economies. The Philippines intended to submit Concept
note prior to BMC3 funding session.
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United States presented on a proposed Multiyear Project, “The Role of Standards and
Conformity Assessment Measures in Enhancing the Performance of the Commercial Building
Sector” contained in 2012/SOM2/SCSC/031, and noted the project had an adequate number
of co-sponsors to be submitted during the BMC 3 funding session. In response to the United
States request, Members endorsed the green buildings project, and agreed to send it forward
for CTI endorsement.
China, in view of the shrinking funding available for future individual projects, suggested
Members to consider the possibility to incorporate individual projects sharing similar goals (for
example food safety related projects) into one Multi-Year Project in order to make future
SCSC projects tabled at CTI and BMC more competitive.
United States supported the comment from China about the possibility of discussion of a
multiyear project on food safety and said intersessional discussion would be necessary.
Korea subsequently supported China and United States comment on multiyear project on
Food Safety with cooperation among the economies to avoid similar or duplicate topics.
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APEC Secretariat will provide clarifications on competitiveness between multiyear and
standard project, the priorities of the projects and project proposal process.
7. Adoption of the SCSC 2 Summary Conclusion
8. Next Meeting
Indonesia, as a hosting economy informed about the arrangements for the SCSC 1 meetings in 2013.
9. Other Business
10. Meeting Documents
SCSC members considered the public release of documents.
11. Adjournment