ingenieur 2021 vol85 Jan-Mar 2021 | Page 65

( ii ) Minimum Information Requirements , listing the required information for a Certificate of Origin or a Declaration of Origin .
Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation ( CPTF )
The CPTF Chapter aims to ensure predictability , consistency , and transparency in the application of customs laws and regulations , and promote efficient administration of customs procedures and expeditious clearance of goods .
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures ( SPS )
The SPS in Chapter 5 sets out the basic framework for developing , adopting and applying SPS measures for the purpose of protecting human , animal or plant life or health as well as for facilitating trade by minimising the negative effects of SPS measures on trade .
Standards , Technical Regulations , and Conformity Assessment Procedures ( STRACAP )
STRACAP in Chapter 6 seeks not only to enhance the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade ( TBT Agreement ) but also to recognise and accept mutual understanding of each Party ’ s standards , technical regulations , and conformity assessment procedures , and strengthen information exchange and co-operation in this field . These objectives will be achieved through provisions that :
( i ) recognise the important role that international standards , guides and recommendations can play in reducing unnecessary technical barriers to trade ;
( ii ) ensure that standards , technical regulations , and conformity assessment procedures are consistent with the relevant provisions of the TBT Agreement ;
( iii ) recognise the importance of mutual acceptance of result of conformity assessment procedures ; ( iv ) strengthen transparency process ; and ( v ) acknowledge possible bilateral or plurilateral co-operation of mutual interest .
Trade Remedies
The Trade Remedies in Chapter 7 consists of two
Sections : ( i ) RCEP Safeguard Measures ; and ( ii ) Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties . The Safeguard Measures Section provides the Parties with a transitional mechanism to address serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry caused by Parties ’ commitments under RCEP , subject to welldefined conditions and requirements , including carrying out a proper investigation as well as early and full notifications to Parties concerned with opportunities for consultations .
Trade in Services
Chapter 8 on Trade in Services aims to open up avenues for greater services trade among the Parties through substantial removal of restrictive and discriminatory measures affecting trade in services . It contains modern and comprehensive provisions including rules on market access , national treatment , most-favoured-nation treatment and local presence , which are subject to Parties ’ Schedules of Specific Commitments or Schedules of Reservations and Non-Conforming Measures , as well as additional commitments . Parties are to schedule their services commitments using the negative list approach , either on the date of entry into force of RCEP , or within a defined time period after the date of entry into force . The negative list approach to services commitments provides greater certainty for service suppliers of other Parties through providing information on the existing measures and regulations of each Party . The chapter also includes provisions on the reasonability , objectivity , and impartiality of domestic regulations affecting trade in services , which go beyond equivalent rules in the existing ASEAN Plus One FTAs .
Annex on Professional Services
The Annex on Professional Services provides an avenue for the Parties to facilitate engagement on the supply of professional services in the region . This includes the prospect of increased dialogue between two or more interested Parties related
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