Discussion on technical barriers to trade in the h

Discussion on technical barriers to packaging and labeling trade and Countermeasures (Part 2)

compared with tariff barriers and other non-tariff barriers, TBT has the following main characteristics:

A. rationality and necessity. The establishment of technical regulations, standards and inspection procedures is mainly to protect national security, which will leave some traces of water on the surface of the lens and the interests of consumers, so it is reasonable and necessary

b. complexity. TBT imports 66.79 million US dollars because of its extensive technology and scope of application, which makes its proportion, licenses and other forms of non-tariff barriers more complex. WTO allows countries to formulate technical standards different from other countries according to their own characteristics, such as geography and consumption habits

c. concealment. It is often difficult to distinguish whether a technical standard or inspection procedure is reasonable. TBT is hidden because of its rationality and complexity, and is not easy to be retaliated by other countries. This is the main reason why countries are willing to use technical barriers

d. flexibility. The constantly developing technology and diversified forms of technical barriers provide conditions for the flexible use of technical barriers, and technical barriers are easier to implement than other tariff barriers

3Technical barriers to trade in packaging and labeling in developed countries

3.1 relevant regulations on packaging and labeling in the United States

Meitian is the most perfect and strict country in the world. Since May, 1994, all packaged foods in the United States, including all imported foods, must use new labels. FDA requires that most foods must be marked with the content of at least 14 nutrients. Only the American manufacturers who are in the leading position in this field will spend an additional $1.05 billion a year for this. Therefore, we can imagine the cost pressure of exporters in other backward countries. Especially for countries without conditions for food composition analysis, it is undoubtedly a ban on import measures

3.2 European Community Regulations on packaging and labeling

the European community has been setting up import barriers for foreign products through product packaging and labeling legislation. For example, for inflammable, explosive, corrosive goods and drugs, the law stipulates that their packaging and labels should meet a series of special marking requirements. In 1979, the European Community issued (Directive on food labeling instructions and advertising regulations) (79/112/eec) to formulate general provisions for food labeling, and in 1990, it issued the directive on food nutrition labeling (90/496/eec). These instructions have strict regulations on the instructions of commodity labels, advertising leaflets, user manuals, warranty sheets and the contents printed on the outer packaging of products

ce mark is a series of safety conformity directives formulated by the European Community in 1985. If products from any country in the world want to enter the EU market, which label must be attached. At the same time, the European community also requires ecological labels on imported textiles

3.3 relevant regulations on packaging and labeling in other developed countries

the selection of packaging specifications for goods entering the Japanese market is also strict, which can be called a shackle to prevent foreign goods from entering the current Brazil China Sea freight market of $5.549/ton in Japan. These goods are divided into two specifications: one is mandatory specifications. This mainly means that commodities must meet their specific standards in terms of quality, shape, size and inspection methods, otherwise they cannot be manufactured and sold in Japan (such as medicine, cosmetics, food additives, electrical appliances and computing instruments); Second, arbitrary specifications. This kind of commodity is mainly a product naturally formed in the minds of consumers in the Japanese market every year. This specification is divided into national specification, group specification and any quality mark. Among them, JIS specification (industrial products), JAC specification (agricultural products), G mark, SG mark and St Mark are all familiar to Japanese consumers and are arbitrary, but if they cannot meet the requirements of these standards, it is basically impossible to enter the Japanese market. Its (Food Hygiene Law) requires that vinyl chloride resin containers and packaging must undergo a specific experimental process to determine cadmium and lead. Pollution control should be carried out for polychlorinated diphenols, organic amalgams, etc

these regulations or directives are only a small part of many TBT provisions. In different countries and regions, they are constantly revising and formulating new regulations, rules and regulations to protect their own market, industry and consumer interests and restrict imported products

4 to deal with the technical barriers to packaging trade, please contact the Secretariat if you are a member of the association From the above analysis, it can be seen that WTO and TBT are the driving forces to promote the development of China's packaging industry, enterprises and product production enterprises, but also a more hidden, more flexible and more difficult obstacle to grasp and overcome. To go abroad and join the competition in the international market, China's products must make breakthroughs in the following aspects

4.1 adjust the industrial structure and establish a modern enterprise system

due to the relatively late start of China's packaging industry and enterprises, there is a large gap between China and the world. At the same time, due to the lack of time and experience in large-scale industry and modern production, there is still a certain distance to connect with the world. Many industries and enterprises have insufficient understanding of the significance and importance of WTO and TBT for the survival and development of China's industries and enterprises, so they lack the necessary knowledge, knowledge, technology, management and experience to actively respond to the technical barriers of various countries, thus falling into a passive situation of being beaten. The economic losses caused by various enterprises in China who are not familiar with WTO and TBT every year are amazing. Therefore, we must adapt to the pace of international market development as soon as possible, actively adjust the industrial structure and enterprise operation mode, increase the role of market regulation, change passive attack to active attack, and actively prepare for coping with and setting up TBT

4.2 give play to the role of industry management

industry management refers to the internal and external organization and coordination of production and business activities from the perspective of the whole industry. Industry management is an important level in the macro management of national economy. Packaging industry association is the carrier of packaging industry management, which plays a great role. It has the functions of union, link, information, promoting exchange and cultivating talents. In the real historical stage, the packaging industry association should shoulder the following responsibilities:

E. understand and study the regulations, rules and policies of TBT related to packaging and labeling in developed countries, and put forward plans and suggestions for the management and development direction of the packaging industry and product manufacturing enterprises in China

b. publicize the government's policies and decrees on the packaging industry to packaging enterprises, institutions and packaging workers, and improve the consciousness of enterprises to consciously implement standardized management and production

has promoted the technological progress of the packaging industry, investigated and studied the latest development trends of packaging technology and market sales at home and abroad; Collect, sort out and exchange packaging business and technical information

d. promote the improvement of commodity packaging with international trends, improve the quality of packaged products, and assist in formulating packaging standards

e. carry out international packaging organization activities, hold domestic and foreign packaging exhibitions, invite domestic and foreign experts to give lectures, and exchange WTO and TBT knowledge and skills. (to be continued)