Title
Bandwagon or Barriers?
Author
Michelle Egan, Assistant Professor in the School of International Service at American University, Washington, DC
Date
10/02/2008
(Original Publish Date: 12/1/1997)
(Original Publish Date: 12/1/1997)
Abstract
Recent discussions between European and American policy-makers and business have emphasized the role played by standards in hindering market access and restricting competition. Differences in product or process standards are the subject of numerous trade disputes, and are seen as one of the central issues in transatlantic relations. The importance of standards to the transatlantic business and policy community is further evidenced by their prominent role in negotiations in the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) and New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA). Business reaction was initially cautious as issues such as coordinating standards and regulatory policy were areas that had proved difficult to deal with in other international arenas such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Health Organization (WHO), OECD, and International Standards Organization (ISO).
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