E15 initiative on regulatory systems coherence: private standards, implications for trade, development and governance

Abstract

This paper starts with a discussion of the drivers in the emergence and proliferation of private standards. It then seeks to elaborate on how private standards relate to trade, development and governance and explores how the relevant challenges can be addressed. The paper concludes that greater involvement and supervision by national governments, increased dialogue between multilateral stakeholders, including relevant multilateral organizations, would be beneficial to the operation and the 'sustainable growth' of private standards. The paper further recommends that a more proactive approach be taken by the WTO in addressing trade concerns and in harnessing the potential benefits of credible voluntary sustainability schemes while involving also a range of other stakeholders and relevant organizations into a multi-stakeholder dialogue. Among others, it is of vital importance to encourage more open and in-depth dialogue in the WTO, on the basis of which the existing rules of the WTO should be further clarified and possibly expanded to encompass private standards.