An Analysis Of Technical Barriers To Trade Within The European Union (2013)

After setting up the necessary framework for the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) subject, this thesis study tries to enlighten the removal efforts of the Technical Barriers to Trade within the European Union (EU) and within Turkey. In this respect, this study covers the removal approaches of TBTs in the EU together with Turkey’s alignment with the EU in the subject, as required by the Customs Union Agreement. This thesis study also tries to evaluate the importance of different approaches on the removal of Technical Barriers to Trade on Turkish trade with the EU.

This evaluation is prepared by allocating external trade values for product groups into the regulatory approaches of the EU and then analyzing the coverage of these approaches in the total external trade of the EU (15) countries. Accordingly, it is found that most of the Turkish trade with the EU (15) countries may be subject to technical regulations. Moreover, it is observed that the share of the Turkish trade regarding different EU approaches on TBTs evolves over time. In this framework, it is found that the importance of the harmonizing the EU legislation on the removal of TBTs on Turkish exports to the EU (15) has been increasing over the timeline.

Additionally, it is observed that the number of product groups that Turkey reveals comparative advantage in harmonized area is increasing over time and thus Turkey is becoming more competitive in the EU (15) market. This dissertation aims to shed a light on the removal efforts on the TBTs subject in the perspective of the European Union (EU) and Turkey. In this manner, we first set up the necessary framework on the standards and related concepts, namely technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and market surveillance. Following that, we try to explain TBTs phenomenon and the elimination methods of them. Then, we address the TBTs subject in the EU emphasizing on the approaches on removal of them. In the EU perspective we evaluate the position that Turkey possesses in the subject regarding the Customs Union requirements.

After that, in order to detail an EU approach on the subject, we address the new chemicals policy of the EU, REACH, and Turkey’s alignment with it. Finally, referencing the EU members, we recover the importance of different approaches on the removal of TBTs for the Turkey’s external trade with the EU and we evaluate the competitiveness of Turkey in those approaches.

• 30,000 words – 140 pages in length
• Outstanding use of literature
• Good analysis of subject area
• Well written throughout
• Ideal for economics students

1: Introduction

2: Standards, Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance
Standards
Functions of Standards
Standards Formation
Conformity Assessment Mechanisms
Testing and Inspection
Certification
Accreditation
Metrology
Market Surveillance

3: Technical Barriers to Trade, and the EU and Turkish Approaches to TBTs
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs)
Sources of Technical Barriers to Trade
Elimination of Technical Barriers to Trade
The EU Approach to Technical Barriers to Trade
Old Approach
New Approach
Mutual Recognition Principle
Market Surveillance
International Cooperation
Turkish Approach to TBTs
Legal Alignment
Standardization
Conformity Assessment
Market Surveillance

4: REACH
Registration
Registration Procedure
Registration Requirements
Data Sharing Mechanisms
Other Requirements and Limitations under REACH
Safety Data Sheet
Notification Requirements
Authorization and Restriction
Evaluation
Technical Requirements
Conformity Assessment
Surveillance
Harmonization of the EU Chemicals Policy in Turkey

5: TBTs between the EU and Turkey
Data and Methodology
Results
Incidence of Technical Regulations in EU(15) Imports
The Revealed Comparative Advantage Analysis

6: Conclusion

References

Appendix Section