Non-Economic Objectives in WTO Law: Justification Provisions of GATT, GATS, SPS and TBT Agreements

Description

This work examines the complex relationship between economic and non-economic objectives in WTO law. It discusses how non-economic objectives can serve as justification for trade-restrictive measures normally prohibited under WTO law. Contents Preface Acknowledgments Table of Abbreviations Table of Cases Introduction I. Purpose of this Study II. Objective and Scope III. Methodology IV. Structure Part One Fundamental Issues Chapter One Free Trade and Its Limits I. Introduction II. The Case for Free Trade A. Free Trade Theory B. Protectionism C. Free Trade in a Wider Context D. Conclusion III. Objections to Free Trade A. Economic Arguments B. Non-Economic Arguments IV. Conclusion Chapter Two The Potential and Limitations of Interpretation in WTO Law I. Introduction II. Interrelationship between WTO Law and Public International Law III. Methods of Interpretation in WTO Law A. Article 3.2 DSU B. Articles 31 and 32 VCLT and their Application in WTO Law C. General Rule: Article 31 VCLT D. Article 31(3)(c) VCLT: Promoting the Coherence of International Law E. Article 32 VCLT: Supplementary Means of Interpretation F. Additional Principles of Treaty Interpretation IV. Conclusion Chapter Three The Role and Function of Non-Economic Exception Clauses in Trade Agreements I. Introduction II. Basic Principles and Objectives of Trade Agreements III. Reasons for Non-Economic Exception Clauses A. Stability and Flexibility B. State Sovereignty and Allocation of Power C. Intrinsic Importance of Non-Economic Objectives D. Tensions Inherent in the System IV. Scope and Nature of Exception Clauses A. Striking the Right Balance B. Network of Corresponding "Rights" and "Obligations" V. Conclusion Chapter Four Two Models of Non-Economic Justification Clauses in WTO Law: GATT/GATS versus SPS/TBT I. Introduction II. Non-Economic Exception Clauses in GATT and GATS: The "Traditional Approach" A. Classifying Exception Clauses: Economic versus Non-Economic Objectives B. Drafting History C. The Rule-Exception Relationship D. Justification as a Two-Tier Test III. Non-Economic Justification Provisions in the SPS and TBT Agreements: The "New Approach" A. Background B. Regulatory Philosophy and Structure of the SPS and TBT Agreements: Justification Inherent in the Rules IV. Conclusion Part Two Non-Economic Justification in Gatt and Gats Chapter Five The Non-Economic Grounds of Justification in Art XX GATT and Art XIV GATS I. Introductory Remarks A. Non-Economic Nature B. Autonomous Legal Concepts II. Explicit Grounds of Justification A. Public Morals B. Public Order C. Human, Animal or Plant Life or Health D. Conservation of Exhaustible Natural Resources E. Securing Compliance with Laws or Regulations F. Other Grounds of Justification III. Implicit Grounds of Justification A. Environment B. Human Rights C. Labour Standards D. Culture Chapter Six Substantive and Procedural Conditions for the Invocation of Art XX GATT and Art XIV GATS I. Introductory Remarks II. Level of Protection A. Introduction B. Dispute Settlement Practice III. Necessity Test A. Judicial Development of the Concept of "Necessity" B. Evaluation of the Necessity Test in a Comparative Context C. Lessons for the Necessity Test in WTO Law IV. "Relating to" Test A. Judicial Development B. Evaluation of the "Relating to" Test V. Introductory Clause ("Chapeau") A. Drafting History B. Purpose and Function of the Chapeau C. The Individual Requirements of the Chapeau D. Similar Concerns in the Second Sentence of Art 30 EC E. Evaluation VI. The Lawfulness of Trade Measures with Extraterritorial Focus A. Introduction B. "Unilateralism" and "Extraterritoriality" C. Trade Restrictions with Extraterritorial Focus: Exercise of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction? D. Evaluation under Art XX GATT and Art XIV GATS E. Conclusion Part Three Non-Economic Justification in the SPS and TBT Agreements Chapter Seven Non-Economic Justification Provisions in the SPS Agreement I. SPS Agreement A. Drafting History and Background B. Scope and Purpose C. Regulatory Philosophy II. Relationship with GATT and other WTO Agreements III. Grounds of Justification IV. Substantive and Procedural Requirements A. Basic Rights and Obligations B. Appropriate Level of Protection C. Scientific Justification D. Design and Application of SPS Measures V. Standard of Review and Risk Regulation VI. Conclusion Chapter Eight Non-Economic Justification Provisions in the TBT Agreement I. TBT Agreement A. Drafting History and Background B. Scope and Purpose C. Regulatory Philosophy II. Relationship with GATT and other WTO Agreements III. Grounds of Justification A. Legitimate Objectives B. Trade Measures with Extraterritorial Focus IV. Substantive and Procedural Requirements A. Non-Discrimination B. Level of Protection C. Necessity D. Obligation to Use International Standards V. Conclusion Overall Conclusion Bibliography Appendix: Relevant Treaty Provisions Index