CEFTA

CEFTA Parties have established the Committee of Trade Facilitation and a Subcommittee on Non-Tariff Measures, which are geared towards facilitating trade through the elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs).

• Committee of Trade Facilitation
  
  •  Its primary goal is to reduce costs and delays associated with Customs procedures and other trade barriers; and
  • To achieve this, the Committee works to balance the need for efficient trade facilitation with the growing demands for safety and security in global supply chains. 
• Subcommittee on Non-Tariff Measures
  
  • The Subcommittee on Non-Tariff Measures is responsible for identifying and addressing NTMs within CEFTA. This includes sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade, and other regulatory obstacles;
  • The Subcommittee is supported by three working groups: 
    • Working Group on Technical Measures: it focuses on specific technical issues, such as standards and regulations, to identify and eliminate discriminatory measures that hinder trade; 
    • Working Group on Risk Management: This Working Group aims at enhancing cooperation in areas like sanitary and phytosanitary regulation, technical barriers to trade, and Customs administration. It seeks to improve the efficiency of controls, while maintaining high standards of safety and security; and
    • Working Group on Information Exchange: This Working Group promotes the use of information technology to facilitate trade. It works to improve the interoperability of Customs systems and other relevant IT tools, thereby reducing administrative burdens and speeding up border clearance processes.