Standards for Sustainable Trade – Overview of the Issues and Outline of the Project
This paper sets out some background information and parameters for the regionally-based research project.

The Quality Institutions – An Enabling Framework for International Trade
"The Quality Institutions" is a short paper addressing rule-making, conformity assessment and accreditation in standards and technical regulations. The paper is based on a longer research paper called "Implementing Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Standards, and Technical Regulations: The Developing Country Experience" produced for the Trade Knowledge Network.

The Emerging International Framework for Accreditation
There is a significant amount of international effort being put into the development of an international framework for the mutual recognition of conformity assessments. Recognizing the importance of this to the research undertaken under this project, IISD commissioned this paper by David Stanger, which outlines the latest international developments in private conformity assessment services.

The Final Project Report
This document provides a generic overview of the results of the Standards for Sustainable Trade project, drawing on examples from the three regional processes in South Asia, South America and Southern & Eastern Africa. The document includes some general recommendations on technical assistance in the area of TBT/SPS, as well as some conclusions on the value of regional South-South cooperation.

Regional Summary Report – South America (595 kb)
This document is the culmination of research undertaken in three South American countries (Chile, Brazil and Uruguay), looking at the capacity gaps for TBT/SPS implementation, the organizations involved and the linkages with the sustainable development agenda. The paper draws some conclusions and sets an agenda for technical assistance in the region, focusing on those areas where sustainable development and market access overlap.

Regional Summary Report – Southern and Eastern Africa (265 kb)
This document is the culmination of research undertaken in five Southern & Eastern African countries (Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia), looking at the capacity gaps for TBT/SPS implementation, the organizations involved and the linkages with the sustainable development agenda. The paper draws some conclusions and sets an agenda for technical assistance in the region.

Regional Summary Report – South Asia (304 kb)
This document is the culmination of research undertaken in four South Asian countries (Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh), looking at the capacity gaps for TBT/SPS implementation, the organizations involved and the linkages with the sustainable development agenda. The paper draws some conclusions and sets an agenda for technical assistance in the region.