B  TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE

Measures referring to technical regulations, and procedures for assessment of conformity with technical regulations and standards, excluding measures covered by the SPS Agreement. 
 
A "technical regulation" is a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. It may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method.  A "conformity assessment procedure" is any procedure used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements in technical regulations or standards are fulfilled; it may include, inter alia, procedures for sampling, testing and inspection; evaluation, verification and assurance of conformity; registration, accreditation and approval as well as their combinations.
 
Measures classified under B1 through B7 are Technical Regulations while those under B8 are their Conformity Assessment Procedures.  Among the Technical Regulations, those in B4 are related to production processes, while others are applied directly on products.