Beyond the information technology agreement : harmonization of standards and trade in electronics, Vol. 1 of 1

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Beyond the information technology agreement : harmonization of standards and trade in electronics

Author:	Portugal-Perez, Alberto; Reyes, Jose-Daniel ; Wilson, John S.;	Collection Title:	Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 4916
Country:	World;	Date Stored:	2009/04/28
Document Date:	2009/04/01	Document Type:	Policy Research Working Paper
Language:	English	Region:	The World Region
Report Number:	WPS4916	SubTopics:	Scientific Research & Science Parks; Information Security & Privacy; Science Education; Labor Policies; Technology Industry
Volume No:	1 of 1

Summary: Product standards can have a dual impact on production and trade costs. Standards may impose additional costs on exporters as it may be necessary to adapt products for specific markets (cost-effect). In contrast, standards can reduce exporters' information costs if they convey information on industrial requirements or consumer tastes that would be costly to collect in the absence of standards (informational-effect). Using a new World Bank database of European standards for electronic products, the authors examine the impact of internationally-harmonized European standards on European Union imports. They find that European Union standards for electronic products that are harmonized to international standards have a positive and significant effect on trade. The results suggest that efforts to promote trade in electronic products could be complemented by steps to promote standards harmonization. This might include, for example, re-starting talks to extend the Information Technology Agreement to non-tariff measures and commitments to harmonize national standards in electronic products.


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