Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) are regulations, standards, or testing procedures that countries put in place to ensure products meet safety, quality, or environmental criteria. While these measures aim to protect consumers and the environment, they can unintentionally create obstacles for foreign businesses trying to sell their products internationally. For example, different packaging rules or testing requirements might increase costs or delay shipments. The World Trade Organization (WTO) works to ensure these standards are fair and not used unnecessarily to restrict trade, encouraging countries to find transparent and science-based ways to regulate imports.