Trade Policy Review Mechanism

The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was established at the Mid-Term Review of the Uruguay Round. The WTO Council, meeting as the Trade Policy Review Body of WTO, examines the impact of each contracting party's trade policies and practices on the multilateral trading system. The TPRM enables the WTO Members collectively to assess and monitor all aspects of the trade policies and practices of each individual contracting party, thereby enhancing transparency in the multilateral trading system.

Fewer Obligations

Procedures for review: Section C: (ii)



The four largest trading entities in terms of market share (currently the EC, U.S., Canada and Japan) are subject to review every two years, the next sixteen every four years - this group includes currently six developing countries - and the other contracting parties, including the majority of developing countries, every six years. Longer intervals may be prescribed for least-developed countries.

Reporting: Section D



Some flexibility might be needed by least-developed countries in compiling their reports (currently they have the possibility, through a Council Decision, to depart from the outline format).

Technical Assistance

Reporting: Section D



The WTO Secretariat will make available technical assistance on request to developing country Members, particularly to least-developed countries, in the compilation of their national reports.