Annex B 2.1: Standards and Conformance Collaboration

Area of Cooperation

Standards and Conformance

Purpose

The alignment and cooperation on standards, technical regulations, metrology and conformity assessment procedures will help facilitate trade of environmental goods by increasing compatibility, reliability and interoperability. Promoting bilateral collaboration in areas of mutual interest at international fora that Singapore and Australia participate in will also help ensure the unique interests of Singapore and Australia are adequately represented in the development of international standards related to the green economy.

Description

Singapore and Australia will explore opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and internationally on standards, technical regulations, metrology and conformity assessment procedures across a range of mutually determined priority sectors in the green economy.

• These priority sectors can include but are not limited to the List of Environmental Goods at Annexe B 1.1. In addition, Paragraph 7(d) in the GEA identifies early priority areas of green supply chains; sustainable agriculture and food systems; the built environment; renewable and clean energy trade; carbon offsets; carbon capture, storage and utilisation; green finance; and the circular economy.

Singapore and Australia will give positive consideration to each other's proposals for cooperation on standards, technical regulations, metrology and conformity assessment procedures related to the green economy. The relevant government agencies will promote cooperation between government and industry stakeholders to develop a greater understanding on standards, technical regulations, metrology and conformity assessment procedures related to the green economy. This may be achieved through cross-border research, trialling or testing initiatives or joint public and private sector workshops, amongst other initiatives.

The GEA will also provide a platform to facilitate ongoing dialogue between the standards and conformance bodies of Singapore and Australia on opportunities for collaboration, such as:

• Participation in the development of international standards through organisations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• The adoption of international or internationally-recognised standards as national standards in Singapore and Australia, where appropriate.
• Mutual recognition of respective certification and conformity assessment procedures in relation to the green economy.
• Cross-border recognition of conformity assessment results, including but not limited to the acceptance of conformity assessment results by regulators using international recognition agreements or arrangements that both Singapore and Australia are party to.

Upon request of either country, the other country will endeavour to provide information on standards, technical regulations, metrology and conformity assessment procedures in relation to the green economy, either in print or electronically, within 60 calendar days.

Specific Objectives

To align and cooperate on standards, technical regulations, metrology and conformity assessment procedures between Singapore and Australia to facilitate the free flow of trade in environmental goods.

To promote coordination in Singapore and Australia's participation in international and regional standards and conformance bodies in areas of mutual interest and in relation to the green economy.

To facilitate the exchange of information and experiences around domestic or international green and environmental standards and conformance matters.

Governance Process

Singapore and Australia will jointly report to the GEA Action Team established and identified in the Appendix: Governance, Implementation and Institutional Matters. Singapore and Australia will report on progress in achieving the Specific Objectives outlined above in this Annex. This will feed into GAT reporting for the annual Senior Officials Meeting.

Project Leads

Singapore

Ministry of Trade and Industry
Enterprise Singapore

Australia

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Industry, Science, and Resources