This workshop studies the impact of private standards on international trade. The first presen-tation studies what information mechanisms actually influence consumer buying behaviour. The presentation focuses on four specific mechanisms: certificates and labels; CSR reports; consumer guides; and company reputation. The analysis is applied to international trade in fish, cut flowers, cosmetics and textiles and clothing. The presenter also indicates what com-panies and governments may do to promote information transmission and socially responsible consumption. In the second presentation, the implication of private standards for international trade is analysed for shell-fish from South-East Asia. The presenter assesses whether the im-portance of private standards for international trade and investments increases and what the relation is between private and public standards. The presentation will also discuss the impli-cations for smallholders in developing countries. There is some debate within the WTO whether WTO rules should apply to private standards as well, because private standards in-creasingly constitute a barrier for market access.

Speakers:
Barbara Fliess      OECD, France
Pepijn van de Port     Free University, Netherlands