Reference no: EM133176633

Context: Around the world, many organisations and individuals have lobbied governments to ban the sale of textile products from factories that consistently breach local health and safety regulations. The Australian Government is considering new legislation to ban the importation into Australia of textile (clothing) products unless it is certified that the clothing is produced in factories which are certified as fully compliant with local building safety and labour standards regulations. The certificate would be a pre-shipment inspection report, issued by a recognised agency based in the country of origin. Clothing products without the pre-shipment inspection report would not be permitted entry into Australia.

Question: Consider whether the proposed measure might breach Articles I, II, III and/or XI of the GATT. In addition to considering the arguments a complaining state would make, also consider any counter-arguments Australia might make.