Technical Regulations
Technical regulations and standards set out specific characteristics of a product, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way it is labelled or packaged before it is put on sale. In certain cases, the way a product is produced can affect these characteristics and it may then prove more appropriate to draft technical regulations and standards in terms of a product's process and production methods rather than its characteristics.
The Difference Between Standards and Technical Regulations
The difference between a standard and a technical regulation lies in compliance. While conformity with standards is voluntary, technical regulations are by nature mandatory and have the force of law. They have different implications for international trade. If an imported product does not fulfill the requirements of a technical regulation, it will not be allowed to enter the market. In case of standards, non-complying imported products will be allowed in the market but then their market share may be affected if consumers prefer products that meet local standards such as quality or colour standards for textiles and clothing.
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