Improving regulatory capacity to manage risks associated with trade agreements

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• International Trade Law
• Health Policy

Background:

• Modern trade negotiations result in numerous preferential trade agreements (PTAs).
• These PTAs present significant risks to public health.
• Governments face increasing demands to enhance administrative and regulatory capacities for PTA management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of administrative regulatory capacity and coordination in managing public health risks associated with PTAs.
• To suggest strategies for countries to improve their capacity in this area.

Main Methods:

• The study analyzes the administrative and regulatory capacity required at different stages of PTAs (negotiation, implementation, management).
• It examines the resource-intensive nature of building and maintaining this capacity.
• The focus is on the challenges faced by smaller and poorer states, particularly developing countries.

Main Results:

• Administrative regulatory capacity needs differ across PTA negotiation, implementation, and management phases.
• Building and maintaining this capacity is expensive, skill-intensive, and requires substantial infrastructure.
• Smaller, poorer states, and developing countries disproportionately struggle to acquire the necessary capacity.

Conclusions:

• PTAs can exacerbate health inequities if states lack adequate administrative regulatory capacity.
• Strengthening capacity is crucial for mitigating public health risks and ensuring equitable outcomes from trade agreements.