The most recent round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) negotiations took place from September 16-22, 2015. The primary focus of the ninth round was on Participants’ positions on the nominated products included within a list of goods developed by the Chairman in advance of the round. Goods included in the “Chair’s List” are nominations which, in the judgement of the Chair, stand the greatest chance of achieving consensus among Participants. Progress was made to raise the level of support for many products that are a priority to Canadian stakeholders. Canada’s representatives will continue to advocate for the inclusion of the goods of interest to Canada in the final agreement.  

With the intention to achieve meaningful progress by December 2015, two rounds of negotiations are scheduled for the Fall. The tenth round of negotiations, which will take place between October 29 and November 4, 2015, will include further discussions on the Chair’s List as well as technical work related to the customs descriptions of the nominated goods.  Thereafter, negotiators will continue their work to agree upon a final list of environmental goods for the EGA.

Information on the EGA is available on the  website.