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27 September, 2000The French ban on the import of asbestos products has been ruled legal by the WTO.
GENEVA: The Associated Press news agency reported on September 18, 2000, that a ban on importing any product containing asbestos into France has been upheld by a World Trade Organisation dispute panel, which ruled the ban "legal on health grounds".
A panel of experts at the WTO rejected a complaint by the Canadian government, that the French ban was illegal because it would be detrimental to the economic interests of Canada, as well as an impediment to free trade.
Canada, which has been the principal exporter of this product to France, reported on the same day that it intends to appeal this decision.
The French ban, which dates back to January 1997, also prohibits manufacturing, processing and selling asbestos in France. A European Union-wide ban on asbestos, passed in 1999 by the EU, will come into force in 2005.
A panel of experts at the WTO rejected a complaint by the Canadian government, that the French ban was illegal because it would be detrimental to the economic interests of Canada, as well as an impediment to free trade.
Canada, which has been the principal exporter of this product to France, reported on the same day that it intends to appeal this decision.
The French ban, which dates back to January 1997, also prohibits manufacturing, processing and selling asbestos in France. A European Union-wide ban on asbestos, passed in 1999 by the EU, will come into force in 2005.