Norms as a Political Weapon? Sanitary, Phytosanitary, and Technical Norms as Russia's Foreign Trade Tool
2021
Abstract
The paper explores the use of sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical norms for achieving political aims on the example of Russia. Even Russia's entry to the WTO in 2012 did not alter the policy due to the general wording of these agreements together with the GOST (State Standard) norms valid in the post-Soviet space allow Russia to misuse these norms.
Russia holds their nonfulfillment in reserve and activates them only if a political clash occurs. Such cases are usually not taken to the WTO organs by the impacted states because of the weaknesses of the WTO appeal process.