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Trade

Introduction

The Trade programme, implemented by Economic Cooperation and Trade Division, works to develop closer economic relations among member States, as well as to better integrate their economies into the world economy. The trade programme's inter-governmental bodies make policy recommendations, develop standards for use in trade and assist member States in implementing them. These bodies also suggest ways and means of creating legal and administrative frameworks for fostering trade. Work includes a range of activities to assist member States with: trade facilitation; regulatory and standards policy; commercial agricultural standards; and e-business standards.

ECTD - Newsletters

Key areas of work

Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards

Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT)

Agricultural Quality Standards (WP.7)

Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6)

SPECA

Studies on non-tariff barriers to Trade

In focus

UNECE WP.6 has launched a public review of draft “Guidance on Regulating Online Marketplaces” developed by its Group of Experts on Risk Management and Market Surveillance (RAMS). The guidance provides practical approaches to help regulators address product safety risks associated with online marketplaces, including risk-based oversight, regulatory models, market segmentation, evidence and intelligence, and engagement with platforms. All interested parties are invited to submit comments by 13 November 2026.

The 44^th UN/CEFACT Forum was attended by more than 500 experts from 60 countries joined the Forum hosted by the Senegalese Customs Agency with the support of GAINDE2000. The event delivered concrete progress across the programme of work, including strengthened collaboration on digital and sustainable transit corridors. It also advanced updates and new proposals for flagship standards such as verifiable trade documents, the UN Transparency Protocol and the Global Trust Registry, alongside progress in priority areas such as WCO–UN/CEFACT data model alignment, digital identity, export controls, trade finance and critical raw materials traceability. The Forum generated new project ideas, reinforced regional partnerships and deepened engagement with countries committed to accelerating interoperability and trusted data exchange for more resilient, inclusive and sustainable trade.

News

UNECE and partners take stock of policy priorities to advance circular economy for biodiversity goals at COP17

23 October 2026

New UNECE guidance tackles managing capacity constraints in product safety oversight

27 August 2026

UNECE publication on product safety to support consumer protection and international trade

23 June 2026

Highlights

WP.6 has published the revision of Recommendation M on "Use of Market Surveillance Infrastructure as a Complementary Means to Protect Consumers and Users against Counterfeit Goods”. The recommendation suggests to governments to explore the possibility, wherever feasible and where the national legal framework permits, to involve their market surveillance authorities in the fight against counterfeit goods – in a complementary way to existing national legal mechanisms.
WP.6 launched the publication Basics of Quality Infrastructure for Trade during the 33rd Annual Session. This publication, authored by experts in the field, provides the general explanation of the various elements of quality infrastructure for trade and its relation to cross-cutting themes.
UN/CEFACT has recently published several White Papers, Guidelines and Executive Guides which are available on the website.
UN/CEFACT has over a dozen active projects ranging from Single Window recommendations to eQuality Certificates and Sustainable tourism to Blockchain. If you are interested in joining our work, please contact us at [email protected]
WP.6 announced the publication of the “Guidelines on Developing Gender-Responsive Standards” (ECE/TRADE/472) which is available on the publications web page.
WP.6 has published a brochure on Why Gender-Responsive Standards are Better for Everyone that offers an explanation and rationale of gender-responsive standards for the new comer. It provides a general overview of the intrinsic nature of standards and how these might affect women and men differently.