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(...) The authorities stated that Trinidad and Tobago's SPS measures are based on international standards. A National Biosafety Policy was issued in 2014, the objective of which is to develop an appropriate and transparent administrative, regulatory and legislative framework to govern the development and use of modern biotechnology products, including living modified organisms and their intended use in food, feed and processing.

(...)Price controls remain in place for petroleum, the transmission and distribution of electricity, water and waste water rates, and public transport fares(…).

The main strategy being implemented to guide Trinidad and Tobago's overall social and economic development is "Vision 2030: (...) (e) placing the environment at the centre of social and economic development. (...)Among the main economic priorities identified in Vision 2030 are to: expand exports, increase foreign exchange earnings an employment; improve productivity; manage energy-related developments (Section 4.3); and ensure growth while protecting the environment. (...)

An Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARICOM members and the Dominican Republic (CARIFORUM) and the European Union was signed in October 2008. It is being provisionally applied by all parties, except Haiti; it will enter into force once all parties have completed the ratification process. The Agreement covers goods and services liberalization and, inter alia, has provisions on electronic commerce (see below); competition; public procurement; intellectual property rights; and environmental protection. (...)

(...)Under Trinidad and Tobago's Aid for Trade Strategy (see above), target sectors for investment are: clean technology, (...)

(...)A component of the Framework is the Inter-Ministerial Committee, appointed by the Cabinet and chaired by the Minister of Trade and Industry. This Committee's short-term objectives are to review, approve and facilitate investments in the non-energy sector worth over USD 5 million. The Committee has set a temporary standard of a maximum of 60 days for approvals for simple projects (those not requiring environmental approvals) and 180 days for complex projects (those requiring environmental approvals). (...)

In December 2017, the Government introduced an environmental tax on imports of used tyres into Trinidad and Tobago; the rate applied is TTD 20 per tyre. The purpose of this tax is to cover the proper disposal of used tyres.

Trinidad and Tobago's import licensing regime is largely regulated by the Imports and Exports Control Regulations 1941 (scheduled as part of the Trade Ordinance No. 19 of 1958). The licensing system is a statutory requirement as published in Legal Notice No. 69 of 1999. This was last updated by Legal Notice 290 of 2014, which amends the Import Negative List to include ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and mixtures containing ODS excluding asthma inhalers. (...)

Import licensing requirements, 2014
HS headinga Licence type Description of goods Reason for licence
(...) (...) (...) (...)
Pesticides
ex 2903.10 NA Parathion, ethyl Health, environment
ex 2907 NA 2,4,5-trichlorphenyl (s,4,5-T); dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT); chlordimeform Health, environment
ex 2903.40 NA Dibromocholoropropane (DBCP); ethylene dibromide (EDB) Health, environment
ex 2907.20 NA Pentachlorophenol (PCP) Health, environment
ex 29 NA Lead arsenate Health, environment
ex 29 NA Thallium and its salts Health, environment
ex 29 NA Aldrin, dieldrin and endrin Health, environment
Equipment requiring the use of ozone-depleting substances
8408, ex 8409, 8414.30 NA Compressors and their parts Montreal Protocol
ex 8418 NA Used refrigerating equipment Montreal Protocol
ex 84 NA Dehumidifiers Montreal Protocol
8415 NA Air-conditioning machines and parts, auto air-conditioning units and their parts for new or used vehicles, mounted or not Montreal Protocol
8418 NA Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating/freezing equipment Montreal Protocol
8403 NA Heat pumps and their parts for domestic and commercial use Montreal Protocol
ex 84 NA Portable fire extinguishers and their parts Montreal Protocol
2903.19, 2903.20-23, 2903.40, 45, 47 and 49 NA Mixtures containing ODSs Montreal Protocol

Both automatic and non-automatic licences are granted on an MFN basis, except for oils and fats. Automatic licensing is used for statistical purposes, while non-automatic licensing is used to administer import restrictions in place due to bilateral/regional trade agreements, or for environmental, national security, or health and safety reasons, and to comply with commitments under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.