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      Q

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QRs.

See Quantitative Restrictions.


QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS (QRs).

Explicit limits, or quotas, on the physical amounts of particular
commodities that can be imported or exported during a specified time
period, usually measured by volume but sometimes by value.  The
quota may be applied on a "selective" basis, with varying limits set
according to the country of origin, or on a global basis that only
specifies the total limit and thus tends to benefit more efficient
suppliers.  Quotas are frequently administered through a system of
licensing.  GATT Article XI generally prohibits the use of
quantitative restrictions, except under conditions specified by other
GATT articles: Article XIX permits quotas to "safeguard" certain
industries from damage by rapidly rising imports; Articles XII and
XVIII provide that quotas may be imposed for balance of payments
reasons under circumstances laid out in Article XV; Article XX permits
special measures to apply to public health, gold stocks, items of
archaeological or historic interest, and several other categories of
goods; and Article XXI recognizes the overriding importance of
national security.  Article XIII provides that quantitative
restrictions, whenever applied, should be non-discriminatory.  See
also Balance of Payments Consultations; Discrimination; Export Quotas;
Export Restraints; General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; Licensing;
Multi-Fiber Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles;
Residual Restrictions; Safeguards; Section 22; Sensitive Products;
Specific Limitations on Trade; and Tariff Quota.


QUARANTINE, SANITARY AND HEALTH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

Government measures to protect consumer, animal and plant health by
regulating the use of dangerous preservatives and other additives in
foods.  The lack of internationally accepted standards makes it
difficult to distinguish between legitimate health standards and
protectionist measures. A Uruguay Round agreement covering sanitary
and phytosanitary standards will recognize norms set by specified
international standard-setting bodies as the baseline standards for
trade, ensure to the maximum extent possible that standards are
scientifically justifiable, and for the first time, establish a
meaningful dispute settlement procedure for health and sanitary
issues. See also Customs and Administrative Entry Procedures;
Discrimination; Packaging, Labeling and Marking Regulations;
Standards; and Uruguay Round.


QUID PRO QUO.

See Reciprocity.


QUOTAS.

See Quantitative Restrictions; and Tariff Quota.