Ecuador publishes technology on ballpoint pens, pencils and graphite leads

On February 23, 2015, Ecuador submitted to the WTO the G/TBT/N/ECU/305 TBT notification on ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, drawing pencils and graphite lead.

The technical regulations involved in the notification stipulate the general requirements and safety requirements that ballpoint pens, caps and refills, mechanical pencils or drawing pencils and graphite leads must comply with, including: product requirements; labeling and marking requirements; sampling; conformity assessment tests; reference documents ; Conformity assessment procedures; Supervision and inspection bodies; Penalty system; Responsibilities of conformity assessment bodies; Review and update.

This technical regulation applies to the following domestic or imported products sold in Ecuador: a. Ballpoint pens, caps and refills; b. Gel ink ballpoint pens, caps and refills; c. Signature pens, caps and refills; d. Mechanical pencils Or drawing pencils; e. Graphite lead; This technical regulation does not apply to the following products: a. Tips and cases used in the production of ballpoint pens; b. Metallic fountain pens; c. Sets containing ballpoint pens and metallic fountain pens.

Proposed date of approval: 90 days from February 18, 2015; Proposed date of entry into force: 180 days from the date of approval; Deadline for feedback: May 20, 2015.