The European Union’s Generalised System of Preferences

The Generalised System of Preferences, known as GSP, is defined as “a formal system of exemption from the more general rules applied by the European Union on its trade relationship with third countries”. Specifically, it is a system of exemption from the GATT MFN clause that obligates WTO member countries to treat the imports of all other WTO member countries not worse than they treat the imports of their "most favoured" trading partner. The objective of GSP is to assist developing countries on poverty reduction, by helping them to generate revenue through international trade. In EU law, the GSP traditionally comes under the Common Commercial Policy, Article 133 of the EC Treaty as amended by Article 188C of the Treaty of Lisbon. Implementation and utilisation of GSP should not solely be a duty of the preference-granting country but of the beneficiary country as well. Strengthening trade facilitation between the preference-granting country and the beneficiary country is deemed as an important factor to achieve the purpose of the GSP. Implementation of the GSP is considered as a multi complex task, associated with international trade law, international taxation law (tariffs, custom duties and administrative procedures), trade facilitations, capacity building of trade institutions, import export procedures, good governance and information technology (e-governance, e-trade, and e-statistics). All these factors are interrelated and mutually supported to optimise the utilisation of GSP by the beneficiary country.