Conducting sustainability impact assessments of world trade agreements

Identifying the components of each trade measure which may give rise to significant economic, social or environmental impacts (according to different scenarios and for different country groups). Identifying the cause-effect routes through which these impacts are likely to occur. Determining the significance of the impacts, using indicators and significance criteria.

In 1999, the European Commission commissioned an independent assessment of the impact that future trade negotiations would have on sustainable development world-wide.