Protocol
Between The Government of the Republic of Armenia and The Government of the Republic of Lebanon on Cooperation in the field of Standards
The Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Lebanon, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",
Have agreed on the following:
Article 1
For the implementation of the present Protocol the Parties authorize (hereinafter referred to as "the Authorized bodies"),
The Republic of Armenia: the National Institute of Standards.
The Republic of Lebanon: the Lebanese Standards Institution;
Article 2
The cooperation between the Authourized bodies shall encompass the joint works, particularly:
1. Working on the harmonization of standards published by the Authorized bodies, provided that priority shall be given to the standards of products and goods that are subject of trade between the two countries, such as:
a - Commodities that have standards in both countries: The Authourized bodies shall work on the harmonization of these standards.
b - Commodities that do not have standards in both countries: international standards shall be adopted. In case of the absence of such international standards, the two Authourized bodies shall agree to adopt a particular standard.
c - Commodities that have standards in one of the Parties only: these standards shall be adopted by both institutions, untill harmonized standards are elaborated.
2. Exchanging information and experience on the Quality Marks (Conformity mark) related to both institutions and harmonizing their relevant procedures with the international guides and documentations.
3. Considering international standards and standards issued by the two standardization institutions of both countries, key references when elaborating standards in both countries.
4. Establishing a joint annual work program for the elaboration of standards giving the priority to the products that are exchanged between the two countries.
Article 3
In addition to the above, the Authourized bodies shall cooperate in the following fields:
1. Free exchange of the standards issued up till the present date and those that will be issued by each of them in the future to facilitate the standardization activity.
2. Exchange of experts and trainees.
3. Exchange of information including publications, periodicals, studies and research papers in the field of standardization.
4. Joint organization of courses, conferences and meetings related to standards.
5. Consolidation of their positions in the international and regional organizations.
6. Raising awareness in the field of standardization.
Article 4
The cooperation between the Authourized bodies shall be implemented within the framework of an executive program agreed by the Parties.
Article 5
If necessary, the officials of the Authourized bodies shall meet every two years alternately in Yerevan and Beirut to follow up on the implementation of what has been agreed upon.
Article 6
With the initiative of any of the Parties and by mutual agreement, changes and amendments can be made to the present Protocol, which shall be formulated by separate protocols and shall enter into force in accordance to the procedures provided by the present Protocol, and shall be inseparable part of it.
Article 7
Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Protocol shall be settled through discussions and negotiations by the Parties.
Article 8
This Protocol shall enter into force on the date of the last written notification made by one of the Parties to the other through diplomatic channels about the completion of the internal procedures necessary for its entry into force. It shall remain in force for indefinite period, unless one of the Parties notifies the other in written form about its intention to terminate it, six months before the end of its validity.
Done in Yerevan, on December 9, 2011, in two original copies in Armenian, Arabic and English languages, all texts being authentic. In case of divergence, in English text shall prevail.
The Protocol has entered into force on 24 October 2012.