Grey Area

Grey Area Measures and the GATT Policy Negotiations

In relation to the GATT Policy Negotiations, Christopher Mark (1993) provided the following explanation and/or definition of Grey Area Measures: Import relief measures taken outside the scope of GATT rules by countries seeking to protect domestic industries from injury arising from factors other than foreign unfair trade practices. The main forms are voluntary restraint agreements (VRAs) and orderly marketing arrangements (OMAs). Negotiations on safeguards in the Uruguay Round have aimed at bringing grey area measures within the scope of GATT rules and disciplines.