International Agreements Committee
UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): Scrutiny of the Government’s Negotiating Objectives
10th Report of Session 2021-22 - published 16 November 2021 - HL Paper 94
Membership of the CPTPP agreement
The UK Government’s Negotiating Objectives for CPTPP
Box 1: Commitments and red lines included in the Negotiating Objectives
Scope for making changes to the CPTPP agreement
Box 2: Mechanisms for seeking carve-outs from treaty obligations
Chapter 2: Analysing the economic case for accession
Immediate economic benefits are limited, but the Agreement may open opportunities for collaboration
Table 1: Summary of long-term economic impacts of accession
Table 2: Bilateral free trade agreements with CPTPP member states
Chapter 3: Impacts on specific sectors, SMEs and consumers
Intellectual property and audio-visual services
Recognition of professional qualifications
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
Chapter 4: Impact on the UK’s regulatory environment
CPTPP Article 18.38 and the European Patent Convention
CPTPP Article 18.53 and the cost of generic medicines to the NHS
Potential constraints on the future regulatory environment
The precautionary principle and food standards
Disclosure of source code of software
Suspended intellectual property provisions
Regulation of professional qualifications
Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
Climate commitments and environmental standards
Chapter 5: Government engagement and consultation
Consultation and engagement with the devolved administrations
Information in the Strategic Approach on devolved impacts
Government engagement with Parliament and the Committee
Summary of Conclusions and recommendations
Appendix 1: List of Members, declarations of interest and Committee staff