World Trade Organization Upholds French Ban on Asbestos

GENEVA - Finding there was sufficient basis to conclude that chrysotile asbestos poses a significant risk to human life and health, the appellate body of the World Trade Organization has upheld a ruling that allowed France to ban importation of products containing the fiber.

photo-1The March 12 decision comes more than four years after the French implemented its ban on manufacturing, processing and selling asbestos within the country. A WTO panel found in June 2000 that France's ban was not a breach of global trade regulations.

However, Canada, the world's foremost exporter of asbestos, challenged the panel's ruling on grounds …