Perhaps the most well known element of Chinese culture in the Western world is guanxi, loosely - and incompletely - translated as “personal connections.” Literature in recent decades has emphasized guanxi’s strategic importance when doing business in China but some analysts are beginning to suggest that this importance will wane as China continues to undergo liberalizing economic reforms.

Geographical indications are words that identify a product originating from a particular place: for example, “tequila”, “champagne” or “parmesan”. The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) sets out international rules that apply to these terms. By means of example, when a name becomes generic it is free to use.

Dispute settlement mechanisms before the WTO only allow members of the Organization, and not private parties, to bring actions for breach of international trade regulations. However, SMEs in developing countries can benefit from their governments’ actions in this regard.  

To address foodborne disease, governments and international organizations have created HACCP, a system based on seven principles to ensure food safety.