While tariffs rose sharply in 2025, the biggest costs are from non-tariff measures such as technical regulations, health and safety requirements and certification procedures.

These measures determine who can access markets and under what conditions and, for most countries, these requirements cost more than tariffs, says global agency UN Trade and Development (Unctad).

However, the challenge is not the measures themselves, but how they are applied. A lack of transparency makes it difficult for firms to identify and comply with requirements and uncertainty adds to delays and costs, especially for smaller businesses.

“Improving access to information can make a measurable difference. Better transparency could reduce trade costs linked to these measures by about 19%. When requirements are not properly notified, the cost can be equivalent to a 28% tariff,” Unctad points out in its May ‘Global Trade Update’ report.

Non-tariff measures serve legitimate public policy goals. They support safety, health and environmental protection. The objective is not to remove them, but to reduce unnecessary costs.

Greater transparency, stronger regulatory cooperation and targeted support can help exporters meet requirements more efficiently.

Aligning or recognising standards across countries can also lower costs, particularly in trade between developing economies, the report states.

In some regions, tariffs on exports nearly doubled in 2025. Simultaneously, compliance with standards has become more demanding and more expensive.

Non-tariff measures, such as technical rules, health and safety requirements and certification procedures, remain the main driver of export costs, especially for developing economies.

Developing and least developed countries (LDCs) face both higher tariffs and more complex requirements.

“The result is lost trade. LDCs forfeit around 10% of their exports to G20 markets because they cannot meet these requirements,” the report says.

Smaller exporters are particularly affected, as limited technical capacity and the absence of local testing facilities increase costs and reduce competitiveness, the report adds.