Can specific commitments be withdrawn or modified at any time?
As per Article XXI of the GATS, specific commitments may be modified not earlier than three years after their entry into force. However,countries which may be affected by such modifications may request the modifying Member to negotiate compensatory adjustments. This doesnot mean monetary compensation but the replacement of the commitment withdrawn by another of an equivalent value. Any such adjustments made are to be granted on an MFN basis. 11. Can commitments be introduced or improved upon outside the context of multilateral negotiations? Yes, any commitment can be added or improved at any time autonomously by the member concerned but it becomes a binding commitment only if it is scheduled.
