Certificates of origin Trends and Issues By Anthony Parkes WCF Executive Director ACCE Convention 1- 4 August 2012

Content 1.General presentation of ICC & WCF 2.WCF’s work in the field of COs 3.Our partnership with ACCE

What is International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)? ICC is the voice of world business championing the global economy as a force for economic growth, job creation and prosperity. ICC activities cover a broad spectrum, from arbitration and dispute resolution to making the case for open trade and the market economy system, business self-regulation and writing tools of trade, fighting corruption or combating commercial crime. ICC works with international organizations of all sizes on a host of policy subjects (UN, WTO, WIPO, WCO, G20).

What is the World Chambers Federation (WCF)? Established by ICC in 1951 to be the advocate of chambers of commerce worldwide. WCF is a non-political, non-governmental body representing the interests of all local, national, regional, bilateral and transnational chambers of commerce and industry. Membership to WCF is via ICC local representative offices in 90 countries or directly to Paris. WCF strengthens links between chambers, enabling them to improve performance as well as discover new products and services to offer their members. For ICC, chambers provide the voice of SMEs in its scope of work.

Knowledge & Knowhow: The World Chambers Congress Held every two years in a different region of the world, the Congress is the only international forum for chamber leaders and professionals to share best-practices, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities, and learn about new areas of innovation from chambers around the world. Next Congress: 8th World Chambers Congress Doha, Qatar, April, 2013, The World Chambers Competition provides a unique opportunity for chambers to showcase originality and ingenuity. Applications open for the 2013 Competition are: Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project, Best International Trade Project, Best Small Business Project, Best Unconventional Project, Best Youth Entrepreneurship Project.

Global Networks The World Chambers Network (WCN) is the official Chamber portal dedicated to electronic international trade. Some services: Chamber Directory: the internet’s most complete free registry with links to 12,000 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade all around the world. GBX -The Global Business eXchange Program: a platform to showcase business opportunities. Free for chambers to use. ChamberTrust: the only “B to B” verification seal issued by the participating chamber onto the company’s website, following the chamber verification of information about a company (existence, ownership of website, products and activities, etc…). Your role  Participate to WCN promotion  Update your data and links  Promote your members! -Sell and make money! -Bring money: advertisement, sponsors… -Bring ideas to be deployed world wide

ATA Carnets The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits the duty and tax-free importation of goods for up to one year WCF administers the guarantee chain (71 members countries), in close collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) More than 150,000 Carnets are issued each year value New priority countries: Argentina, Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Trinidad and Tobago ICC Trade books ICC Guide to Export/Import ICC Guide to Incoterms 2010 ICC Model Subcontract Visit: Trade Services

WCF’s work in the field of Certificates of Origin…

Highlights in CO History First CO - CCI Marseille Geneva Convention - simplification of customs formalities Revised Kyoto Convention Customs authorize Chambers to issue PCOs; e- application for CO is introduced Creation of ICC WCF CO Task Force ICC WCF CO Guidelines published in English Chambers issue eCOs; CO Accreditation Project is initiated by ICC WCF CO Guidelines available in 6 languages Chambers have a long historical expertise in issuing CO and have an international recognition as « Competent Authorities ».

Italy 688,555 UK 506,000 Russia 500,000 Italy 688,555 UK 506,000 Russia 500,000 Japan 736,700 Korea 560,000 Japan 736,700 Korea 560,000 Hong Kong 80,000 Malaysia 50,000 Thaïlande 230,000 Vietnam 359,727 Hong Kong 80,000 Malaysia 50,000 Thaïlande 230,000 Vietnam 359,727 Germany 1.0 Mio Dubai 698,054 China 3,7 Mio France 484,700 Ukraine 497,900 Netherlands 345,000 Spain 230,000 Switzerland 248,350 Belgium 247,270 France 484,700 Ukraine 497,900 Netherlands 345,000 Spain 230,000 Switzerland 248,350 Belgium 247,270 Turkey 1 Mio 2011 World CO Survey: 20 Main Issuing Countries 15 Millions of COs are issued per year by more than 2,000 Chambers from over 100 countries. USA 4 Mio Brazil 0,30 Australia 103,225

Since 1951, WCF has been working actively with WCO and Chambers of Commerce on International Trade Facilitation issues. The environment within which Chambers issue CO calls for urgent action as there is no international standard for the issuance of CO. Since 2003, the WCF CO Task Force was formed to: Promote, protect and enhance the role of Chambers as the natural, competent and trusted Third Party agent to issue CO; Raise the credibility of Chambers’ trade documentation functions through: - the ICC WCF International CO Guidelines; and - CO Training Programmes Set up an international standard for the issuance of CO; Lobby for the acceptance of eCO by governments; Call for the liberalization of the issuance of Preferential CO to Chambers. ICC WCF and CO Mission

COs: our global challenges eCOs implementation:  not recognised consistently by Customs  eCO recognition (29% of CCI’s offer eCO services) PCOs:  liberalization of PCOs issued under FTAs to Chambers  Major advantages customer service for exporters Issuing organizations:  Chambers under constant scruting and questioning on their role  ISO standard as a threat to Chambers and their self regulation  AEOs and the role of chambers? ADVOCACYADVOCACYADVOCACYADVOCACY ROLEROLEROLEROLE

Chamber Skills:  Due to the development of COs per country, no standard skills and training  Different levels of service – « weakest links » affects the integrity of the global chamber movement CAPACITYCAPACITYBUILDINGBUILDINGCAPACITYCAPACITYBUILDINGBUILDING COs: our global challenges

Setting the Standard Published in 2006 and available in 6 languages: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, French and English (ICC Bookstore: First guidelines of its kind on the Certification processes for chambers. It incorporates the best practices from several national chambers and organizations in the issuance of non-preferential certificates of origin. Recognition by: -World Customs Organization (WCO), -International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), -American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), -Asociación Iberoamericana de Cámaras de Comercio (AICO), -Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), -Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CACCI), -Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI).

CO Accreditation Chain Capacity building Standard CO Guidelines Set up an international eCO standard Development of online training and country training programmes Advocacy lobby Liberalization of PCO and acceptance of eCO

Benefits for Chambers International inter-connection and recognition by the use of ICC WCF logo on CO issued Reinforce credibility to COs issued and raise the level of acceptance by Customs and importers Resolution of COs disputes between CCIs and Customs Providing additional reassurance to SME companies on the benefits of the global chamber of commerce network in its transparent, independent, responsible and accountable CO issuance procedures Supporting your chamber’s efforts nationally as well as regionally Participation in ICC WCF’s advocacy work with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and regional/national customs administration to ensure the protection and promotion of the role of chambers in the delivery of COs Contribution to WCF’s initiatives/programmes in providing CO capacity building and technical expertise to chambers through peer-to-peer experience and training to raise the level of chamber professionalism and competency in CO issuance.

Lending Chambers Credibility and International Recognition in CO Issuing: Priceless.

Our partnership with ACCE:  ACCE as member of the ICC WCF Executive Committee  ICC WCF recently participated as speaker in the ACCE’s eCourses on COs  Facilitating exchange of international experience and personal ties from chambers How can we help the US Market:  Use of the ICC tools and “international” as part of economic development strategy  Use of the ICC WCF International CO Guidelines  Upcoming online training  Contact ICC WCF if your chamber has any issues with other countries ICC WCF and ACCE

Thank you for your attention! For more information on COs : Anthony Parkes WCF Executive Director Julie Sonladuangchanh WCF Project Officer