WTO Members Talk Improving Committee on Rules of Origin

World Trade Organization members taking part in the Committee on Rules of Origin's April 29 meeting discussed ways to improve the "functioning of the committee" and use digital tools to "facilitate the work of delegates," the WTO said. Members discussed various measures to improve the committee, which included revamping the "rules of origin gateway page on the WTO website" by adding a guide for new delegates on the committee's work and an events page.

The committee's interim chair "outlined a proposal to address the impasse regarding a Draft Transparency Decision on Non-Preferential Rules of Origin." The decision lays out a template for members to notify rules of origin they use when applying most-favored-nation tariff treatment on imports. The chair proposed a change in approach with a "shorter and simpler draft decision reaffirming members' commitment to transparency and updated notifications," so then the transparency decision "would refer to an annex containing a template to be used on a voluntary basis."

The interim chair also invited members to comment on the Committee on Rules of Origin report to the General Council on preferential rules of origin for least-developed countries. Various members noted the committee should continue ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to LDC imports are "transparent and simple and contribute to facilitating market access."