RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/RO/W/61
28 November 2000
(00-5125)
Committee on Rules of Origin
DRAFT
SIXTH ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND
OPERATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON RULES OF ORIGIN
Note by the Secretariat
Article 6:1 of the Agreement on Rules of Origin provides that "the Committee shall review
annually the implementation and operation of Part II and Part III of this Agreement having regard to
its objectives".  This background document is circulated by the Secretariat in preparation for the sixth
annual review of the implementation and operation of the Agreement on Rules of Origin, to be
conducted at the meeting of the Committee on Rules of Origin on 1 December 2000.G/RO/W/61
Page 2
The contents of this document are as follows:
1. Members and Observer status.................................................................................................3
2. Officers of the Committ ee on Rules of  Origin........................................................................4
3. Meetings of the Committe e on Rules of Origin ......................................................................4
4. Harmonization of Rules of Origin...........................................................................................4
5. Notifications of Rules of Origin ............................................................................................. ..7
6. Annual Report to the Council for Trade in Goods ................................................................7G/RO/W/61
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1. Members and Observer status
(a) WTO Members (139)
Albania
AngolaAntigua and Barbuda
Argentina
AustraliaAustria
Bahrain
BangladeshBarbados
Belgium
BelizeBenin
Bolivia
BotswanaBrazil
Brunei Darussalam
BulgariaBurkina Faso
Burundi
CameroonCanada
Central African Republic
ChadChile
Colombia
CongoCongo, Democratic Republic of the
Costa Rica
Côte d'IvoireCubaCyprus
Czech Republic
DenmarkDjibouti
Dominica
Dominican RepublicEC
Ecuador
EgyptEl Salvador
Estonia
FijiFinland
France
GabonGambia
Georgia
GermanyGhana
GreeceGrenada
GuatemalaGuinea Bissau
Guinea, Rep.of
GuyanaHaiti
Honduras
Hong Kong ChinaHungary
Iceland
IndiaIndonesia
Ireland
IsraelItaly
Jamaica
JapanJordan
Kenya
KoreaKuwait
Kyrgyz Republic
LatviaLesotho
Liechtenstein
LuxembourgMacau China
Madagascar
MalawiMalaysiaMaldives
Mali
MaltaMauritania
Mauritius
MexicoMongolia
Morocco
MozambiqueMyanmar
Namibia
NetherlandsNew Zealand
Nicaragua
NigerNigeria
Norway
OmanPakistan
PanamaPapua New Guinea
ParaguayPeru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Qatar
RomaniaRwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint LuciaSaint Vincent & Grenadine
Senegal
Sierra LeoneSingapore
Slovak Republic
SloveniaSolomon Islands
South Africa
SpainSri Lanka
Suriname
SwazilandSweden
Switzerland
TanzaniaThailand
Togo
Trinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkey
Uganda
United Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom
United States
UruguayVenezuela, The Bolivaran
Republic of
ZambiaZimbabweG/RO/W/61
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(b) Observer Governments (33)
Algeria
Andorra
ArmeniaAzerbaijan
Bahamas
BelarusBhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
CambodiaCape Verde
China, Peoples Rep.
CroatiaEthiopia
Former Yugoslav  Rep. of Macedonia
Holy SeeKazakhstan
Laos, P.D.R. ofLebanon
Lithuania
MoldovaNepal
Russian Federation
SamoaSaudi Arabia
Seychelles
SudanTaipei, Chinese
Tonga
UkraineUzbekistan
Vanuatu
Viet NamYemen
(c) Observer International Organizations (9)
1
ACP
EFTA
IADB
IMFITCB
OECD
UNCTAD
WCO
World Bank
2. Officers of the Committee on Rules of Origin
Chairman: Mr. Sándor Simon (Hungary)
Vice-Chairman: Mr. Ho Young Ahn (Korea)
3. Meetings of the Committee on Rules of Origin
During the reporting period, the Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) has held eight formal
meetings on 28 January, 18 February, 14 April, 23 June, 18 July, 29 September, 3 November and
[1 December 2000.]  The minutes of these meetin gs are contained in documents G/RO/M/27-[34].
4. Harmonization of Rules of Origin
4.1 At the meeting on 28 January 2000, the CRO discussed the development of a management
work programme for the Harmonization Work Programme (HWP).  In particular, it discussed the
problems Members had encountered and possible solutions to those problems in advancing its work,
the format and structure of the work, the sequencing of issues to be addressed and a work schedule for
future meetings.
                                                     
1 These organizations have official observer status following agreement in the Committee (G/RO/M/9) and
agreements between the World Bank and the IMF with the WTO (WT/L/195).G/RO/W/61
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Members agreed to a Notional Work Programme setting out a schedule of meetings and the
sequence for addressing issues, in particular the product-specific rules.  A number of Members
indicated that the above discussion and related decisions were made with no prejudice to their
positions in regard to the discussion on the issu e of deadlines in the General Council  (G/RO/M/27).
4.2 At the meeting on 18 February 2000, the CRO:
- discussed Appendix 2 of the overall architecture (G/RO/M/28, paragraph 1);- discussed product-specific rules of origin for Chapters 25-27 (mineral products), 41-
43 (leather), 71 (precious stones and metals), 72-73 (iron and steel) and 74-81 (non-ferrous
metals) (G/RO/M/28, paragraph 2), and endorsed various proposals on harmonized rules of
origin (G/RO/M/28, paragraph 3);
- discussed the deadline for completion of the work programme on harmonizing rules
of origin (G/RO/M/28, paragraph 5); and
- discussed the implications of the implementation of the harmonized rules of origin on
other WTO Agreements (G/RO/M/28, paragraph 4).
4.3 At its meeting on 14 April 2000, the CRO:
- discussed Appendix 2 of the harmonized ru les of origin (G/RO/M/29, paragraph 1);
- discussed product-specific rules of origin for Chapters 82-83 (articles of metal), 84-
85 and 90 (machinery), 86-89 (transportation equipment), 92-97 (musical instruments and
other articles) (G/RO/M/29, paragraph 1);
- discussed the deadline for completion of the work programme on harmonizing rules
of origin.  The Chairman summarized the discussion as follows:
"There was a general recognition that while the CRO had developed good momentum under
the work programme for 2000, which it had adopted in January 2000, a deadline would be auseful and important facilitator for completing the Harmonization Work Programme (HWP).
However, a number of delegations stated that the deadline had to be realistic and that the
results of the HWP should be a quality product.  Delegations also discussed the question of
credibility of the WTO in terms of (a) setting a deadline and (b) missing a deadline.  One
delegation proposed a particular date as a deadline, and several delegations supported that
proposal.  Other delegations were of the view that the proposed date was too tight and not
likely to be achievable.  While a number of delegations suggested that the July stocktakingmeeting offered an opportunity to assess the state of progress, and to possibly set a deadline,
some other delegations suggested that December might be a more appropriate time to
consider the deadline.  Various delegations also indicated that informal consultations on this
matter should continue."  (G/RO/M/29, paragraph 5); and
- discussed the implications of the implementation of the harmonized rules of origin on other
WTO Agreements (G/RO/M/29, paragraph 4).
4.4 At its meeting on 23 June 2000, the CRO:
- discussed the overall architecture of harmonized rules of origin (G/RO/M/30,
paragraph 1);
- discussed product-specific rules of origin for Chapters 1-24 (agricultural products and
fish), 84-85 and 90 (machinery (G/RO/M/30, paragraphs 2 and 3);G/RO/W/61
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- discussed the deadline for completion of the work programme on harmonizing rules
of origin (G/RO/M/30, paragraph 5); and
- discussed the implications of the implementation of the harmonized rules of origin on
other WTO Agreements (G/RO/M/30, paragraph 4).
4.5 At its meeting on 18 July 2000, the CRO:
- discussed in detail the status of negotiations on the overall architecture as well as on
product-specific rules as follow s (G/RO/M/31, paragraph 1):
- as concerned the overall architecture, it was recognized that many complex
technical questions had been clarified through extensive discussions over the past twoyears, while the main obstacle, Rule 2( c) and (f) of Appendix 2 remained unresolved.
The willingness to achieve compromise appeared to be re-instituted;
- as concerned product-specific rules, it was noted that to date the CRO had
resolved only about 20 out of 481 outstanding issues transferred from the TechnicalCommittee for decision.  Although the number of resolved issues did not appear
impressive, it was recognized that Members had developed a better understanding of
issues through detailed technical discussions and a number of options had been
narrowed down;
- Members agreed that in order to maintain momentum, the future work
programme should be scheduled in a more focused manner, to the effect that the CRO
could consecutively take up the same issue without a lengthy time lapse; and
- discussed the deadline for completion of the work programme on harmonizing rules
of origin (G/RO/M/31, paragraph 4).
4.6 At its meeting on 29 September 2000, the CRO:
- discussed the overall architecture of the harmonized rules of origin (G/RO/M/32,
paragraph 1);
- discussed product-specific rules of origin of chapters 50-63 (textile products) and 64-
67 (fortunes and headgear).  The CRO endorsed various proposals on harmonized rules of
origin (G/RO/M/32, paragraphs 2 and 3);
- discussed the deadline for completion of the work programme on harmonizing rules
of origin.  The Chairman summarized the discussion on this issue as follows:
"There is a growing view that the CRO should set as the new deadline the Fourth Session of
the Ministerial Conference or at the latest the end of 2001.  Some delegations, while notobjecting to setting a deadline per se  doubted whether, given the fact that a higher WTO body
was discussing this issue, the CRO would be an appropriate body for decision on this issue.
The Chairman will continue his consultations with Members"  (G/RO/M/32, paragraph 5);
and
- discussed the implications of the implementation of the harmonized rules of origin on
other WTO Agreements (G/RO/M/32, paragraph 4).
4.7 At its meeting on 3 November 2000, the CRO discussed the deadline for completion of the
work programme on harmonizing rules of origi n.  It took note of the communication of theG/RO/W/61
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Chairman of the General Council to the Chairman of the CRO regarding discussions on
implementation in the General Council Special Session of 18 October 2000 relating to rules of
origin issues.  The communication mentioned that the following elements had emerged which
might form a basis on which to deal with this issue:
- first, to consider as the new deadline the Fourth Session of the Ministerial
Conference, or at the latest the end of 2001, as has been suggested by the Chairman
of the Committee;
- second, to urge Members to exercise the political will necessary to expedite the
remaining work on harmonizing non-preferential rules of origin;  and
- third, to request the Chairman of the Committee to report to the General Council, on
his own responsibility, on the progress of work in the Committee;  the first such
report would be submitted to the Council at its first regular meeting next year, and
subsequently at each regular meeting until the completion of the work programme.
The CRO agreed that informal consultations on this matter would continue, and to revert to
this issue at the December meeting  (G/RO/M/33, paragraph 2).
5. Notifications of Rules of Origin
(i) Non-preferential rules of origin
5.1 Notifications relating to non-preferential ru les of origin under Articles 5.1 and 5.2 of the
Agreement have been received from [72] Members of which [38] Members notified that they do not
have non-preferential rules of origin.  [52] Member s have not yet notified their non-preferential rules of
origin (see Annex).
(ii) Preferential rules of origin
5.2 Notifications relating to preferential rules of origin under paragraph 4 of Annex II to the
Agreement have been received from [75] Members,  of which two Members notified that they do not
have preferential rules of origin.  [49] Members have  not yet notified their preferential rules of origin
(see Annex).
6. Annual Report to the Council for Trade in Goods
The CRO adopted its report to the CTG at its meeting on 3 November 2000.
[Report to be finalized in light of discus sions at the meeting of the CRO in December
2000.]G/RO/W/61
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ANNEX
1. Members that have notified Non-Preferential Rules of Origin (34)
Argentina (G/RO/N/2, 10 & 16)
Australia (G/RO/N/1)
Burkina Faso (G/RON/19)Bulgaria (G/RO/N/17 & 27)
Canada (G/RO/N/1)
Colombia (G/RO/N/1)Cuba (G/RO/N/3)
Czech Rep. (G/RO/N/2)
EC (G/RO/N/1)Hong Kong, China (G/RO/N/1)Hungary (G/RO/N/2)
Israel (G/RO/N/13)Japan (G/RO/N/1)
Korea (G/RO/N/1)
Latvia (G/RO/N/25)Madagascar (G/RO/N/11)
Mexico (G/RO/N/12)
Morocco (G/RO/N/2)New Zealand (G/RO/N/1)
Niger (G/RON/19)
Norway (G/RO/N/8)Peru (G/RO/N/4 & 5)Poland (G/RO/N/8)
Qatar (G/RO/N/25) Romania (G/RO/N/1)
Senegal (G/RO/N/10)
Slovak Republic (G/RO/N/1)Slovenia (G/RO/N/5, 7, 29
& 29/Rev.1)
South Africa (G/RO/N/3)Switzerland (G/RO/N/4)
Tunisia (G/RO/N/7)
Turkey (G/RO/N/8 & 28)US (G/RO/N/1 & 6)Venezuela The Bolivaran
Republic of (G/RO/N/1 &
10)
2. Members that have notified that they do not  have Non-Preferential Rules of Origin (38)
Bolivia (G/RO/N/9)
Brazil (G/RO/N/14)
Brunei Darussalam(G/RO/N/5)
Chad (G/RO/N22)
Chile (G/RO/N/6)Costa Rica (G/RO/N/1)
Cyprus ((G/RON/19)
Dominica (G/RO/N/24)Dominican Rep. (G/RO/N/9)
El Salvador (G/RO/N/10)
Fiji (G/RO/N/17)Guatemala (G/RO/N/21)Haiti (G/RO/N/20)
Honduras (G/RO/N/3)
Iceland (G/RO/N/5)India (G/RO/N/1)
Indonesia (G/RO/N/16)
Jamaica (G/RO/N/4)Kenya (G/RO/N/9)
Macau (G/RO/N/21)
Malaysia (G/RO/N/6)Maldives (G/RO/N/22)
Malta (G/RO/N/4)
Mauritius (G/RO/N/1)Mongolia (G/RO/N/20)
Namibia (G/RO/N/26)Nicaragua (G/RO/N/10)
Pakistan (G/RO/N/16)
Panama (G/RO/N/23)Paraguay (G/RO/N/21)
Philippines (G/RO/N/6)
Singapore (G/RO/N/3)Suriname (G/RO/N/24)
Thailand (G/RO/N/1)
Trinidad & Tob. (G/RO/N/7)Uganda (G/RO/N/12)
United Arab Emirates (G/RO/N/17)
Uruguay (G/RO/N/12)
3. Members that have not notified N on-Preferential Rules of Origin (52)
Albania
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
BahrainBangladesh
Barbados
BelizeBenin
Botswana
BurundiCameroon
Central African Rep.
CongoCôte d'IvoireD.R. of Congo
Djibouti
EcuadorEgyptEstonia
Gabon
Gambia
GeorgiaGhana
Grenada
Guinea BissauGuinea, Rep. of
Guyana
JordanKuwait
Kyrgyz Rep.
LesothoLiechtensteinMalawi
Mali
MauritaniaMozambiqueMyanmar
Nigeria
Oman
Papua New GuineaRwanda
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Saint LuciaSaint Vincent &
Grenadines
Sierra LeoneSolomon Islands
Sri Lanka
SwazilandTanzaniaTogo
Zambia
ZimbabweG/RO/W/61
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4. Members that have notified Pref erential Rules of Origin (73)
Argentina (G/RO/N/16)
Australia (G/RO/N/1)Bolivia (G/RO/N/1, 22&23)
Brazil (G/RO/N/12)
Brunei Darussalam(G/RO/N/4)
Bulgaria (G/RO/N/15, 22, 23
& 27)Burkina Faso (G/RO/N/19)
Canada (G/RO/N/1, 6 & 8)
Chad (G/RO/N/22)Chile (G/RO/N/6)
Colombia (G/RO/N/1)
Costa Rica(G/RO/N/20/Rev.1)Côte d'Ivoire (G/RO/N/11)
Cuba (G/RO/N/3)
Cyprus (G/RO/N/19)Czech Rep. (G/RO/N/2, 22
& 23)
Dominica (G/RO/N/24)Dominican Rep. (G/RO/N/5)
EC (G/RO/N/1)
Ecuador (G/RO/N/12)El Salvador (G/RO/N/10 &
11)
Fiji (G/RO/N/17)
Guatemala (G/RO/N/21)
Haiti (G/RO/N/20)Honduras (G/RO/N/3 & 10)Hungary (G/RO/N/2, 22 &
23)
Iceland (G/RO/N/15, 22 &
23)India (G/RO/N/1)
Indonesia (G/RO/N/4)
Israel (G/RO/N/13)
Jamaica (G/RO/N/4)
Japan (G/RO/N/6)Kenya (G/RO/N/9)
Korea (G/RO/N/7)
Latvia (G/RO/N/25)
Liechtenstein (G/RO/N/22)
Madagascar (G/RO/N/11)Malaysia (G/RO/N/4)
Maldives (G/RO/N/22)
Malta (G/RO/N/4)
Mauritius (G/RO/N/1)
Mexico (G/RO/N/12)Mongolia (G/RO/N/20)
Morocco (G/RO/N/2)
Namibia (G/RO/N/26)
New Zealand (G/RO/N/1)
Nicaragua (G/RO/N/10)Niger (G/RON/19)
Norway (G/RO/N/8, 22 &
23)
Pakistan (G/RO/N/16)
Panama (G/RO/N/23)
Paraguay (G/RO/N/12)Peru (G/RO/N/1)
Philippines (G/RO/N/4)
Poland (G/RO/N/8, 22 & 23)
Qatar (G/RO/N/25)Romania (G/RO/N/14, 22 &
23, 29 & 29/Rev.9)
Senegal (G/RO/N/10)
Singapore (G/RO/N/3 & 4)
Slovak Republic (G/RO/N/1,22 & 23)
Slovenia (G/RO/N/5, 7, 22
& 23)
Suriname (G/RO/N/24)
Switzerland (G/RO/N/6, 22,23, 29 & 30)
Thailand (G/RO/N/1 & 4)
Trinidad &Tob. (G/RO/N/7
& 24)
Tunisia (G/RO/N/7)Turkey (G/RO/N/8 & 28)
Uganda (G/RO/N/12)
United Arab Emirates
(G/RO/N/17)
US (G/RO/N/1 , 6 & 18)Uruguay (G/RO/N/5)
Venezuela The Bolivaran
Republic of (G/RO/N/1)
Zambia (G/RO/N/15)
5. Members that have notified that they do not  have Preferential Rules of Origin (2)
Hong Kong, China (G/RO/N/1).
Macau (G/RO/N/21)G/RO/W/61
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6. Members that have not notified Preferential Rules of Origin (49)
Albania
Angola
Antigua & BarbudaBahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Botswana
BurundiCameroon
Cent. African Rep.
Congo
D.R. of Congo
DjiboutiEgypt
EstoniaGabon
Gambia
GeorgiaGhana
Grenada
Guinea Bissau
Guinea, Rep. of
Guyana
Jordan
Kyrgyz Rep.Kuwait
Lesotho
Malawi
Mali
MauritaniaMozambique
MyanmarNigeria
Oman
Papua New GuineaRwanda
St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent & Grenadines
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South AfricaSri Lanka
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Zimbabwe
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