G/L/1405  
 
15 October  2021 
(21-7808) Page: 1/2 
   
 
 
REPORT ( 2021) OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES OF ORIGIN  
TO THE  COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
 
1. This report summarises the work of the Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) throughout  2021. 
Article  6.1 of the Agreement on Rules of Origin  provides  that 
"The Committee shall review annually the implementation and operation of Parts II and III of 
this Agreement having regard to its objectives " and " inform the Council for Trade in Goods of 
developments during the period covered by such reviews. " 
2. The CRO held two formal meetings in 202 1: on 20 May and  on 14 October. The minutes of 
these meetings are contained in documents G/RO/M/7 6 and G/RO/M/7 71 respectively. 
Mr. Sulaiman  SATARI (Afghanistan) was elected Chairperson  of the CRO in July 2 021 and 
Mrs Laura  GAUER (Switzerland) was elected vice-Chairperson  in Septembe r 2021 . The work of the 
Committee continued to be structured around two broad issues: (1) non -preferential rules of origin ; 
and (2)  preferential rules of origin for LDCs.  
3. On non -preferential rules of origin, the Committee did not hold specific discussions related to 
the Harmonization Work Programme  (HWP), launched in 1995 in accordance with Article 9.2(a) of 
the Agreement on Rules of Origin. Members have expressed diverse v isions regarding the 
implications that harmonized rules of origin could have for other trade policy instruments 
("core policy issues" ). Therefore, the negotiations have not seen much development since 2007.  
4. Instead , Members have been  focusing on improving  their understanding and knowledge about 
national practices related to non -preferential rules of origin. In this regard, a proposal to 
"enhance  transparency on non -preferential rules of origin" (G/RO/W/182/Rev. 4) has been on the 
Committee's agenda for almo st three years. In 2021 , consultations were held between proponents 
of the draft decision  and certain members . Despite progress, additional consultations need to be 
held on the proposal . 
5. With respect to preferential rules of origin, the Committee  continued  its practice  of review ing 
the implementation of the Bali and the Nairobi Ministerial Decision s on preferential rules of origin for 
least developed countries (LDCs) ( WT/L/917 and WT/L/917/Add.1).  
6. In this context, preference -granting members prese nted the latest developments regarding 
their preferential rules of origin for LDCs. The representative of the United Kingdom  recalled the 
successful launch of the General  System of Preferences (GSP) and underlined the importance of  
further  simplification o f rules of origin. In this regard, members, specially LDC partners, were invited 
to share insights on how to make such improvements . The representative of the European Union  
gave updates on the implementation  of the REX system.  
7. The WTO secretariat presented note (G/RO/W/204 ) on "Utilization of Trade Preferences by Least 
Developed Countries: 2015 -2019 Patterns and Trends ". 
8. Members heard a presentation by the UNCTAD regarding a new website and database on the 
utilization of GSP sch emes  (https://gsp.unctad.org/home ). 
9. Finally, on 19 May, members participated in a w ebinar on "What Drives the Utilization of Trade 
Preferences" organized by the Secretariat. The webinar was an opportunity to revi ew the research 
conducted so far by the Secretariat on the utilization of trade preferences by LDCs. In addition, it 
was also an opportunity to learn more about research being conducted by other institutions on the 
 
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  linkages between rules of origin and the utilization of trade preferences. Finally, the workshop also 
offered Members an opportunity to learn from each other's experiences in monitoring the utilization 
of trade preferences and working with the private sector to train operators on origin requireme nts 
and promote a fuller utilization of trade preferences. The programme, presentations and video 
recording of an event can be accessed through the rules of origin page of the WTO website . 
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