RESTRICTED   
  
JOB/RO/9  
 
18 April 2023  
(23-2799) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Rules of Origin  Original: English  
 
 
MC12 IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS: IMPROVING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CRO  
COMMUNICATION  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
On 9 March 2023, I received a communication from the Chairperson of the CTG ( JOB/CTG/24 ) asking 
me, and the other Chairp ersons of the CTG's subsidiary bodies, to organize discussions in the 
Committee on Rules of Origin to  allow Members to identify possible areas for improvement  in the 
functioning of the Committee. Possible areas of improvement were compiled by the Chairpers on of 
the CTG in the document "Next steps proposed by the Chairperson following the informal meeting 
of 31 March 2023" ( JOB/CTG/27 ).  
With a view to moving these discussions forward in the context of the CRO  in the most efficient 
manner , I have asked the Secretariat to prepare the table below. It  contains:  
- A list of areas for possible improvement based on the consolidated list of next steps 
prepared by the Chairperson of the CTG (c olumn 1 ); and  
- a description of the current practice of the CRO in each of these areas (column 2).   
- My own comments and  some proposals (column 3) . 
In fact, some of the items in this list might be quite simple to implement. I would therefore like to 
propose, that the Secretariat implement  them ahead of our next formal meeting.  I welcome any 
views that Members might have on these proposals by close of business 5 May  2023 .  
In the other cases, I welcome Members' views about whether some recommendations are applicable 
or relevant to the CRO (column 3).  
This table will be complement ed, revised and updated in light of comments by delegations and will 
be used to structure the discussions of the CRO at its next formal meeting (6 June).  
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  JOB/RO/9  
 
- 2 - NEXT STEPS PROPOSED BY THE 
CHAIRPERSON OF THE CTG1 COMMENTS CONCERNING THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF 
THE CRO  COMMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CRO  
1. Assistance to capital -based and Geneva -based officials  
a) Organize regular introductory 
sessions on past work done in the 
Committee and updates on current 
work The CRO has occasionally held sessions describing the 
objectives of the Agreement and its work in the past (see for 
instance the session on the Harmonization Work Programme  
held in October  2022)  I propose that the Secretariat organize periodic introductory sessions 
about the use of rules of origin in international trade, the related WTO 
legal instruments and update on the different pillars of work of the 
CRO. 
b) Develop a manual describing the 
functioning of the CRO  The Rules of Origin webpage of the WTO website contains a 
description of the work of the CRO but such a manual does not 
exist currently.  I propose that the Secretariat prepare a manual describing the main 
proced ural and substantive aspects of the work of the CRO . 
2. Planning and organization of meetings  
a) Enhance planning of meetings  Currently, the dates of the next 2 formal meetings are 
announced. Seldom have there been changes to these dates  Discussions in the CTG seem to cover WTO -wide issues related to the 
preparation of an annual calendar of meetings, dates for closing of the 
agenda and avoiding changes of dates. I do not think that any specific 
follow up is needed at the level of the CRO a t this point.  
b) Introduce an automated alert 
system to the WTO calendar of 
meetings  No alert exists at the moment.  Discussions in the CTG seem to cover WTO -wide issues. I do not think 
that any specific follow up is needed at the level of the CRO at this 
point. 
c) Cluster related meetings to increase 
value for capital -based attendance  There have been discussions in the past about clustering 
meetings of the CRO and those of the Technical Committee on 
Rules of Origin at the World Customs Organization in Brussels. 
At the time, clustering was not possible.  
There is, however, good coordinat ion between both Secretariats 
to ensure reporting of work in the two bodies.  Members may wish to identify possible synergies between the CRO 
and other WTO bodies and share their views on whether clustered 
meetings should be recommended in the case of the C RO. 
d) Dedicated cross -cutting and joint 
sessions of two or more bodies  Joint sessions have been organized in the past when the need 
arose (during the negotiations for the harmonization of non -
preferential rules of origin).  Joint sessions can be organized if  and when the need arises. Members 
may wish to identify possible synergies between the CRO and other 
WTO bodies and share their views on whether joint meetings should 
be recommended in the case of the CRO.  
3. Work Procedures    
 
1 The list of items in this table reproduces the next steps proposed by the Chairperson of the Council for Trade in Goods follo wing the informal meeting of the Council held on 
31 March 2023.   
  JOB/RO/9  
 
- 3 - NEXT STEPS PROPOSED BY THE 
CHAIRPERSON OF THE CTG1 COMMENTS CONCERNING THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF 
THE CRO  COMMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CRO  
a) Improvements to the agenda (order 
in which specific trade concerns are 
listed)  Members could of course raise relevant trade concerns of 
interest to them in the CRO. However, this has rarely been the 
case. Since trade concerns appear rarely in our agenda, I do not think that 
any specific follow up is needed at the level of the CRO at this point.  
However, Members may wish to discuss possible recommendations in 
this area for the CRO.  
b) Introduction of an annotated 
agenda (document providing 
background information about the 
issues that will be discussed at a 
meeting)  An annotated agenda is currently not systematically circulated 
before meetings of the CRO.  I propose that the Secretariat circulat e an annotated agenda ahead of 
formal meetings of the CRO. The document could describe each 
agenda item and provide relevant background to help the preparation 
by delegations.  
c) Improve the effectiveness of 
discussions concerning specific 
trade concerns  See point 3(a) above  As noted above, since trade concerns appear rarely in our agenda, I 
do not think that any specific follow up is needed at the level of the 
CRO at this point.  However, Members may wish to discuss possible 
recommendations in this area for th e CRO.  
d) Improvements to the preparation of 
minutes of formal meetings  Minutes of formal meetings of the CRO have been prepared as 
summaries and not as a verbatim transcript of meetings. On 
average it has taken the Secretariat 55 days to publish the 
minutes  (2020 -2022).  I note that this might be a WTO -wide recommendation.  However,  
Members may want to reflect and share their views on the format of 
the minutes of the CRO and discuss any possible recommendations in 
this area.  
e) Circulation of oral reports by the 
Chairperson and the Secretariat 
shortly after (informal) meetings  Presentations made by the Secretariat have been circulated as 
room documents (RD/RO/ series) but statements or reports by 
the Chairperson are usually not circulated. During the 
harmoniza tion work programme, more substantive reports by 
the Chairperson have been circulated in writing (see for 
instance JOB/RO/1 ). I note that nothing prevents the Chairperson from circulating in 
writing a report or statement when this can be useful or when it is 
requested by delegations. I also note that this might be a WTO -wide 
recommendation and the introduction of eAgenda could address this 
point. I propose that the Secretariat circulate any relevant report  or 
statement .  
f) Availability of documents and 
presentations in the 3 WTO 
languages before consideration  Documents referenced in the agenda are usually always 
available when the airgram is c irculated (although this has not 
been the case occasionally). Translations might, however, not 
be available due to resource constraints. Any presentations 
made during the meeting (by the Secretariat or by delegations) 
are usually circulated as room documen ts (RD/RO/ series) after 
the meeting.  I note that documents to be considered are usually always made 
available at the same time as the agenda (airgram). It has also been 
noted in the Committee that the late circulation of documents makes  
it difficult for d elegations to consider and react to them. I encourage 
delegations to submit their submissions well in advance to allow for 
adequate preparation. Members may wish to discuss possible 
recommendations in this area for the CRO.  
g) Include hyperlinks to documents  
and references cited in documents  In the past few years, the Secretariat has started using 
hyperlinks  to reference documents cited in the minutes.  This 
practice can be easily extended to all other documents 
circulated.  I propose that the Secretariat systematically hyperlink the documents 
cited in airgram s, reports and any other documents circulated  to 
Members .  
  JOB/RO/9  
 
- 4 - NEXT STEPS PROPOSED BY THE 
CHAIRPERSON OF THE CTG1 COMMENTS CONCERNING THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF 
THE CRO  COMMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CRO  
h) Procedures for the organization of 
informal meetings  The CRO frequently held informal meetings during the work 
programme for the harmonization on n on-preferential rules of 
origin. Such meetings are much less common nowadays but can 
be organized as needed. The organization and conduct of 
informal meetings do not follow the same rules of procedures as 
formal meetings.  I note that discussions of this item in the CTG seem to cover WTO -
wide concerns. I do not think that any specific follow up is needed at 
the level of the CRO at this point.  However, Members may wish to 
discuss possible recommendations in this area for the CRO.  
i) Summaries of informal  meetings  In the past, the Secretariat has prepared summaries of 
information sessions, experience -sharing sessions or informal 
committee meetings as needed.  This is a practice that is already implemented in the CRO when 
relevant. However, Members may wish  to discuss possible additional 
recommendations for the CRO.  
j) Organization of thematic or 
experience -sharing sessions  Several information or educational sessions or experience -
sharing sessions have been organized as part of CRO meetings 
or back -to-back wit h CRO meetings. A non -exhaustive list of 
such events is available in the events section of the Rules of 
Origin webpage  of the WTO website.  This is a practice that has already been implemented in the CRO  for 
several years . However, Members may wish to discuss possible 
additional recommendations regarding the periodicity, the topics, or 
the format of these sessions of the CRO.  
k) Compilation of best practices 
implemente d by some committees  At the request of the Chairperson of the CTG, a report 
describing the practices and the functioning of the CRO was 
prepared in November 2022 (document G/L/1465  
G/RO/W/217  and Corr.1 ) I note that this recommenda tion concerns the work of the CTG and is 
not relevant for subsidiary bodies. As a result, I do not think that any 
specific follow up is needed at the level of the CRO at this point.  
4. Use of digital tools    
a) implementation of an eAgenda  An eAgenda is cur rently not used to manage meetings of the 
CRO. This platform has proved useful to manage the 
organization of meetings of certain bodies in the WTO, 
particularly meetings involving several specific trade concerns 
or statements by delegations. It could be im plemented in the 
context of the CRO if delegations wish to align practices across 
WTO bodies.  At our next formal meeting, I would welcome Members ' views on th e 
implementation of the eAgenda in the context the CRO .  
b) Keep the hybrid format of meetings 
to facilitate the participation of 
capital -based officials  Meetings of the CRO have been conducted in -person and 
virtually since 2020.  I propose that the Secretariat keep the hybrid format of meetings 
unless there is a WTO -wide decision to the contrary.   
  JOB/RO/9  
 
- 5 - NEXT STEPS PROPOSED BY THE 
CHAIRPERSON OF THE CTG1 COMMENTS CONCERNING THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF 
THE CRO  COMMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CRO  
c) eRegistration (including the 
registration of capital -based 
officials)  Geneva -based delegations are currently encouraged to use the 
WTO eRegistration platform to keep up to date  with information 
and documents concerning the CRO.  Improvements bein g discussed at the CTG would have benefits across 
WTO bodies and might not need discussion s at the level of the CRO. 
However, Members may wish to discuss possible additional or specific 
recommendations for the CRO.  
d) Adoption of the trade concerns 
database  As noted above, the CRO has not had to deal with many specific 
trade concerns so far.  This system could also be used to record specific trade concerns that 
may be raised at the CRO if delegations wish to align practices across 
WTO bodies. At our n ext formal meeting, I would welcome Members' 
views on the use of this database in the context the CRO.  
e) Notifications portal  The WTO Notifications Portal  provides information about 
notification requirements and how to prepare and submit 
notifications, including related to rules of origin. It also provides 
the status of notifications received or outstanding for each 
Member.  This platform is already in plac e and already covers notifications 
related to rules of origin. However, Members may wish to discuss 
possible additional or specific recommendations for the CRO.  
f) Online notifications  It is currently not possible to submit notifications related to 
rules of origin online.  I note that discussions of this item in the CTG seem to cover WTO -
wide concerns  and no specific follow up might be needed at the level 
of the CRO at this point.  However, Members may wish to discuss 
possible additional or specific recommendat ions for the CRO.  
g) Improvements to the WTO website 
(search function, standardize the 
format of webpages, allow for 
greater personalization, etc.)  Information about rules of origin (both preferential and non -
preferential) is available through a dedicated webpage of the 
WTO website . The Webpage was entirely updated and 
revamped in 2022 and was conceived to be a single stop for all 
matters related to rules of origin (work of the Committee, 
notifications, events, the Origin Facilitator database, etc.).  I note that discussions of this item in the CTG seem to cover WTO -
wide concerns  and no specific follow up might be needed at the level 
of the CRO at this point. However, Members may wish to discu ss 
possible additional or specific recommendations for the CRO.  
h) Overview of WTO digital tools 
(regular sessions)  - I note that this item concerns the work of the CTG and not the work of 
the CRO. As a result, I do not think that any specific follow up is 
needed at the level of the CRO at this point.  
i) Development of apps for mobile 
phones  - I note that discussions of this item in the CTG seem to cover WTO -
wide recommendations and no specific follow up might be needed at 
the level of the CRO at this point. H owever, Members may wish to 
discuss possible additional or specific recommendations for the CRO.  
 
 
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