G/RO/88  
 
19 October 2018  
(18-6539) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Rules of Origin    
 
TWENTY FOURTH  ANNUAL REVIEW OF TH E IMPLEMENTATION AND  
OPERATION OF THE AGR EEMENT ON RULES OF O RIGIN  
BACKGROUND NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1. Article 6.1 of the Agreement on Rules of Origin provides that "the Committee shall review 
annually the implementation and operation of Part s II and III of this Agreement having regard to its 
objectives".  The outcome of such a review will be incorporated to the Committee's Annual report  to 
the Council for Trade in Goods on the implementation and operati on of the Agreement on Rules of 
Origin. This  background note was prepared  by the Secretariat to assist Members in conducting the 
24th annual review of the implementation and operation of the Agreement.  
2  MEMBERS AND OBSERVER S OF THE COMMITTEE ON  RULES OF ORI GIN 
2.1. Government representatives of all WTO Members and Observers are also Members and 
Observers to the CRO. In addition, the following international organizations also have observer 
status at the CRO: ACP, EFTA, IADB, IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, WCO and World B ank. 
3  RULES OF PROCEDURE O F THE COMMITTEE ON R ULES OF ORIGIN  
3.1. The rules of procedure for meetings of the Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) were adopted 
by the Committee in February 1997 (G/L/149  and WT/L/161 ). 
4  OFFICERS OF THE COMM ITTEE ON RULES OF OR IGIN 
4.1. Mrs Thembekile MLANGENI  (South Africa) was elected Chairperson of the Committee in 
April 2018. 
5  MEETINGS OF THE COMM ITTEE ON RULES OF OR IGIN  
5.1. The Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) held two formal meetings in 201 8:  on 19 April and 
on 15 and 16 October .  The minutes of these meetings are contained in documents G/RO/M/ 70 and 
[G/RO/M/71]  respectively.  In addition, the Committee held an information session on "certificates 
of origin and other proofs of origin" on 18 April ( G/RO/W/175 ) and on "trans parency and notification 
gaps" on 16 October . In addition, some Members also held s everal  informal consultations during the 
year to discuss ways to enhance transparency and notifications on rules of origin . 
6  NOTIFICATIONS  UNDER ART ICLE 5 (NON -PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN)  
6.1. The CRO took note of new notifications under Article 5. Based on  notifications received by the 
Secretariat to date: 4 9 Members apply non-preferential rules of origin (counting the EU and its 
member states as  one); 5 7 Members do not app ly any non -preferential rules of origin . The remaining 
31 Members have not yet submitted any notification under Article 5 (about half of which are least 
developed countries). The full list of notifications related to non -preferential rules of origin is 
contained in Annex 1.  In addition, all notifications received (and the related legislation  or references , 
                                                
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  G/RO/88  
 
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  if available), can be accessed through the section "Notifications" of the Rules of Origin webpage of 
the WTO website ( https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/roi_e/roi_e.htm ).  
7  NOTIFICATIONS  UNDER ANNEX II (PRE FERENTIAL RULES OF O RIGIN)  
7.1 As agreed by the Committee (G/RO/M/59), notifications made to the Committee on Regional 
Trade Agreements (CRTA) or to the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) are deemed to 
discharge Members' notification obligations under the Agreement on Rules of Origin.  The Committee 
therefore agreed that notifications which had initially been received by t he CRTA or the CTD should 
be circulated by the Secretariat to the CRO. The information regarding such notifications, including 
related to preferential rules of origin, can, in addition, be retrieved through the WTO database of 
regional trade agreements ( http://rtais.wto.org ) or in the WTO database of preferential trade 
agreements ( http://ptadb.wto.org ). 
7.2. In addition, it should be noted that the Committee adopted a specific templat e for notifications 
of preferential rules of origin applied to least -developed countries in the context of non -reciprocal 
preferences (G/RO/84). All WTO preference -granting Members agreed to submit detailed information 
about their preferential rules of ori gin using the template. T o date, 16 preference -granting Members 
submitted such notifications. These were circulated under the G/RO/LDC/N/ document series.  A full 
overview of these notifications is available in document G/RO/W/163/Rev.4.  
8  WORK OF THE COMMITT EE RELATED TO PARTS I, II AND III OF THE  AGREEMENT  
8.1. Part II of the Agreement relate s to the multilateral disciplines which govern the utilization of 
non-preferential rules of origin by WTO Members. That is, it covers the transitional disciplines 
pendin g the adoption of harmonized rules (Article 2) and the disciplines once harmonized rules of 
origin have been adopted (Article 3).  As was noted in the Committee's 2013 Annual Report to the 
CTG (G/L/1047), the implementation and operation of the Agreement i s not satisfactory as the 
stalemate in the Harmonization Work Programme (HWP ) compromises the attainment of the core 
objectives of the Agreement (i.e. the facilitation of global trade through the international 
harmonization of non -preferential rules of ori gin). 
8.2. In the period of this annual review , the Committee did not consider any item specifically 
related to the HWP.  
8.3. The results of the HWP are contained in document G/RO/W/111/Rev.6 (in HS96). As mandated 
by the CRO, these draft rules have been "transposed" to reflect more recent versions of the 
Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature  (2002,  2007 and 2012). The transposed rules are contained 
in document JOB/RO/5/Rev.1 and JOB/RO/5/Rev.1/Corr.1. Members validated the accuracy of the se 
(draft) transpos ed rules in 2016  and have not considered them again in 2017. The Secretariat has 
not received additional comments or rectifications to these rules . With the 2017 version of the HS 
nomenclature, a new transposition exercise may  have to be considered.  
8.4. In addition,  Article 6 of the Agreement, require Members to "review the provisions [of the 
Agreement] and propose amendments as necessary to reflect the results of the HWP ". 
Under  paragraph 6, the annual review should also cover the operation of the "discip lines during the 
transition period" ( Article 2 of the Agreement). Given the lack of internationally agreed non -
preferential rules of origin, no Member has raised any issues regarding the implementation of these 
provisions . 
8.5. Pending the continuation of the H WP, the Committee agreed , in 2015,  to engage in an 
"educational exercise"  to exchange information about non -preferential rules of origin and better 
understand the impact that existing rules have on international trade . In 2018, two such "information 
sessions" were organized . First, on "certificates of origin and other proofs of origin" (a summary of 
the session is available in document G/RO/W/ 175). Second, on "transparency and notification gaps"  
(a summary will also be prepared) . Additional sessions ma y be organized in the future depending 
on Members' needs.  
9  AMENDMENTS, INTERPRE TATIONS AND RECTIFIC ATIONS TO THE AGREEM ENT 
9.1. During the year under review the Committee has not dealt with any of these matters.  G/RO/88  
 
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  10  CONSULTATION AND DIS PUTE SETTLEMENT  
10.1. The Secretariat is not aware of any Member that has requested consultations under Article 7 
of the Agreement  on Rules of Origin .  Similarly, there are currently no disputes with respect to the 
Agreement on Rules of Origin ( Article 8 ). 
11  OTHER AREAS OF WORK OF THE CRO  
11.1. It should be noted that, in 2018, the CRO continued to work  extensively on other areas which 
are not covered by the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin, namely preferential rules of origin 
applicable to LDCs under non -reciprocal preferential trad e arrangements (PTA). This is a result of 
the implementation of the 2013 and 2015 Ministerial Decisions on preferential rules of origin for 
LDCs (WT/L/917 and WT/L/917/Add.1 respectively). According to the requirements of these 
Decisions, a separate report  on their implementation is prepared and sent to the General Council.  
12  REPORT TO THE COUNCI L FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
12.1. During its meeting o f 15 and 16 October 201 8, the CRO adopted its annual report to the CTG 
G/RO/W/ 177. G/RO/88  
 
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  ANNEX 1  
A. Members that currently implement n on-preferential rules of origin  
Member  APPLY NON -PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN  Date  
1. Afghanistan  G/RO/N/143  05.08.2016  
2. Albania  G/RO/N/47  06.07.2005  
G/RO/N/53  18.09.2007  
3. Argentina  G/RO/N/2  22.06.1995  
G/RO/N/10  16.08.1996  
G/RO/N/16  05.03.1997  
4. Armenia  G/RO/N/41  21.08.2003  
5. Australia  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
6. Brazil  G/RO/N/14  02.12.1996  
G/RO/N/78  16.04.2012  
7. Burkina Faso  G/RO/N/19  23.01.1998  
8. Canada  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
9. China  G/RO/N/37  
G/RO/N/37/Rev.1  
G/RO/N/132  03.06.2002  
02.08.2002  
07.09.2015  
10. Colombia  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
G/RO/N/172  05.07.2018  
11. Cuba G/RO/N/3  27.07.1995  
G/RO/N/125  13.01.2015  
12. European Union1 G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
13. Georgia  G/RO/N/37  
G/RO/N/37/Rev.1  03.06.2002  
02.08.2002  
14. Hong Kong, China  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
G/RO/N/10  16.08.1996  
G/RO/N/24  15.01.1999  
G/RO/N/30  21.11.2000  
G/RO/N/37  
G/RO/N/37/Rev.1  03.06.2002  
02.08.2002  
G/RO/N/46  15.02.2005  
G/RO/N/59  23.09.2008  
G/RO/N/67  02.12.2010  
G/RO/N/73  15.09.2011  
G/RO/N/86  01.10.2012  
15. Japan  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
16. Jordan  G/RO/N/30  21.11.2000  
17. Kazakhstan  G/RO/N/148  
G/RO/N/148/Rev.1  12.09.2016  
27.10.2016  
18. Korea, Rep. of  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
G/RO/N/63  18.09.2009  
19. Lao People's De m. Rep. G/RO/N/96  24.07.2013  
20. Lesotho  G/RO/N/56  27.05.2008  
21. Liechtenstein  G/RO/N/60/Rev.1  08.04.2009  
22. Madagascar  G/RO/N/11  10.09.1996  
23. Mexico  G/RO/N/12  01.10.1996  
24. Moldova, Rep. of  G/RO/N/36  12.03.2002  
G/RO/N/110  14.02.2014  
G/RO/N/110/Add.1  10.10.2014  
25. Mongolia  G/RO/N/164  03.04.2018  
26. Montenegro  G/RO/N/126  20.02.2015  
                                                
1 All notifications received from countries prior to joining the EU do not app ear in the table . 
 G/RO/88  
 
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  Member  APPLY NON -PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN  Date  
27. Morocco  G/RO/N/2  22.06.1995  
28. New Zealand  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
29. Niger  G/RO/N/19  23.01.1998  
30. Norway  G/RO/N/8  05.03.1996  
G/RO/N/62  26.05.2009  
G/RO/N/149  22.09.2016  
31. Peru G/RO/N/4  07.08.1995  
G/RO/N/5  01.11.1995  
G/RO/N/49  02.03.2007  
G/RO/N/50  10.05.2007  
G/RO/N/52  01.06.2007  
G/RO/N/77  12.03.2012  
32. Qatar  G/RO/N/25  13.04.1999  
33. Russian Fed eration  G/RO/N/84  
G/RO/N/84/Corr.1  27.09.2012  
13.12.2012  
34. Rwanda  G/RO/N/75  24.02.2012  
35. Senegal  G/RO/N/10  16.08.1996  
36. Seychelles  G/RO/N/141  02.05.2016  
37. South Africa  G/RO/N/3  27.07.1995  
38. Suriname  G/RO/N/24  15.01.1999  
G/RO/N/43  15.03.2004  
39. Switzerland  G/RO/N/4  07.08.1995  
G/RO/N/60  
G/RO/N/60/Rev.1  26.01.2009  
08.04.2009  
40. Chinese Taipei  G/RO/N/37  
G/RO/N/37/Rev.1  03.06.2002  
02.08.2002  
41. The F.Y. Rep. of Macedonia  G/RO/N/45  09.11.2004  
42. Togo G/RO/N/70  16.06.2011  
43. Tunisia  G/RO/N/7  12.02.1996  
G/RO/N/61  19.02.2009  
44. Turkey  G/RO/N/8  05.03.1996  
G/RO/N/28  30.05.2000  
45. Ukraine  G/RO/N/57  07.07.2008  
G/RO/N/81  10.08.2012  
46. United States  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
G/RO/N/6  19.12.1995  
G/RO/N/12  01.10.1996  
47. Venezuela, Bolivarian Rep. of  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
G/RO/N/10  16.08.1996  
G/RO/N/14  02.12.1996  
48. Yemen  G/RO/N/140  08.04.2016  
49. Zimbabwe  G/RO/N/80  18.07.2012  
 
B. Members that do NOT implement non -preferential rules of origin  
Member  DO NOT APPLY NON-PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN  Date 
1. Belize  G/RO/N/147  01.09.2016  
2. Benin  G/RO/N/150  10.11.2016  
3. Bolivia, Plurinational State of  G/RO/N/9  19.04.1996  
4. Brunei Darussalam  G/RO/N/5  01.11.1995  
5. Burundi  G/RO/N/33  02.05.2001  
6. Cameroon  G/RO/N/99  22.08.2013  
7. Chad G/RO/N/22  16.09.1998  
8. Chile G/RO/N/6  19.12.1995  
9. Congo  G/RO/N/118  18.09.2014  
10. Costa Rica  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
11. Côte d'Ivoire  G/NO/N/117  25.08.2014  G/RO/88  
 
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  Member  DO NOT APPLY NON-PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN  Date 
12. Dominica  G/RO/N/24  15.01.1999  
13. Dominican Republic  G/RO/N/9  19.04.1996  
14. El Salvador  G/RO/N/10  16.08.1996  
15. Eswatini  G/RO/N/128  24.04.2015  
16. Fiji G/RO/N/17  10.04.1997  
17. The Gambia  G/RO/N/109  31.01.2014  
18. Ghana  G/RO/N/44  06.05.2004  
19. Guatemala  G/RO/N/21  20.07.1998  
20. Guyana  G/RO/N/42  
G/RO/N/42/Rev.1  10.12.2003  
12.09.2016  
21. Haiti G/RO/N/20/  
G/RO/N/20/Rev.1  14.05.1998  
27.07 1998  
22. Honduras  G/RO/N/3  27.07.1995  
23. Iceland  G/RO/N/5  01.11.1995  
24. India G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
25. Indonesia  G/RO/N/16  05.03.1997  
26. Israel  G/RO/N/13  19.11.1996  
G/RO/N/163  15.02.2018  
27. Jamaica  G/RO/N/4  07.08.1995  
28. Kenya  G/RO/N/9  19.04.1996  
29. Kuwait, the State of  G/RO/N/100  19.09.2013  
30. Liberia  G/RO/N/173  05.07.2018  
31. Macao, China  G/RO/N/21  20.07.1998  
32. Malawi  G/RO/N/129  04.06.2015  
33. Malaysia  G/RO/N/6  19.12.1995  
34. Maldives  G/RO/N/22  16.09.1998  
35. Mali G/RO/N/116  
G/RO/N/146  11.07.2014  
12.09.2016  
36. Mauritius  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
37. Mongolia  G/RO/N/20/  
G/RO/N/20/Rev.1  14.05.1998  
27.07 1998  
38. Myanmar  G/RO/N/151  23.05.2017 
39. Namibia  G/RO/N/26  02.09.1999  
40. Nepal  G/RO/N/165  03.04.2018  
41. Nicaragua  G/RO/N/10  16.08.1996  
42. Oman  G/RO/N/32  30.04.2001  
43. Pakistan  G/RO/N/16  05.03.1997  
44. Panama  G/RO/N/23  05.10.1998  
45. Papua New Guinea  G/RO/N/32  30.04.2001  
46. Paraguay  G/RO/N/21  20.07.1998  
47. Philippines  G/RO/N/6  19.12.1995  
48. Samoa  G/RO/N/97  02.08.2013  
49. Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  G/RO/N/48  08.11.2006  
50. Singapore  G/RO/N/3  27.07.1995  
51. Thailand  G/RO/N/1  
G/RO/N/1/Add.1  09.05.1995  
22.06.1995  
52. Trinidad and Tobago  G/RO/N/7  12.02.1996  
53. Uganda  G/RO/N/13  19.01.1996  
54. United Arab Emirates  G/RO/N/13  19.11.1996  
G/RO/N/17  10.04.1997  
55. Uruguay  G/RO/N/12  01.10.1996  
56. Viet Nam G/RO/N/68  22.02.2011  
G/RO/N/79  01.06.2012  
57. Zambia  G/RO/N/142  17.06.2016  
 
  G/RO/88  
 
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  C. Members that have not yet presented a notification under Article 5 of the  Agreement 
on Rules of Origin  
1. Angola   
2. Antigua and Barbuda   
3. Bahrain, Kingdom of   
4. Bangladesh   
5. Barbados   
6. Botswana   
7. Cabo Verde  
8. Cambodia  
9. Central African Republic  
10. Democratic Republic of 
the Congo  
 11. Djibouti  
12. Ecuador  
13. Egypt  
14. Gabon  
15. Grenada  
16. Guinea  
17. Guinea Bissau  
18. Kyrgyz  Republic  
19. Mauritania  
20. Mozambique  
21. Nigeria  
 22. Saint Kitts and Nevis  
23. Saint Lucia  
24. Saint Vincent and the  
Grenadines  
25. Sierra Leone  
26. Solomon Islands  
27. Sri Lanka  
28. Tajikistan  
29. Tanzania  
30. Tonga  
31. Vanuatu  
 
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