WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/INF/176 
29 August 2011  
 
(11-4246) 
  
  
 
WTO ACCESS BADGES  
 
Note by the Secretariat 
  
1. As part of ongoing work to further improve security on the WTO premises, the Secretariat is 
reinforcing its registration and access control by pu tting in place a clear and simplified procedure for 
WTO Members, Observer Governments and Interna tional Intergovernmental Organizations with 
Observer status to WTO bodies.  Delegations are kindly requested to note the information below. 
2. From 1 September 2011 , all newly-issued badges will bear an expiry date.  From 
1 February 2012 , access will be refused to any person in possession of a badge which bears no 
expiry date or which is no longer valid.  In the period between these two dates, all delegates are 
invited to request new badges bearing an expiry da te, following the procedures set out in the Annexes 
to this document. 
3. Detailed instructions for online registration will be sent via e-mail to Delegation Coordinators 
shortly.  
4. For certain types of special event, in partic ular Ministerial Conferences, separate badges will 
be issued and delegations will be informed in a dvance of the procedures fo r these events as necessary. 
 WT/INF/176 
Page 2  
 
  Annex 1 
 
PROCEDURE FOR WTO ACCESS BADGES 
 
WTO Members 
   Delegation Coordinators
1 are the focal point for each Delega tion with regard to the issuance 
of WTO badges, and are responsible for the electro nic registration of all delegation staff along the 
lines of the procedures as set out below.  The Bureau  of Control and Identification (BCI), situated at 
the entry to the Centre William Rappard, is the foca l point within WTO for the issuance of badges, 
and ensures compliance with the procedures (see below for BCI contact details).   It should be noted that for certain types of speci al event, in particular Ministerial Conferences, 
separate badges will be issued and Delegations wi ll be informed in advance of the procedures for 
these events as necessary. 
 
A. P
URPOSE OF THE BADGE  
 All Delegation staff must be in possession of a valid WTO badge in order to gain access to 
the WTO premises.  For delegates, these badges also  facilitate access to meeting rooms and all related 
support facilities (e.g. documentation). 
 
 WTO badges are issued strictly for personal u se and remain WTO property at all times.  They 
must be worn in a visible manner and presented to  authorized WTO staff on request.  The loss of a 
badge must be immediately reported to WTO.  In cas e a representative or delegate has left his or her 
post, the badge must be returned to WTO. 
 
B. TYPES OF BADGE  
 Three types of badge are issued for Member delegation staff, as follows: 
 
Type of badge Population Access 
Head of Delegation 
(HOD) Permanent Representatives No restriction 
Delegate Other representatives2 No restriction 
Mission employee Drivers, other employees, 
administrative staff of mission No access to conference rooms 
 
C. VALIDITY OF BADGES  
 As from 1 September 2011, all badges will bear an expiry date.  From 1 February 2012, 
access will be refused to any person in possession of a badge which bears no expiry date or which is 
no longer valid.  In the period between these two dates, all delega tes are invited to request new badges 
bearing an expiry date, following the procedures set out below. 
                                                      
1 The procedures for nomination of Delegation Coordinators can be found in WT/INF/160. 
2 Deputy Permanent Representatives, other Diplomat ic and non-diplomatic st aff that need access to 
meeting rooms, visiting delegates and interns.  WT/INF/176 
 Page 3 
 
 
   Each type of badge is available in two categories:  a Regular badge with photo and 
long-term validity and a Daily badge.  Both categor ies give the same access rights for each type of 
badge, but Daily badges are only valid for the day on which they are issued.    For Regular badges, validity is as follows: 
 
Type of badge Validity 
HOD 3 years 
Delegate 3 years 
Mission employee 1 year 
 
 Upon expiry, a Regular badge can be renewed by the Delegation Coordinator by using the 
online electronic registration mechanism.   Daily badges are valid only on the day on which they were issued and should be returned to 
BCI at the end of the day concerned. 
 D. P
ROCEDURES3 
 For security purposes, the procedures set out below must be followed in order to obtain a 
WTO badge.  No exceptions will be granted.  1. HOD badge 
 In line with the practice agreed by the General Council in 2001, which is set out in 
document WT/GC/47, Delegations are required to address a note of accreditation of their Permanent Representative (PR) to the Director-General. 
 
 Once formal accreditation has been duly completed,  the PR must be registered electronically 
by the Delegation Coordinator, following which a HOD badge will be made available at the BCI. 
 
2. Regular Delegate badge 
 All delegates must first be registered el ectronically by their Delegation Coordinator, 
following which they can obtain their badge from the BCI upon presentation of a valid ID. 
 
3. Daily Delegate badge 
 To obtain a daily badge, delegates should follow one of the following procedures: 
 
(a) If already registered electronically by the Delegation Coordinator, go directly to the 
BCI to obtain a badge, in exchange for a valid ID; 
(b) ensure that an official communication c oncerning their need to access WTO has been 
sent to the BCI by their Delegation or a governmental authority, then go directly to the BCI to obtain a badge in exchange for a valid ID;  or 
                                                      
3 Delegation Coordinators will receive via e-mail de tailed instructions on how to conduct registrations 
electronically. WT/INF/176 
Page 4  
 
  (c) if in possession of a Diplomatic passport, Official passport
4 or Swiss carte de 
legitimation , go directly to the BCI to obtain a badge in exchange for a valid ID. 
4. Mission employee badge 
 All mission employees must first be registered electronically by their Delegation Coordinator, 
following which they can obtain their badge from the BCI upon presentation of a valid ID. 
 
5. Visitor badge 
 A general visitor badge is also available to delegations wishing to bring a person with them 
onto the WTO premises to attend private meetings. Such badges can be requested via a written communication to the BCI.  Visitors should then ob tain their badge at the BCI in exchange for a 
valid ID.  Upon their arrival at the BCI, visitors mu st be taken in charge a nd accompanied during their 
presence on WTO premises by a member of the Delegation in possession of a Regular badge.  The badge should be returned to the BCI at the end of the visit.   All questions pertaining to the a bove procedures should be addressed to: 
 
Bureau of Control and Identification (BCI) 
Security and Safety Section 
 
Tel.: +41 22 739 5958 / 6117 
Fax:  +41 22 739 6111 
E-mail:  BCI@wto.org  
 
_______________ 
 
                                                      
4 Official passport (Service pass port or Special passport) issued  to persons representing their 
Government on official business.  WT/INF/176 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Annex 2 
 
PROCEDURE FOR WTO ACCESS BADGES 
 
WTO Observer Governments 
   Delegation Coordinators
5 are the focal point for each Delega tion with regard to the issuance 
of WTO badges, and are responsible for the electro nic registration of all delegation staff along the 
lines of the procedures as set out below.  The Bureau  of Control and Identification (BCI), situated at 
the entry to the Centre William Rappard, is the foca l point within WTO for the issuance of badges, 
and ensures compliance with the procedures (see below for BCI contact details).   It should be noted that for certain types of speci al event, in particular Ministerial Conferences, 
separate badges will be issued and Delegations wi ll be informed in advance of the procedures for 
these events as necessary. 
 
A. P
URPOSE OF THE BADGE  
 All Delegation staff must be in possession of a valid WTO badge in order to gain access to 
the WTO premises.  For delegates, these badges also  facilitate access to meeting rooms and all related 
support facilities (e.g. documentation). 
 
 WTO badges are issued strictly for personal u se and remain WTO property at all times.  They 
must be worn in a visible manner and presented to  authorized WTO staff on request.  The loss of a 
badge must be immediately reported to WTO.  In cas e a representative or delegate has left his or her 
post, the badge must be returned to WTO. 
 
B. TYPES OF BADGE  
Two types of badge are issued for Observe r Government delegation staff, as follows: 
 
Type of badge Population Access 
Delegate Permanent and other representatives6 No restriction 
Mission employees Drivers, other employees, 
administrative staff of mission No access to conference rooms 
 
C. VALIDITY OF BADGES  
 As from 1 September 2011, all badges will bear an expiry date.  From 1 February 2012, 
access will be refused to any person in possession of a badge which bears no expiry date or which is 
no longer valid.  In the period between these two dates, all delega tes are invited to request new badges 
bearing an expiry date, following the procedures set out below.   
                                                      
5 The procedures for nomination of Delegation Coordinators can be found in WT/INF/160. 
6 Deputy Permanent Representatives, other Diplomat ic and non-diplomatic st aff that need access to 
meeting rooms, visiting delegates and interns. WT/INF/176 
Page 6  
 
   Each type of badge is available in two categories:  a Regular badge with photo and 
long-term validity and a Daily badge.  Both categor ies give the same access rights for each type of 
badge, but Daily badges are only valid for the day on which they are issued.    For Regular badges, validity is as follows: 
 
Type of badge Validity 
Delegate 3 years 
Mission employees 1 year 
 
 Upon expiry, a Regular badge can be renewed by the Delegation Coordinator by using the 
online electronic registration mechanism.   Daily badges are valid only on the day on which they were issued and should be returned to 
BCI at the end of the day concerned. 
 
D. P
ROCEDURES7 
 For security purposes, the procedures set out below must be followed in order to obtain a 
WTO badge.  No exceptions will be granted. 
 
1. Regular Delegate badge 
All delegates must first be registered elec tronically by their Delegation Coordinator, 
following which they can obtain their badge from the BCI upon presentation of a valid ID.  
2. Daily Delegate badge 
 To obtain a daily badge, delegates should follow one of the following procedures: 
 
(a) If already registered electronically by the Delegation Coordinator, go directly to the 
BCI to obtain a badge, in exchange for a valid ID; 
(b) ensure that an official communication c oncerning their need to access WTO has been 
sent to the BCI by their Delegation or a governmental authority, then go directly to the BCI to obtain a badge in exchange for a valid ID;  or 
(c) if in possession of a Diplomatic passport, Official passport
8 or Swiss carte de 
legitimation , go directly to the BCI to obtain a badge in exchange for a valid ID. 
3. Mission employee badge 
 All mission employees must first be registered electronically by their Delegation Coordinator, 
following which they can obtain their badge from the BCI upon presentation of a valid ID. 
 
                                                      
7 Delegation Coordinators will receive via e-mail de tailed instructions on how to conduct registrations 
electronically. 
8 Official passport (Service pass port or Special passport) issued  to persons representing their 
Government on official business.  WT/INF/176 
 Page 7 
 
 
  4. Visitor badge 
A general visitor badge is also available to de legations wishing to bring a person with them 
onto the WTO premises to attend private meetings. Such badges can be requested via a written communication to the BCI.  Visitors should then ob tain their badge at the BCI in exchange for a 
valid ID.  Upon their arrival at the BCI, visitors mu st be taken in charge a nd accompanied during their 
presence on WTO premises by a member of the Delegation in possession of a Regular badge.  The 
badge should be returned to the BCI at the end of the visit.  
All questions pertaining to the above  procedures should be addressed to: 
 
Bureau of Control and Identification (BCI) 
Security and Safety Section 
 
Tel.:  +41 22 739 5958 / 6117 
Fax:  +41 22 739 6111 
E-mail:  BCI@wto.org  
 
_______________ 
 WT/INF/176 
Page 8  
 
  Annex 3 
 
PROCEDURE FOR WTO ACCESS BADGES 
 
International Intergovern mental Organizations  
Granted Observer Status to WTO Bodies  
 
  Delegation Coordinators
9 are the focal point for each International Intergovernmental 
Organization (IGO) with regard to the issuance of WTO badges, and are responsible for the electronic 
registration of all delegation staff along the lines of the procedures as set out below.  The Bureau of 
Control and Identification (BCI), situated at the entry to the Centre William Rappard, is the 
focal point within WTO for the issuance of badg es, and ensures compliance with the procedures (see 
below for BCI contact details).  
 It should be noted that for certain types of speci al event, in particular Ministerial Conferences, 
separate badges will be issued and Delegations wi ll be informed in advance of the procedures for 
these events as necessary.  
A. P
URPOSE OF THE BADGE  
 All IGO staff must be in possession of a valid WTO badge in order to gain access to the 
WTO premises.  For delegates, these badges also f acilitate access to meeting rooms and all related 
support facilities (e.g. documentation).   WTO badges are issued strictly for personal u se and remain WTO property at all times.  They 
must be worn in a visible manner and presented to  authorized WTO staff on request.  The loss of a 
badge must be immediately reported to WTO.  In cas e a representative or delegate has left his or her 
post, the badge must be returned to WTO.   
B. T
YPES OF BADGE  
 Two types of badge are issued for Observer IGO delegation staff, as follows: 
 
Type of badge Population Access 
Delegate Representatives10 Formal meetings of 
WTO bodies to which 
Observer status is granted  
IGO Secretariat 
employees Other employees, 
administrative staff of IGO No access to conference rooms 
 
                                                      
9 The procedures for nomination of Delegation Coordinators can be found in WT/INF/160. 
10 Head of Delegation or Office, Diplomatic and non-diplomatic st aff that need access to meeting 
rooms, visiting delegates and interns.  WT/INF/176 
 Page 9 
 
 
  C. VALIDITY OF BADGES  
 As from 1 September 2011, all badges will bear an expiry date.  From 1 February 2012, 
access will be refused to any person in possession of a badge which bears no expiry date or which is 
no longer valid.  In the period between these two dates, all delega tes are invited to request new badges 
bearing an expiry date, following the procedures set out below.  
 
 Each type of badge is available in two categories:  a Regular badge with photo and 
long-term validity and a Daily badge.  Both categor ies give the same access rights for each type of 
badge, but Daily badges are only valid for the day on which they are issued.   
 For Regular badges, validity is as follows: 
 
Type of badge Validity 
Delegate 3 years 
IGO Secretariat employees 1 year 
 
  Upon expiry, a Regular badge can be renewed by the Delegation Coordinator by using the 
online electronic registration mechanism.   Daily badges are valid only on the day on which they were issued and should be returned to 
BCI at the end of the day concerned. 
 D. P
ROCEDURES11 
For security purposes, the procedures set out below must be followed in order to obtain a 
WTO badge.  No exceptions will be granted. 
 
1. Regular Delegate badge 
Only IGOs with a permanent observer status to WTO bodies can request a Regular Delegate 
badge.  Delegates must first be registered electr onically by their Delegation Coordinator, following 
which they can obtain their badge from the BCI upon presentation of a valid ID.   
 
2. Daily Delegate badge 
All IGOs with observer status to WTO bodies12 can request a Daily Delegate badge. 
 
 To obtain a daily badge, delegates should follow one of the following procedures:  
(a) If already registered electronically by the Delegation Coordinator, go directly to the 
BCI to obtain a badge, in exchange for a valid ID; 
                                                      
11 Delegation Coordinators will receive via e-mail deta iled instructions on how to conduct registrations 
electronically. 
12 Permanent or ad hoc. WT/INF/176 
Page 10  
 
  (b) ensure that an official communication c oncerning their need to access WTO has been 
sent to the BCI by their Representative or Head  Office, then go directly to the BCI to 
obtain a badge in exchange for a valid ID;  or 
(c) if in possession of a Diplomatic passport, Official passport
13 or Swiss carte de 
legitimation , go directly to the BCI to obtain a badge in exchange for a valid ID. 
3. IGO Secretariat employee badge 
All IGO employees must first be registered electronically by their Delegation Coordinator, 
following which they can obtain their badge from the BCI upon presentation of a valid ID.  
4. Visitor badge 
A general visitor badge is also available to I GO delegates wishing to bring a person with them 
onto the WTO premises to attend private meetings. Such badges can be requested via a written communication to the BCI.  Visitors should then ob tain their badge at the BCI in exchange for a 
valid ID.  Upon their arrival at the BCI, visitors mu st be taken in charge a nd accompanied during their 
presence on WTO premises by a member of the IGO Delegation in possession of a Regular badge. 
The badge should be returned to the BCI at the end of the visit. 
 All questions pertaining to the above  procedures should be addressed to: 
 
Bureau of Control and Identification (BCI) 
Security and Safety Section 
 
Tel.:  +41 22 739 5958 / 6117 
Fax:  +41 22 739 6111 
E-mail:  BCI@wto.org  
 
__________  
                                                      
13 Official passport (Service passport or Special  passport) issued to persons representing their 
Government on official business.