WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/RO/W/113 
4 March 2008 
 
 (08-0961) 
Committee on Rules of Origin  
  
TECHNICAL ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED IN THE COMMITTEE  
ON RULES OF ORIGIN 
 
Harmonization Work Programme
 
 
Note by the Secretariat  
 
 
 The Secretariat circulates herewith the follo wing comments on technical issues received from 
Members.  
_______________ 
 
Hong Kong, China
 
 1. Please be informed that having reviewed the Chair's proposals (JOB(07)/84/Rev.1) and the 
consolidated text (G/RO/W/111) of those technical issues under Chapters 1-24, my authority confirms 
that Hong Kong, China's position remain the same.  However, we have an open mind to consider any 
proposals raised by the Chair or other Members. 
2. We have re-examined the Chair's proposals on the technical issues and concluded that we 
would maintain our positions on the technical issues re lating to goods in Chapters 28-83 and 91-97 in 
JOB(07)/84/Rev.1. 
Japan
 
 1. Japan’s position on issues in the Final package proposed by the chairperson of the Committee 
on rules of origin (JOB(06)/86/Rev.2) has been cl arified in JOB(06)/86/Rev.2/Add.1 of 19 July 2006. 
2. For example, we support the following drafts 
- "The country of origin of the goods of this  heading shall be the country in which the 
animal was fattened for four or more months  before slaughtering; or the country in 
which the animal was born.” for 02.01 and 02.02", 
- "The country of origin of the goods of this  heading shall be the country in which the 
animal was fattened for two m onths before slaughtering; or the country in which the 
animal was born." for 02.03", 
- "The country of origin of the goods of this  heading shall be the country in which the 
animal was fattened for at least two months;  or the country in which the animal was 
born and raised." for 02.04", and 
- "CC" for ex02.09(a), ex02.09(b), 
On these issues, it remains that Jap an cannot take other options.   G/RO/W/113 
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  3. Having said that, we would like to emphasize that we have accepted Chair’s Final package as 
a whole on the condition that it is ensured that ru les of origin do not prejudice members’ rights and 
obligations in respect of the application of dom estic requirements for food labelling or for sanitary 
and phytosanitary measures". 
4. Our position on Technical issues has also been  described in the document "Summing up of 
the rules of origin consultations" of 25th October 2007. 
 
Morocco
 
1. General Rule 6(c ): we agree that the value of minima l operations is not to be taken into 
account in the context of Appendix 1, nor of Ap pendix 2 product-specific rules which contain the 
term "wholly obtained in one country".    
2.  Definition 2 of Appendix 1 : we are agree with the definitions (a) and (b). 
3. Appendix 2:  we agree with the rule proposed by th e Chairman as a packag e for the issues of 
the package of fish product formed with positions:  ex03.04;  ex03.05(e); ex03.06(d) and ex03.07(d).-  
4. Heading 15.04: w e agree with the rule "CTH, or change by refining." 
Korea  
1. Regarding the outstanding technical issues in  Chapter 1-24, Korea is willing to accept the 
chair’s recommendations with only one reservation for the issue of obtaining preparations with basis 
of extracts, etc. of tea or maté.  Korea still holds th e position that obtaining preparations with basis of 
extracts, etc. of tea or maté should be consider ed as the last substantial transformation because it 
requires not only adding preservatives but also th ermal process such as pasteurization as well as 
deliberate and controlled mixing to satisfy the specification of pH, acidity, sweetness, colour, thickness, turbidity and viscosity.  
2. In connection with  the outstanding technical issues for other goods of Chapters from 28 to 83 
and from 91 to 97, Korea is willing to accept th e chair’s recommendations with the following 
reservations for Textile Produc ts and Musical Instruments. 
A. C
HAPTERS 50-63:   TEXTILE PRODUCTS  
 
Issues for CRO Options Chairman’s 
Recommendation Korea’s Position 
No. 74 
Need for notes to 
Section XI and Chapters 42 
and 43 concerning minor 
processing operations A. Yes 
B. No 
A A 
* During the negotiations on the WTO Harmonized Rules of Origin(HRO) held from October 23 to 
24, 2007, Korea reserved judgment on the adoption of notes to the Chairman’s Text(Chapter 42, 
50-63 – A, Chapter 43 – B) 
 
 
(i) Korea’s Position: Korea has changed its position and now supports the adoption of 
notes to Chapter 43 (furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof) as well as to  G/RO/W/113 
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  Chapter 42 (articles of leather) and Chapters  50 to 63 (textiles, etc.) concerning minor 
processing operations. 
- Korea adopted its current position because th e notes serve to clarify the Rules of 
Origin, stating unambiguously that Korea is not required to determine the origin of 
minor processing operations (cutting1), assembly2) and disassembly, etc.). 
(a) Cutting fabrics, yarns or other materials; or separating goods produced in the finished 
state by cutting along dividing threads. 
(b) Assembling or joining goods by sewing or stitching for convenience of shipment or 
other temporary purposes.   
Issues for CRO Options Chairmen's 
Recommendation Korea's Position 
No. 81 
Production of 
sleeping bags, 
etc. A. Yes (CTH) 
B. No (CTH, except 
 from 5811 or 
 6307.90) CTH, except from 
5811 A 
* Korea reserved judgment on whether to accept the Chairman’s text during the WTO Harmonized 
Rules of Origin(HRO) negotiations held from October 23 to 24, 2007, but added that Korea might 
display a flexible position at some future time. 
 
(i) Korea's Position:  There is a need to a dopt the change of tariff heading (CTH) as 
agreed in the WTO Harmonized Rules of Origin (HRO) negotiations. 
- It is difficult to accept a measure limiting th e types of materials that can be used to 
produce sleeping bags, because manufacturers mu st tailor their products to the need of 
users. 
B. CHAPTER 92:  MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS  
Issues for CRO Options Chairman’s 
Recommendation Korea’s 
Position 
No. 1 
Assembly form parts 
(9209) 
(9201-9208)  A. CTH 
B. CTH except from 
9209 or manufacture 
where the increase in value acquired as a 
result of working and 
processing and, if applicable, the 
incorporation of parts 
originating in the country of 
manufacture, represent 
at least 45 [x]% of the ex-works price of the 
product. Optional double 
rules A 
 * Korea reserved judgment on whether to accept the Chairman’s text(optional double rules) at the 
WTO Harmonized Rules of Origin negotiations held October 23-24, 2007. 
 G/RO/W/113 
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  (i) Korea’s Position: There is a need to adopt  the change of tariff heading(CTH) as 
agreed in the WTO Harmonized Rules of Origin(HRO) negotiations. 
- Considering the nature of the musical instrument manufacturing process, it is difficult 
to adopt Option B, as it excludes 9209 and demands 45% added value. 
- There are concerns about the management process as it will be very complicated to 
account for costs, and as differences in  added value occur when applying product 
characteristics and specifications according to the desires of buyers (i.e. industry). 
 
Switzerland
 
Items Switzerland’s proposal Comments 
Chapter 2 
0201 - 0210 
  
The country of origin of the goods of these headings shall be the country in which the 
animal was born and raised  
Reservation concerning 
slaughtering 
Chapter 4 0403  
  
ex0406 (a)  
The country of origin of the goods of this 
heading shall be the country in which the milk 
is obtained in its natu ral or unprocessed state 
 
-  
 
 
  
no consensus  
square brackets should be kept 
Chapter 7  
ex 0712(b)   
The country of origin of the goods of this split 
heading shall be the country in which the vegetables grew  
 
Chapter 16  
1602  
CC, subject to Chapter Note  
no consensus  
square brackets should be kept 
Chapter 18  
1806.31, 32, 90  
CTH  
no consensus  
square brackets 
should be kept 
Chapter 22  
2202.90 
 
2204  
CTH, except from Chapters 4, 20 and 21  
The country of origin of the goods of this 
heading shall be the country in which the grapes grew  
no consensus  square brackets 
should be kept 
  G/RO/W/113 
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  Thailand  
Issue.  Thailand’s position  
Agricultural Product chs. 1-24  
No.4 Drying -Pig fat, poultry fat, meat and offal 
 
-Vegetables and fruits (freeze-dried) 
 -Eggs and egg yolks   
 
- CTHS  
- CTH 
 - WO  
No.13 Obtaining fish meat  - CTH  
No.30 Decaffeination of coffee  - 0901.12:  The country of origin of the 
goods of this subheading shall be the 
country in which the plant grew. 
-  ex 0901.22(a) (-coffee, decaffeinated, 
roasted, of coffee beans of subheading 
0901.11, wholly obtained in a single country). 
 Origin rule:  The country of origin of 
the goods of this split subheading shall be the country in which the plant grew. 
- ex0901.22(b) (other) 
 Origin rule:  CTSH, except from 
subheading 0901.21 
No.49&50 Manufacturing product of ch16  - CTH subject to Chapter Note 1(a)  
No.83 Obtaining extract, etc. of tea or mate’  - CTH 
No.96 Non- alcoholic beverages containing 
juices fortified with minerals  - CTH  
Textile Products and Textile-related 
Chapters  chs. 50-63  
No. 36  Making quilted textile materials in the 
piece from fabric  - CTH, except from fabric  
Other goods chs. 93-97  
No. 6  Assembly of Furniture from parts essential part of the furniture  -  CTH, or  change from 9401.90/9403.90, 
provided one essential part of the 
furniture is already originating”    with 
clear definition of “essential part”  
No. 12  Production of lamps, etc. from parts  - CTSH  
 
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