As such, there is an urgency to reinforce and enhance the unique position of chambers of commerce as the natural agents in the issuance and attestation of COs. The global reputation of the ICC WCF and its platform is drawn upon to develop and harmonize certification standards and procedures that will benefit traders and customs administrations.
Objective
The issuance of CO is an important function and the majority of governments and government agencies rely on the expertise and network of Chambers of Commerce as they have reliable and creditable track record with the first CO issued as early as April 1898.
Following the signing of the 1923 Geneva Convention, governments of developed and developing nations began delegating the issuance of CO to Chambers which are deemed to be competent organizations and are also regarded as an accountable and trusted third-party with neutrality and impartiality in the issuance of CO.
ICC WCF International Certificate of origin Council is being set up to enhance and promote the unique position of Chambers as the natural agent in the issuance of trade documents. This is to be achieved through the following strategies.
Strategies
1. Coordinated and vigorous lobbying with international, regional and national governments and agencies, through ICC structures.
2. Establishment of an International Certificates of Origin Accreditation Chain, based on the International CO Guidelines, which establishes international best practice for issuance procedures: to give assurance to businesses, traders, banks and Customs Administrations of integrity, transparent, independent, responsible and accountable issuance.
3. Development of a series of international training programmes to enhance and raise the level of Chambers’ professionalism and competency in CO issuance.
4. Helping Chambers in the identification and use of advanced technologies in the delivery of Certificates of Origin and trade documents.
5. Call for the liberalization of issuance of Preferential CO to Chambers by Customs authorities.
6. Call for the recognition and acceptance of electronic CO by governments.