Non-Preferential Rules of Origin can be used as an important trade and commercial policy measure.

They do not compose a trade instrument by themselves, but they may be used in non-preferential commercial policy instruments relating to:

• inter alia,

• most-favoured-nation treatment,

• anti-dumping duty,

• safe guard measures,

• origin marking,

• tariff quotas,

• government procurement,

• trade statistics.

Harmonized Rules of Origin

“Harmonized Rules of Origin” mean coherent rules concerning origin determination. These rules are expected to be set out by co-operative efforts among WTO Member countries for non-preferential commercial policy instruments.

When the rules are completed, they will become an integral part of the Agreement on Rules of Origin.

As set in the Agreement on Rules of Origin, the Harmonized Rules of Origin should:

• be applied equally for all the above-mentioned non-preferential purposes;

• be objective, understandable and predictable;

• not to be used as instruments to pursue trade objectives directly or indirectly;

• be administrable in a consistent, uniform, impartial and reasonable manner;

• be coherent and based on a positive standard