5th – 7th February 2025, Brussels, Belgium

The 43rd Session of the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO) took place in Brussels, Belgium, from February 5th to 7th, 2025. Established in 1995 under Article 4.2 of the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin, the TCRO holds at least one meeting per year, typically at the WCO headquarters. TCRO focuses on conducting technical reviews to harmonize rules of origin, providing technical advice to member countries, and enhancing clarity in the interpretation and application of regulations.

Mr. Jaemin Cho and Ms. Asuka Nagamatsu, Program Managers at ROCB A/P, attended as an observer to help establish a foundation for capacity-building activities on rules of origin in the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting served as a valuable platform for customs officials and international organizations to discuss key challenges and share best practices in addressing both preferential and non-preferential rules of origin, which remain a critical issue for many Customs Administrations.

During the three-day session, discussions covered a range of important topics, including the interconnectivity framework for certificates of origin, Product-Specific Rules, and issues related to Origin Irregularities. Other key agenda items included initiatives on origin and green customs, origin issues in Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, Amendments to Revised Kyoto Convention Annex K, and WCO-led capacity building activities on rules of origin. Representatives from the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) also participated, providing valuable insights into the latest trends in rules of origin.

For further inquiries, please contact: rocb@rocbap.org