[1] The ICC represents more than 45 million companies in over 100 countries[2] These Guidelines cover Certificates of Origin as used in international trade, as opposed to any other purpose.
The requirement for, and the nature of information required in, a Certificate of Origin is established by the Kyoto Convention,[3] whose latest revision went into force on February 3, 2006[4] As of 01 November 2023, there were 120 countries as contracting parties to the revised Kyoto Convention, including major exporting and importing countries such as the United States (as of 6 December 2005), Japan (as of 26 June 2011), United Kingdom (30 April 2004) China (PRC) (as of 15 June 2000), United Arab Emirates (15 June 2011), Saudi Arabia (as of 27 April 2011), Russia (as of 02 February 2011), Qatar (as of 13 July 2009), Netherlands (as of 30 April 2004), Egypt (as of 08 January 2008) and numerous others.
[5] In most countries, Chambers of Commerce are the trusted third party through which millions of Certificates of Origin are issued around the world.
[9] In the Forward to the International Certificate of Origin Guidelines, Mette Werdelin Azzam, World Customs Organization (WCO) Senior Technical Officer (Origin) writes "[WCO] recognizes the importance of harmonization of procedures used for the issuance of Certificates of Origin by Chambers of Commerce worldwide"[10] To process Certificates of Origin properly, avoid legal liabilities relating to errors or fraud, and assure a minimum of problems for exporters and importers with Customs authorities and foreign embassies, Chambers that are Accredited by the ICC issue Certificates of Origin against this complex set of guidelines with trained professional staff.
The guidelines in ICC Publication 809e remind Chambers that they "...must constantly renew themselves while adhering to the most stringent international standards so that they can act as competent trusted third parties, and key players in the promotion and facilitation of world trade.