The revision of the ACP-EC rules of origin was long overdue, with the the prevailing regime dating back to the early Lome Conventions that governed the ACP’s access to EU markets, trade cooperation and development assistance. The waiver under which the trade chapter of the Cotonou Agreement operated, provided a largely time-bound external reference point to guide the renegotiation of preferential ACP-EU trade.

This Trade Brief appraises the renegotiation of the rules of origin (RoO), which while being a critical component of any preferential trade arrangement, were essentially dealt with during the period just before the expiry of the WTO waiver on 31 December 2007. There was simply not enough time to completely overhaul the RoO. Some important amendments have been made for important exports from the ACP, however there is still work to be done; most probably within the next two years.

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