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The ICC press department reported that in December trade experts from chambers of commerce in more than 30 countries met at the ICC Hearing Centre in Paris for the latest in a series of dialogues on recent developments in certificates of origin (CO), including electronic certificates of origin (eCOs), the issuance of preferential certificates of origin (PCOs), and self-certification.

During the meeting, ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) announced the coming launch of the CO verification website, which will provide Customs authorities an opportunity to verify online the authenticity of certificates of origin issued by participating chambers. The platform's official launch date was 21 January 2014.

Participants also heard how the Dubai Chamber had made CO applications possible via smartphone. Other presentations discussed an array of CO-related activities in Europe. These include the European Union's new Union Custom Code, which comes into effect in June 2016, and the European Commission's initiative on the mandatory labelling of origin on consumer goods.

Underpinning the effective role of chambers in issuing electronic COs, the CO Council approved the creation of an Electronic Certificate of Origin Task Force to raise the level of acceptability of eCO by Customs administrations worldwide and to support the expansion of the CO Chain.

For more information visit ICC WCF Certificates of Origin at http://www.iccwbo.org/chamber-services/trade-facilitation/certificates-of-origin/