Harmonization on Rules of Origin

The WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin (ARO) provides for the conduct of a three-year Harmonization Work Programme (HWP) to draw up a set of harmonized rules of origin for all non-preferential commercial policy instruments.

Upon the implementation of the results of the HWP, WTO members (including Hong Kong, China) shall ensure that they apply the harmonized rules of origin in accordance with the principles stipulated in the ARO.

Due to the complexity of the issues, the HWP could not be completed within its original deadline of July 1998. Negotiations are currently on-going at the WTO.

For enquiries about this item, please contact Multilateral Division of Trade and Industry Department at telephone number 2398 5399.