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An overview of ICCPromoting world trade
The International Chamber of Commerce
ICC is the world business organization, a representative body that speaks withauthority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world.
The fundamental mission of ICC is to promote trade and investment across frontiersand help business corporations meet the challenges and opportunities of globalization.Its conviction that trade is a powerful force for peace and prosperity dates from theorganization’s origins early in the last century. The small group of far-sighted businessleaders who founded ICC called themselves “the merchants of peace”.
ICC has three main activities: rules-setting, arbitration and policy. Because its membercompanies and associations are themselves engaged in international business, ICC has unrivalled authority in making rules that govern the conduct of business acrossborders. Although these rules are voluntary, they are observed in countless thousandsof transactions every day and have become part of the fabric of international trade.
ICC also provides essential services, foremost among them the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the world’s leading arbitral institution. Another service is the World Chambers Federation, ICC's worldwide network of chambers of commerce, fostering interaction and exchange of chamber best practice.
Business leaders and experts drawn from the ICC membership establish the businessstance on broad issues of trade and investment policy as well as on vital technical and sectoral subjects. These include financial services, information technologies,telecommunications, marketing ethics, the environment, transportation, competitionlaw and intellectual property, among others.
ICC enjoys a close working relationship with the United Nations and otherintergovernmental organizations, including the World Trade Organization and the G8.
ICC was founded in 1919. Today it groups hundreds of thousands of member companies and associations from over 130 countries. National committees work with their members to address the concerns of business in their countries and convey to their governments the business views formulated by ICC.
For information on how to join ICC, visit the ICC website (iccwbo.org) or contact the ICC Membership Department in Paris.
38, Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris, FranceTelephone +33 (0) 1 49 53 28 28 Fax +33 (0) 1 49 53 29 24Website www.iccwbo.org E-mail [email protected]
Specialized divisions
ICC’s Dispute Resolution Services: The world’s
most respected system of commercial dispute
resolution, including the ICC International Court
of Arbitration. (See pages 8-9) ICC’s Institute of World
Business Law provides training and the exchange
of knowledge and expertise in international arbitration
and commercial law.
ICC Events: Staging conferences, workshops
and seminars on issues vital to international business
practitioners. (See pages 16-17)
ICC Publications: Producer of quality business titles.
(See pages 18-19)
ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF): The world’s
largest network of chambers of commerce;
administers the ATA Carnet system, facilitating
the temporary admission of goods across borders.
(See pages 20-21)
ICC Commercial Crime Services (CCS): Crime
prevention for business – fighting maritime piracy,
financial fraud and counterfeiting. (See pages 22-23)
(Continued on page 3)
ICC operates today with the same belief that drove
its founding fathers to create the organization
in 1919 – namely, that business should take the
initiative to address some of the major challenges
facing economies around the world. The members
of the world business organization are companies
and associations engaged in international business.
They are champions of the market economy
system – of open markets and rules-based trade
and investment. ICC is the premier provider of services
to world business, operating through its policy
commissions, special projects and specialized divisions.
Policy commissions
Much of ICC’s work is rooted in producing rules
and guidelines to facilitate international trade,
which is done through specialized working bodies
known as commissions. Consisting of business experts
drawn from the membership, the commissions
also elaborate policy on major issues that affect
business globally. (See pages 4-7)
Special projects
BASCAP: Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting
and Piracy is a coalition of ICC member companies
and trade associations actively engaged in a set
of projects designed to protect intellectual property
rights and stop the spread of counterfeit products.
(See pages 10-11)
BASIS: Business Action to Support the Information
Society is the voice of world business on Internet
governance issues and information and
communications technologies. (See pages 14-15)
An overview of ICC
ICC members are at
the forefront of business
self-regulation. They set
ICC’s agenda, determine
its priorities and are
instrumental in drawing
up rules that business
uses every day.
ICC opens the door to
the corridors of power,
giving company executives
a means to access
government ministers
and top international
officials who make
decisions affecting
corporate performance.
Advance intelligence
is made available on
new laws and regulations.
As a result, ICC members
are well informed at an
early stage – and win
time to make the right
decisions for their business.
By joining ICC, companies
large and small become
part of the world’s
most prominent business
organization with some
90 national committees
around the world.
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ICC’s unswerving advocacy of open international trade and investment and the market economy system over nearly a century has made an enormously effective contribution towards the healthy
expansion of business and the improvement of living standards across large parts of the world.Guy Sebban, ICC Secretary General
“”
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Executive Board
Strategic direction for ICC is provided by
its Executive Board, consisting of up to 30 business
leaders and ex officio members. It is elected
by the World Council on the recommendation
of the Chairmanship. Meeting three times a year,
the Executive Board oversees the establishment
of ICC’s strategic priorities and the implementation
of its policies.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee advises the Executive Board
on all financial matters. On behalf of the Executive
Board, it prepares the budget and regularly reports
to the board. It reviews the financial implications
of ICC activities and supervises the flow of revenues
and expenses of the organization. The Chairman
is elected by the ICC World Council.
National Committees
In 90 of the world’s nations, members have
established formal ICC structures called national
committees. In countries where there is no national
committee, companies and organizations such
as chambers of commerce and professional
associations can become direct members.
ICC has unrivalled access to national governments
through its network of national committees.
(For a list of national committees and their contact
details, visit www.iccwbo.org)
International Secretariat
The ICC International Secretariat, based in Paris,
is the operational arm of ICC. It develops and carries
out ICC’s work programme, feeding business views
into intergovernmental organizations on issues
that directly affect business operations.
The International Secretariat is led by the Secretary
General, who is appointed by the World Council.
World Council
ICC’ s supreme governing body is the World Council,
consisting of representatives of national committees.
The World Council elects ICC’s highest officers,
including the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman,
each of whom serves a two-year term. The Chairman,
Vice-Chairman and the Honorary Chairman
(the immediate past Chairman) provide the
organization with high-level world leadership.
An overview of ICC (Continued from page 1)
ICC is a treasure trove
of information and
experience in all matters
affecting business.
By serving on ICC policy
commissions, members
contribute their
know-how to ICC
statements and thus
have an influence on
governments. They tap
into the vast multi-
disciplinary knowledge
of the 2000 business
experts who carry out
the commissions’ work.
ICC’s influence around
the world relies upon
its global network
of national committees
in some 90 countries.
It is their job to voice the
interests of business to
their national governments,
and also to provide input
to ICC’s policy work.
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I am both aware and deeply appreciative of the work ICC has done to maintain business pressure on the world trade talks. It is important for business and governments
to work together to push for progress. I hope you will continue your commendable efforts.Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, United Kingdom
“”
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Trade, investment and globalization
The fight for an open world economy and the market
system is never won, as difficulties encountered
by the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations
attest. Successful integration of developing countries
into the global economy through increased trade
and investment is one of the international community’s
most pressing challenges. ICC will remain a steadfast
rallying point, telling governments, intergovernmental
bodies and the public that strengthening commercial
ties among nations is good for business, good for
living standards and good for peace.
Business in society
Society’s expectations of the role of business
are changing rapidly, and cover everything from the
environment to community relations. To address these
new demands, ICC provides business input to major
initiatives, such as the UN Global Compact, which
offers guidance to business on promoting human rights.
In recent decades, the world has grown increasingly
interdependent. To meet the challenges brought on
by globalization, ICC helps businesses to formulate
policy positions and ensures those positions are heard
at the national and international level.
Preferred business partner to the UN
National governments, even rich and powerful ones,
are unable to deal single-handedly with pressing global
challenges, such as climate change. The way forward
to resolving these challenges lies with increased
multilateral cooperation among countries in
intergovernmental forums. ICC’s privileged consultative
status with major intergovernmental organizations
(IGOs) and its long experience voicing business views
to influence negotiations at this level are crucial to
help achieve global consensus. Extensive consultation
of its global membership lends ICC special authority
and legitimacy to its views in these gatherings.
ICC enjoys a close working relationship with
the United Nations and other intergovernmental
organizations, including the G8 and the World Trade
Organization. Since 1946, ICC has had consultative
status with the UN and its specialized agencies.
With IGOs increasingly involved in matters of concern
to the business community, it is important that business
representatives be “at the table” when these issues
are discussed. Emphasis on the crucial role of the
private sector in the achievement of the international
community’s development goals makes ICC’s
participation in IGO discussions even more necessary.
Making policy in a rapidly evolving world
Over the years, ICC has
been actively involved
in the work of the
UN’s Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC),
the International
Telecommunication Union
(ITU), the UN Commission
on International Trade
Law (UNCITRAL), the UN
Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD),
the UN Commission on
Sustainable Development
(UNCSD), the UN
Development Programme
(UNDP), the UN Economic
Commission for Europe
(ECE), the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP),
the World Customs
Organization (WCO), the
World Health Organization
(WHO) and the World
Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO),
among others.
I believe that trade opening and reduced trade barriers have been, are and will remain essential to promote growth and development, to improve standards of living
and to tackle poverty reduction. The World Trade Organization remains the most efficient and most legitimate forum to open and regulate world trade.
Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organization
“”
The ICC website attracts
users from every corner
of the globe. The user-
friendly site is the place
to discover what ICC
is doing to promote the
interests of the business
community, locate policy
documents, register for
ICC events, purchase ICC
publications and find out
more about all of ICC’s
services. It is constantly
updated to ensure that
the latest ICC news
is only a click away.
www.iccwbo.org
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and seller in cross-border sales contracts, and have been
endorsed by the UN Commission on International Trade
Law. These terms, such as FOB (Free on Board), are
regularly incorporated into sales contracts worldwide
and have become part of the daily language of trade.
Model contracts
ICC’s series of model contracts is an indispensable
tool for trouble-free trading. A model contract
is a legal device that any company may adapt to
its needs – thus shortening the time it must spend
on negotiations, which saves money and facilitates
trade. The ICC Model Confidentiality Agreement,
for example, helps businesses large and small
to protect sensitive information. Others in the series
include the ICC Model Distributorship Contract
and the ICC Model International Franchising Contract.
Certificate of Origin Guidelines
This set of guidelines for the issuance of certificates
of origin, used by customs as the main way to apply
tariffs, is the first set of international procedures
on this subject and is based on the work of ICC’s
World Chambers Federation. These voluntary rules
help govern business conduct across borders
and benefit traders and customs officials alike.
Writing rules for business
At the heart of international trade are rules, norms,
standards and tools that help facilitate the daily flow
of global commerce, the life-support system of
cross-border trade and investment. In its historic
rules-writing function, ICC has developed a large array
of voluntary rules, guidelines and codes to facilitate
business and spread best practices. These rules help
reinforce business self-regulation, provide an invaluable
service to businesses across the globe, and are used
in billions of dollars’ worth of transactions every year.
The most widely used set of rules in international
finance, the UCP 600 Uniform Customs and Practice
for Documentary Credit, was revised in 2006.
UCP takes effect from mid-2007.
Business self-regulation
ICC’s consolidated and expanded advertising
and marketing code, the eighth revision since it first
appeared in 1937, sets a high ethical bar for industry
self-regulation in a fast-paced media era. It includes
new guidance in everything from advertising
on the Internet to SMS and further direction on green
advertising claims. To help in the fight against child
obesity, ICC’s framework for responsible food and
beverage marketing provides a series of guideposts
that set rigorous standards for advertising to children.
Incoterms
Now in their 70th year, ICC’s International Commercial
Terms, known as Incoterms, help avoid legal uncertainty
by spelling out clear responsibilities between the buyer
Rules-Setting
Frequently, parties
to a contract are unaware
of the different trading
practices in their respective
countries. To help avoid
misunderstandings
and facilitate trade,
ICC first published a set
of international rules
for the interpretation
of trade terms, called
Incoterms, in 1936.
Over the years, this
undisputed worldwide
contractual standard
has been regularly
updated and now includes
13 terms, including FOB
(Free on Board) and EXW
(Ex Works).
ICC's Code of Advertising and Marketing Communication Practice is a prime example of ‘better regulation’ in a time when legislation
has grave problems keeping pace in fast-moving markets.
“”
Jean-Pierre Teyssier, President, European Advertising Standards Alliance
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> Confidential: ICC arbitration is not public.
Confidentiality is often the reason parties choose
ICC arbitration.
> High-caliber: The distinctive characteristics of ICC
arbitration – including the role of the ICC Court
and its Secretariat, the method for designating
arbitrators, the fixing of arbitrators’ remuneration
and the scrutiny of arbitral awards – all contribute
to the stellar reputation of the ICC system.
> Enforceable: Arbitral awards enjoy greater international
recognition than judgments of national courts.
Most countries have signed the 1958 United Nations
Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement
of Foreign Arbitral Awards, facilitating the
enforcement of such awards. Scrutiny of awards by
the ICC Court is an added value of the ICC arbitration
procedure that contributes to their enforceability.
The ICC Rules of Arbitration are published in a booklet
with the ICC Rules for a Pre-Arbitral Referee
Procedure, which provide a means of dealing rapidly
with urgent problems that may arise in a contractual
relationship before recourse to arbitration.
ICC’s International Court of Arbitration is the most
trusted system of commercial arbitration in the world,
having received more than 14 500 cases since
its founding in 1923.
Over the past decade, the Court’s workload has
considerably expanded as its reputation for fast,
flexible dispute resolution services spreads worldwide.
The Court’s membership has also grown and covers
86 countries.
With representatives in North America, Latin
and Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia
and the United Kingdom, and brochures available
in many languages, the ICC Court has boosted
its academic and training activities on all continents
and in all major languages used in international trade.
The advantages of ICC arbitration
> Fast: Arbitration is generally faster than litigation.
In ICC arbitration, time periods for stages
of the procedure are monitored by the ICC Court
to make sure cases move forward.
> Flexible: Arbitrations take place in any country
and any language, with arbitrators of any nationality.
All cases are administered by the ICC Court
Secretariat in Paris.
> Cost-efficient: Because cases are resolved in a timely
way, ICC arbitration is often much less expensive than
litigation. Also, the scale system for fixing costs in ICC
arbitration allows predictability for the parties.
Arbitration – resolving disputes quickly and flexibly
ICC Dispute Resolution
Services exist in
many forms.
Amicable dispute
resolution offers
a framework for the
settlement of disputes
with the assistance of
a neutral. Parties choose
the settlement technique,
such as negotiation
or a mini-trial.
Dispute boards
are independent bodies
designed to help resolve
disagreements arising
during the course
of a contract.
Expertise is a way
of finding the right person
to make an independent
assessment on any subject
relevant to business
operations.
DOCDEX provides expert
decisions to resolve
disputes related to
documentary credits,
collections and demand
guarantees, incorporating
ICC banking rules.
The Secretariat of
ICC’s International Court
of Arbitration has an
online case-management
system that allows it
to follow the over 1000
arbitrations it supervises
at any one time.
NetCase allows all
participants in an
arbitration to communicate
through a secure website
hosted by ICC. Users
benefit from round-the-
clock access, security,
confidentiality and
organized storage
and document handling.
The ICC International Court of Arbitration is the most widely known arbitral institution. In addition to arbitration, over the years ICC has developed a full range of other dispute
resolution rules to meet the challenges of international commerce today.
“”
Pierre Tercier, Chairman, ICC International Court of Arbitration
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Damage caused by counterfeiting and piracy:
> consumer health and safety are imperiled –
especially by the widespread counterfeit production
of pharmaceuticals and aircraft and car parts
> governments bear much of the financial burden
through loss of tax revenue
> research and innovation efforts are stymied
> Interpol intelligence shows that counterfeiting
and piracy are increasingly being used to fund
organized crime
BASCAP is prepared for a sustained effort
to end this scourge. As the only business organization
with a truly global reach, ICC is well placed to take
the fight against counterfeiting to the level required
for action to be effective.
Since the launch of ICC’s BASCAP (Business Action to
Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) project, hundreds of
companies and trade associations in many sectors from
around the globe have championed this bold initiative.
They are engaged in a set of projects designed to defeat
the pirates and increase public and political awareness
of the economic and social harm caused by this illegal
activity. BASCAP is using ICC’s global media network
and national committee structure to get the word out.
BASCAP was launched in 2004 by the then ICC
Chairman, Jean-René Fourtou. It is headed by a group
of like-minded CEOs drawn from ICC’s network and
representing the large number of countries and
industry segments affected by this problem. BASCAP
is an operational programme that connects all
business sectors and cuts across all national borders,
drawing them together to ensure that their message
is clearly heard by governments and the public.
BASCAP aims to:
> increase public and political awareness
of counterfeiting and piracy and the social
and economic harm they wreak
> compel government action and the allocation
of resources towards improving enforcement
of intellectual property rights
> bring about a cultural sea change to ensure
intellectual property rights are protected
and respected
BASCAP leads the fight against counterfeiting and piracy
It is essential that national police forces engage in combating IP crime. Doing so provides them with opportunities to disrupt the activities of transnational
organized criminals that not only manipulate counterfeit and pirated goods to maximize illicit profits, but also trade in many other dangerous illicit commodities.
Ron Noble, Secretary General, Interpol
“”
As members of BASCAP’s
Global Leadership Group,
CEOs of some of the
world’s top companies
have provided their
leadership and influence
to take the fight against
the theft of intellectual
property to the highest
international level.
This has led to the setup
of an online information
clearinghouse that
gives users the latest
information on legislation
and enforcement activity;
details strategies to
safeguard brands;
and provides a global
directory linking actors
engaged in the fight against
counterfeiting and piracy.
Daily intelligence reports
and a case studies
database have also been
developed. The CEO
group is also engaged
in an awareness campaign
to inform policymakers
and the general public
of the staggering
social and economic
costs of this theft.
www.iccwbo.org/bascap
Fighting this 21st century
crime requires the
global cooperation of
governments with industry.
ICC actively engages
governments and
the media, addressing
numerous conferences
each year to raise
awareness of the need
to coordinate efforts.
ICC also partners with
the World Customs
Organization, Interpol
and the World Intellectual
Property Organization
to plan the annual Global
Congress on Combating
Counterfeiting and Piracy.
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19. From left, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman andCEO, Nestlé; Jean-RenéFourtou, Chairman of the Supervisory Board,Vivendi; Guy Sebban; and Tarik Rangoonwala,Chairman, ForhanPakistan, at a pressconference in Geneva.
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6. South African PresidentThabo Mbeki addressesICC’s 4th WorldChambers Congress in Durban in 2005.
7. Mexico City was the site of an ICC Congressin 1963.
8. ICC has been bringingbusiness people togetherfor decades.
9. Geneva 2007: CEOs of major companies met to develop strategy forICC’s BASCAP project.
10. ICC reports andbrochures are issued in many languages.
11. Marrakesh 2004: Dinnerat an ICC Congress.
2. US President DwightEisenhower with then ICC President EdmondGiscard d’Estaing (centre)and former ICC PresidentPhilip D. Reed at ICC’sCongress in Washington in 1957.
3. The ICC Secretariat in Paris.
4. Experts from ICC membercompanies formulateICC policy.
5. During the recession in the 1970s, ICC stressedthat living standardswould not increasewithout economic growth.
1. ICC’s conviction that tradeis a powerful force forpeace and prosperityunderlies all its work, as illustrated by this 1937 brochure.
12. ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban (far left) wasappointed to the board of the UN GlobalCompact in 2006.
13. Then ICC Chairman Jean-René Fourtou meetsFrench President JacquesChirac in 2003.
14. Cultural entertainment at an ICC meeting in New Delhi.
15. Former French PresidentValéry Giscard d’Estaingspeaks to the media at theICC Congress in Marrakesh.
16. Stamps commemoratingan ICC Congress inIstanbul in 1969.
17. From left: Saroj KumarPoddar, Vice President, ICC India; MarcusWallenberg, ICC Chairman;and Y.K. Modi, President,ICC India, at a BASCAPseminar in New Delhi in 2006.
18. A badge from ICC’s 1967Congress in Montreal.
ICC photo gallery
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Supplying business expertise
ICC has long understood the importance of ICTs
to promote international trade, and has been working
at the heart of ICT and Internet developments for
many years, especially by contributing to global policy
discussions and intergovernmental negotiations.
Furthering growth and prosperity
BASIS contributes to global efforts to ensure that
the Internet and ICTs are put to use by more people
and businesses worldwide. This will not only create
wealth and jobs, but also spread knowledge, support
public authorities in providing education and training,
and contribute to greater freedom and democracy.
More information about BASIS can be found at:
www.iccwbo.org/basis
ICC set up the BASIS (Business Action to Support the
Information Society) initiative to serve as the voice of
world business on Internet governance and information
and communications technologies (ICTs) issues. These
tools are key drivers of the global economy, essential
for the development of companies and countries.
Because governments and other actors are demanding
a far greater voice in how these technologies are
managed, the decisions they make on ICT issues
will have more impact than in the past.
Through the networks of ICC, BASIS ensures that
business perspectives are taken into account. BASIS
is composed of company and association members
from various business sectors and around the world.
BASIS speaks out on a wide range of critical issues,
including:
> Internet governance matters such as data
protection, privacy, security, and the technical
management and coordination of the Internet
> liberalization of the telecoms market
> entrepreneurship
> innovation
> ICTs as tools for development
This advocacy effort draws on the substantive policy
and practical work of ICC’s Commission on E-Business,
IT and Telecoms, and the experience of ICC’s members.
Promoting an inclusive information society
Global forums are crucial
to shaping policies and
programmes that will affect
the development of the
Internet and ICTs. The input
BASIS provides to
governments, civil society
and technical experts
at these forums is essential
to ensure that future laws,
regulations and policies
are business-friendly. The
UN Global Alliance for ICTs
and Development and the
Internet Governance Forum
are two such forums where
BASIS has a strong presence.
As the main business
partner of the UN and
its agencies, ICC is adept
at brokering consensus
among business,
governments, civil society
and intergovernmental
institutions. This skill is
vital to achieve common
ground on issues affecting
the information society.
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To every six-year-old in Ghana who wants to read, to every 30-year-old in India who wants to expand his business via the Internet,
we all share a responsibility to make these dreams a reality.David Appasamy, Chief Communications Officer, Sify Ltd. (India)
“”
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BASIS shares business
expertise and experience
at the:
Internet Governance
Forum, an outgrowth
of previous UN summits
on the information society,
where governments,
business, civil society and
technical experts discuss
issues such as information
and network security,
and education and training
on Internet issues.
UN Global Alliance for
ICTs and Development,
which addresses ways
for the world’s poorest
countries to attract
foreign investment
and forge public-private
partnerships to help spread
the use of ICTs.
A full schedule of upcoming conferences organized by
ICC Events can be found at: www.iccwbo.org/events.
ICC Institute of World Business Law
The ICC Institute of World Business Law draws
together the finest minds in the legal profession
and offers training in international business law
and arbitration to jurists, executives and academics
through ICC Events.
The Institute, composed of a council of renowned
arbitrators and experts in international law, also acts
as a think tank working closely with ICC’s International
Court of Arbitration and ICC policy commissions.
Once a year, the Institute holds a conference where
legal experts share knowledge on a topical issue
and create doctrine, the result of which is compiled
in an annual publication, Dossiers of the Institute.
ICC brings the intelligence and state-of-the-art practices
of a world-renowned group of legal and business experts
directly to the public and to practitioners at its events.
These events cover a vast array of some of the most
pressing matters for global business, from arbitration
and dispute resolution to banking techniques
and practices, and piracy and counterfeiting.
ICC Events, a department within ICC, works closely
with ICC’s International Court of Arbitration, the most
respected body in its field, the Institute of World
Business Law, ICC policy commissions and national
committees to develop courses that are considered
the gold standard in spreading best international
business and legal practices. It also has strong ties
with worldwide bar associations and professional
organizations such as the International Federation
of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), the International
Bar Association and the International Association
of Entertainment Lawyers.
Staged all over the world, ICC events range from
large topical conferences to training sessions
for small groups. These smaller seminars and courses
share ICC’s unique expertise on commercial arbitration,
dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation,
Incoterms, banking rules (Uniform Customs and
Practice for Documentary Credits) and others.
ICC Events
”ICC events are always highly topical. They are the perfect platform
for spreading expertise essential to business worldwide – knowledge that will get business to the top.
“Serge Lazareff, Chairman, ICC Institute of World Business Law
ICC’s Institute of World
Business Law’s intensive
arbitration training courses
(known as PIDA seminars)
are unique, covering
arbitration-related topics
through the study of mock
cases. Each session is
limited to 40 participants
from business and
the legal profession,
establishing an intimate
forum for learning and
the exchange of ideas.
Participants and
speakers come from
both emerging and
industrialized economies.
1716
Understanding local legal
cultures and attitudes
is important to the success
of any arbitration.
For this reason, ICC
arbitration specialists
from Latin America gather
once a year to lead
a two-day conference
addressing topics of
major importance in
a Latin American context.
The speakers are all
practitioners who share
their first-hand experiences
and anecdotes, providing
a rare opportunity to
become fully informed
about the current state
of international
commercial arbitration
in Latin America.
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the responsibilities of buyer and seller for delivery
of goods under sales contracts. Guide to Incoterms,
Incoterms Wall Chart and Incoterms Multimedia
Expert (CD-ROM) are also best-sellers.
Model contracts series
ICC Model Confidentiality Agreement – Model
Confidentiality Clause, ICC Model Sales Contract,
ICC Model Commercial Agency Contract, ICC Model
Distributorship Contract and ICC Model
International Franchising Contract. Many of these
titles are also available as eBooks for fast delivery.
Law and arbitration
ICC Arbitration and ICC Arbitral Awards are the
definitive reference works for international arbitration.
The ICC Institute of World Business Law also publishes
the Dossier series based on its annual conferences.
International trade
A-Z of International Trade and Export Import Basics
plus the interactive trade tool Key Words
in International Trade Interactive.
Business ethics
ICC provides topical reference works such as
Corporate Governance Worldwide, Fighting
Corruption and Private Commercial Bribery.
ICC Publications provides business with essential
resources, disseminating ICC rules and the work of
its commissions in user-friendly textbooks and eBooks.
The content of ICC publications is also derived from
the work of institutions and individual international
business experts. The specialized list covers a range
of topics including international banking, international
trade reference and terms (Incoterms), law
and arbitration, counterfeiting and fraud, model
commercial contracts and environmental issues.
Many of the best-selling titles, including those
on banking rules and trade tools, are translated into
a variety of languages and are available from ICC
national committees worldwide. National committee
contact details are listed on www.iccwbo.org.
Publications are also available in both traditional
and electronic formats from the online ICC Business
Bookstore at www.iccbooks.com
Titles include:
International banking
ICC’s set of rules for letters of credit, Uniform
Customs and Practice for Documentary Credit:
UCP 600 (2007 revision), is the most successful set of
private rules for trade ever developed. Related titles
include UCP 600 The Commentary and an updated
version of International Standard Banking Practice.
Incoterms 2000 series
Incoterms 2000 is the authoritative text on
the 13 ICC-issued standard trading terms that define
ICC Publications
The Uniform Customs
and Practice for
Documentary Credits (UCP)
were first published
by ICC in 1933. Revised
versions were issued
by ICC in 1951, 1962, 1974,
1983 and 1993. Written
into virtually every letter
of credit, the UCP are
accepted worldwide.
Revised most recently
for implementation
in 2007, UCP 600 is a
must-have reference for
practitioners worldwide.
”...UCP 600 will strengthen the respect, credibility and rightful place
of letters of credit in international commerce.Pradeep Taneja, Chairman of the ICC Bahrain Trade Finance Forum and head of Global Trade Services of Bank Muscat International, Bahrain
“
18
ICC publications are
available in both traditional
and electronic formats
from www.iccbooks.com.
”
2120
For more information about WCF, visit
www.worldchambersfederation.org
Certificates of Origin
Chambers issue and attest certificates of origin
and other trade documents – a role that is vital to
smooth international trade, especially in an increasingly
differentiated rule-of-origin trading environment
that lacks international certification standards.
WCF provides a range of tools to support chambers
in the delivery of this service, including training and
a manual on international procedures and guidelines.
WCF’s role is to reinforce and enhance the position
of chambers of commerce as the natural agent
in the issuance and attestation of certificates
of origin, and to use its global stature and platform
to develop and/or harmonize certification
standards and procedures to benefit traders
and customs administrations.
Underpinning ICC’s global influence is a worldwide
network of chambers of commerce, brought together
by ICC’s World Chambers Federation (WCF).
WCF facilitates exchange among this community
of over 12 000 chambers large and small from
all nations, helping them to strengthen their
operations at the grassroots level and to improve
their services to companies.
One of the most anticipated WCF events is the World
Chambers Congress. Held every two years in different
regions of the world, the congress helps build
the personal networks that chamber executives need
to exchange expertise. Chambers around the world
eagerly compete to host the congress.
The World Chambers Competition is a key feature
of the World Chambers Congress, and is the only
global awards programme that provides international
recognition to the most innovative projects
undertaken by chambers from around the world.
It provides a unique opportunity for chambers
to showcase originality and ingenuity and learn from
each other’s experiences. Since its inception in 2003,
the competition has provided a wide selection of case
studies not only from developed countries but also
from developing and least-developed countries.
ICC World Chambers Federation
The ATA Carnet system
is a worldwide service
that facilitates the passage
of trade across borders.
The carnet is an
internationally recognized
customs document
delivered to enterprises
to facilitate their
temporary duty-free
and tax-free imports
of professional equipment,
commercial samples
and goods to be displayed
at trade fairs, exhibitions
and similar events.
The system operates under
international customs
conventions that are
administered by the World
Customs Organization
(WCO). ATA Carnets are
issued through a network
of chambers of commerce
and similar organizations
affiliated to the ATA
international guarantee
chain, administered
by ICC through the WCF.
ATA Carnets are used
extensively by businesses
in most parts of the world.
Approximately 150 000
are issued every year
for goods valued at about
US $13.5 billion.
The World Chambers Congress brings the right people to the table for valuable discussions on issues critical to the global business community.
This is an extraordinary event for the chamber of commerce network and should not be missed.
“Tom Donohue, President and Chief Executive Officer, US Chamber of Commerce
23
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22
Report is considered the most authoritative measure
of maritime piracy. IMB also provides pre-contract
advice on shipowners, charterers and cargo owners,
seeks recovery of losses in maritime disputes,
and verifies transport documents presented under
documentary credits to banks.
> Financial Investigation Bureau (FIB): The FIB’s proven
ability to detect financial fraud before it is
perpetrated has made it hugely valuable to banks
and other financial institutions. By giving
its members access to a vast database of shared
information, the FIB helps keep banks one step
ahead of the fraudsters. FIB is in the process
of providing an online service to members
with up-to-the-minute data to prevent fraud.
> Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau (CIB): With
the worldwide trade in counterfeit goods estimated
at some US$600 billion annually, the work of the
CIB has never been more important. It is currently
collaborating with BASCAP on a number of projects.
CIB’s Counterfeit Report sets the industry standard.
The scope and variety of criminal threats facing
business grow ever larger, with the methods
of commercial criminals becoming increasingly
sophisticated. ICC Commercial Crime Services (CCS)
provides the world business community with
a centralized crime-fighting body – one with a global
network and a sterling reputation. It draws on
the worldwide resources of its members in the fight
against commercial crime.
Based in London and comprising three distinct crime-
fighting divisions, CCS operates according to two basic
precepts: to prevent commercial crime and to
investigate and help prosecute commercial criminals.
CCS works closely with international law enforcement
officials, including Interpol, and uses its expertise
and network of members to remain one step ahead
of the criminals.
From trade finance fraud to piracy on the high seas,
banking frauds and counterfeit goods – if there
is a variant of commercial crime, CCS is aware
of it and has developed a strategy to combat it.
The specialized divisions of CCS
> International Maritime Bureau (IMB): With the
highest profile of CCS’s divisions, the IMB is the
premier anti-piracy authority in the shipping world.
Its Piracy Reporting Centre provides the most
accurate, up-to-date information to shippers about
pirate activity on the world’s oceans. The IMB Piracy
ICC Commercial Crime Services
IMB’s Piracy Reporting
Centre in Kuala Lumpur
receives its information
directly from shipmasters
plying the ocean’s trade
routes and is uniquely
placed to monitor pirate
activity, inform ship
captains and help law
enforcement authorities
detain pirates.
The IMB Piracy Report
has become the industry
standard for the monitoring
of maritime piracy around
the world. Used together
with IMB’s online piracy
map, a satellite image
showing the geography
of piracy attacks, it allows
seafarers and enforcement
officials to visualize where
and how the attacks are
occurring. By sharing
information with local law
enforcement officials,
the Centre has assisted
in the prosecution of many
pirates. Specifically,
it has helped to reduce
the number of attacks
in the Malacca Straits and
elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
The prevention of trade
finance fraud has
recently become one
of CCS’s most important
functions. CCS offers
banks a specialized range
of products capable
of detecting trade finance
fraud before it happens.
It currently cross-checks
some 2000 bills of lading
per month, from all
over the world.
Businesses are required to apply high standards of due diligence in their operations. Failure to do so could result in regulatory and criminal sanctions.
Membership of the CCS helps businesses stay in business.
“Pottengal Mukundan, Director, ICC Commercial Crime Services
In 1919, a handful of entrepreneurs decided to create an
organization that would represent business everywhere.
The group of industrialists, financiers and traders
were determined to bring hope to a world still
devastated by the First World War, which had just
ended. They resolved to replace fear and suspicion
with a new spirit of friendly international cooperation,
at least among business people. They founded
the International Chamber of Commerce and called
themselves “the merchants of peace”.
At that time the world had few working international
structures and no world system of rules to govern
trade, investment, finance or commercial relations.
That the private sector should fill the gap without
waiting for governments was an idea of breathtaking
originality. ICC’s founders were convinced that the
private sector itself is best qualified to set voluntary
global rules and standards for business.
Much of ICC’s early impetus came from its first
president, Etienne Clémentel, a former French minister
of commerce. Under his leadership, the new
organization’s international secretariat was established
in Paris. Mr Clémentel was also instrumental in creating
the ICC International Court of Arbitration in 1923.
The History of ICC
24
From the very beginning, ICC spoke out on behalf of
business in making representations to governments and
intergovernmental organizations. Three ICC members
served on the Dawes Commission, which drew up the
international treaty on war reparations in 1924, seen
as a breakthrough in international relations at the time.
A year after the creation of the United Nations
in San Francisco in 1945, ICC was granted
the highest-level consultative status with the UN
and its specialized agencies.
ICC has become the largest, most representative
business organization in the world. It is a unique
association of companies drawn from all business
sectors in every part of the world. Given today’s global
economy, its advocacy has never been more relevant
to the interests of companies everywhere.
Published in 2007 by
International Chamber of Commerce
38, Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris, France
Tel +33 (0) 1 49 53 28 28
Fax + 33 (0) 1 49 53 29 24
Website www.iccwbo.org
E-mail [email protected]
ICC Publication No. 842
ISBN 978-92-842-0027-6
Copyright © 2007
International Chamber of Commerce
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
copied or translated in any form or by any means – graphic,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping
or information and retrieval systems – without the written permission
of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Designed by Louise Brody
Printed in France
Photo credits:
© Vincent Muracciole 2007: pages 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 (no. 4), 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22
© Jupiterimages Corporation: cover, pages 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 23
© iStockphoto.com/Andres Balcazar: page 5
© Frankfurt Book Fair/Hirth: page 21
© ICC archives: pages 12-13, 24