The Philippines' certification of origin mechanisms under RCEP
The RCEP Agreement provides for three certification of origin mechanisms, corresponding to three types of origin certification documents. These mechanisms are applied uniformly to goods seeking RCEP preferences, regardless of the export market within the RCEP region. Specifically:
- Issuance of a certificate of origin (C/O): The C/O is issued by the competent authority or designated issuing body of the exporting member country (commonly referred to as the traditional C/O issuance mechanism).
- Self-certification of origin by an approved exporter: Only approved exporters are allowed to self-certify the origin of goods on their commercial documents. Each RCEP member country determines the conditions that exporters must meet in order to qualify as approved exporters authorized to self-certify origin.
- Self-certification of origin by any exporter or producer: This mechanism allows any exporter or producer to self-certify the origin of goods on the relevant commercial documents.
This form of origin certification is the approach generally promoted in new-generation FTAs. However, all RCEP member countries have maintained reservations regarding the implementation schedule for this self-certification mechanism. In particular, Viet Nam and the Philippines have similar reservations, under which the mechanism will only begin to be implemented within 10 years from the date the RCEP Agreement enters into force, with a possible extension of up to an additional 10 years.
Source: Center for WTO and International Trade - VCCI
