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The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the largest, most representative business organization in the world. Its hundreds of thousands of member companies in over 130 countries have interests spanning every sector of private enterprise.

A world network of national committees keeps the ICC International Secretariat in Paris informed about national and regional business priorities.






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The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the largest, most representative business organization in the world. Its hundreds of thousands of member companies in over 130 countries have interests spanning every sector of private enterprise.

A world network of national committees keeps the ICC International Secretariat in Paris informed about national and regional business priorities. More than 2,000 experts drawn from ICC’s member companies feed their knowledge and experience into crafting the ICC stance on specific business issues.

The fundamental mission of ICC is to promote trade and investment across frontiers and help business corporations meet the challenges and opportunities of globalization. Its conviction that trade is a powerful force for peace and prosperity dates from the organization’s origins early in the last century. The small group of far-sighted business leaders who founded ICC called themselves “the merchants of peace”.

ICC has three main activities: rules-setting, arbitration and policy. Because its member companies and associations are themselves engaged in international business, ICC has unrivalled authority in making rules that govern the conduct of business across borders. Although these rules are voluntary, they are observed in countless thousands of transactions every day and have become part of the fabric of international trade.

ICC enjoys a close working relationship with the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations, including the G8 and the World Trade Organization.

History

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 breath-taking 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.

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 large and small, drawn from all business sectors in every part of the world.

In today's global economy, its advocacy has never been more relevant to the interests of companies everywhere.

World Council, National Committees, and International Secretariat

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.

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.

ICC International Court of 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.

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 enforcement of such awards. The scrutiny of awards by the ICC Court is an added value of the ICC arbitration procedure that contributes to the enforceability.

BASCAP

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 program 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

The damage caused by counterfeiting and piracy includes:

- 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.

BASIS


ICC set up BASIS (Business Action to Support the Information Society) in mid-2006 to serve as the voice of businesses from around the world 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.

Governments and other actors are demanding a far greater voice in how these technologies are managed. Sharing experiences and pooling the expertise of governments, business and civil society is crucial to building understanding on these issues. Through the networks of ICC, BASIS ensures that business perspectives are taken into account.

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

ICC World Chambers Federation


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 which provides international recognition to the most innovative projects undertaken by chambers of commerce and industry 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 vast array of case studies not only from developed countries but also from developing and least-developed countries.

ATA Carnet 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 extensively used by business in most parts of the world, with approximately 150 000 issued every year for goods valued at about US $13.5 billion.

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 ICC WCF’s global stature and platform to develop and/or harmonize certification standards and procedures to benefit traders and customs administrations.

ICC Events


ICC Events brings the intelligence and state-of-the-art practices from a world-renowned group of legal and business experts directly to the public and to practitioners. These events cover a vast array of the some of the most pressing matters for global business, from arbitration and dispute resolution to banking techniques and practices, to piracy and counterfeiting.

ICC Events works closely with the International Court of Arbitration, the most respected body in its field, the renowned 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 like mediation, Incoterms, uniform customs and practice for documentary credits (UCP) and others.

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 the legal profession, 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 its annual meeting where some of the world's leading legal experts gather to share knowledge and expertise on a chosen topical issue. One of the aims of this conference is to create doctrine, the result of which is compiled in an annual publication, Dossiers of the Institute.

ICC Publications


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.

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 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 a Dossier based on its annual conference.

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 Commercial Crime Services


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.

From its base 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 are:

International Maritime Bureau (IMB): With the highest profile of CCS’s divisions, the IMB is the premier anti-piracy authority in the 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 Report is considered the most authoritative measure of maritime piracy in the shipping world. 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. Its current programme to stamp out counterfeit pharmaceuticals is gaining traction and its Counterfeit Report sets the industry standard.

See also

  • Incoterm
    Incoterm

    Incoterms or international commercial terms are a series of international sales terms widely used throughout the world. They are used to divide transaction costs and responsibilities between buyer and seller and reflect state-of-the-art transportation practices....
  • International Arbitration
    International arbitration

    International arbitration is the established method for resolving disputes between parties to international commercial agreements. As with arbitration generally, it is a creature of contract, i.e., the parties' decision to submit any disputes to private adjudication by one or more arbitrators appointed in accordance with rules the parties th...
  • Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits
    Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits

    The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits is a set of rules on the issuance and use of letters of credit. The UCP is utilised by bankers and commercial parties in more than 175 countries in trade finance....


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