Accreditation Scheme for Bodies to issue Certificates of Origin for Free Trade Agreements
Information about the Scheme
In response to recommendations arising from the Review of Export Policies and Programs undertaken by Mr David Mortimer AO and Dr John Edwards, the Minister for Trade, Mr Crean, has decided that a new domestic accreditation framework will be developed to authorise bodies to issue Certificates of Origin (COO) under those Australian Free Trade Agreements which require the use of Certificates of Origin issued by an authorised body. This Scheme is currently being developed and will provide for the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) to administer the accreditation process.
When the Scheme commences, which is expected by early 2010, bodies interested in being an authorised body for the purpose of issuing COO will be able to apply to JAS-ANZ for accreditation. It is expected that completion of the accreditation process will take several months. When a body has been successful in achieving accreditation, JAS-ANZ will notify DFAT, which will undertake any necessary approval or notification requirements under relevant FTAs and advise the body when it can begin issuing COOs for particular FTAs.
Certificates of Origin are required under Australia’s existing Free Trade Agreements with Thailand and Singapore and under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2010. Under these FTAs, such certificates, which demonstrate the origin of the goods, are required in order to claim preferential tariff treatment.
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