Rules of origin under free trade agreements: compliance vs usability

According to the European Commission’s report, trade agreements have strengthened the EU’s global competitiveness, improved EU companies’ access to third-country markets, and supported exports in key sectors. However, their full potential is not yet realised, as EU FTAs remain underutilised in practice. Low preference utilisation is often associated with complex rules of origin, which in some cases function as a form of hidden protectionism, alongside administrative burdens and limited awareness among traders. The overview below brings together key insights from discussions held during the 33rd Authors’ Meeting.