Rules, standards & guidance

ICC plays a crucial role in facilitating global trade and supporting the stability and growth of the international economy. To help business, ICC develops practical tools, voluntary rules, standards and codes. These standards are widely adopted and contribute to efficient international trade.

ICC member companies develop rules in various areas: documentary credits, guarantees, international contracts, marketing and advertising, dispute resolution clauses, etc., to which they voluntarily adhere. These rules take a variety of forms: Incoterms rules, rules of practice for trade finance tools, self-regulation codes, model contracts, etc.

Developed within the ICC through transparent consultation procedures, they are applied daily by millions of companies, which find in them relevant tools to secure their international operations and set up robust internal procedures to facilitate their dialogue with the supervisory authorities.

They are regularly revised, with the help of the National Committees and their members, to adapt them to ongoing changes in international sales, purchasing, financing and dispute resolution practices, in a context of accelerating digitalisation.