The basic role of rules of origin (ROO) is the determination of the nationality of a particular good. This is necessary in the decision making process of granting preferential tariff treatment on imported goods. ROO was first introduced in the Agreement on the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). In 2010, the agreement was superseded by the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). ROO is applied by ASEAN Member States to determine whether goods qualify for preferential treatment under this Agreement and can be granted tariff preferences. 

To assist ASEAN Member States in the implementation of the ROO under ATIGA, the Sub-Committee on ATIGA Rules of Origin (SC-AROO), which superseded the ASEAN Task Force on Rules of Origin (ROO-TF) upon the entry-into-force of the ATIGA in 2010, was established to:

1. simplify and strengthen the implementation of the ROO pursuant to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025;

2. monitor and review the implementation and operation of Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin) of the ATIGA taking into account the best practices of other regional and international trade agreements;

3. discuss matters pertaining to the ATIGA ROO; and

4. provide appropriate recommendations to relevant ASEAN Working Bodies on ROO, if requested, in developing ROO with FTA partners to ensure consistencies, as far as possible, and provide recommendations to link all regional ROO negotiations to the ATIGA ROO.

The SC-AROO shall ensure that the ROO implemented by ASEAN Member States is simplified, business-friendly and trade-facilitative, to benefit the region’s trade, in particular the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to encourage them to expand, upgrade, and deepen their linkages within the region.