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< Back < Previous | Next > Navigating Geopolitical Risk in a Fractured World Tom Scott 1 Dec 2025 In a global landscape marked by geopolitical tension, regulatory fragmentation and increasingly fragile supply chains, businesses face risks that are more complex – and more consequential – than ever. To explore how organisations can navigate this uncertainty, we spoke with Tobias Wellner, a Senior Analyst at global specialist risk consultancy Control Risks. Navigating Geopolitical Risk in a Fractured World An interview with Tobias Wellner, Senior Analyst, Control Risks In a global landscape marked by geopolitical tension, regulatory fragmentation and increasingly fragile supply chains, businesses face risks that are more complex – and more consequential – than ever. To explore how organisations can navigate this uncertainty, we spoke with Tobias Wellner , a Senior Analyst at global specialist risk consultancy Control Risks . Based in Berlin, Tobias focuses on geopolitics, sanctions, and trade restrictions, drawing on insights from Control Risks’ network of more than 90 analysts worldwide. His perspective is shaped not only by years advising multinational companies, but also by his earlier work in humanitarian aid and peacebuilding – including time spent on the frontlines of the South Sudan conflict – experience that continues to inform his approach to understanding and managing risk today. When we speak of geopolitical risk, which issues should business leaders pay most attention to in today’s environment? Tobias: I see two overarching trends that will shape global business more than anything else. The first is the growth in regulatory complexity. We’re seeing a revival of industrial policy and growing interventionism by governments, particularly in strategic sectors such as tech, defence and renewables. The competition between the US and China is the biggest driver of this: sanctions, tariffs, export controls are being implemented more and more by both sides. Just recently, China expanded export controls on rare earth technologies, and the US expanded its export restriction toolkit. A trade war truce agreed in October will remain fragile, with both sides remaining committed to longer term strategic competition. Their trade restriction measures (often masked as protective actions) will ripple through global supply chains, creating enormous challenges for compliance teams. Companies will need stronger internal capabilities in sanctions, trade controls and regulatory analysis. And this isn’t just about the US and China. As a result of increasing global complexities, we are seeing the rise of the so-called Middle Powers: countries like Mexico, Brazil, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, South Africa, Vietnam and Indonesia. These countries are really stepping up their own regulatory regimes to bolster the growth of their economies. The second trend is the rising disregard for territorial integrity. We are going to see even more regional conflicts. This will have obvious impacts for companies going forward, increasing particularly operational and security risks. Companies will have to make sure their people are safe during war incidents, or how to travel safely, and manage security incidents. Not only will supply chains be impacted, but there will also be greater reputational risks. Employees, investors and the wider society will expect businesses to take clearer stances on conflicts and political issues. How should companies balance the tension between needing to take bold strategic bets in uncertain times and the urge to be overly cautious? Tobias: There’s no clear-cut answer to this formula, but there are a few aspects to consider. First, business decision-makers need a really good inflow of geopolitical risk analysis, rather than today’s newspaper headlines. We often work with companies to develop geopolitical scenarios – each with clear assumptions, indicators and triggers. We are transitioning towards a much more fragmented and flexible trade system, one that’s defined by the diversification of global supply chains. The companies that are going to survive are the ones that can operate across diverging regulatory frameworks and remain agile amidst a growing number of conflicts and regulatory pressures – while finding a balance between cautious and strategic decision-making. Second, companies must move from reactive crisis management to embedded resilience. In practice, this means accepting that volatility is normal rather than exceptional. The shift from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ is real. However, this brings its own risks: if volatility is normalised, then everything is a potential crisis. This, in turn, makes a company’s ability to prioritise, plan and innovate much more difficult. Geopolitical risks and the supply chain – how effective or sustainable are strategies like near-shoring, friend-shoring, and supply chain decoupling? Tobias: Few companies have the ability or willingness to completely decouple for certain markets, such as China. What we see instead is diversification; a mix of near-shoring and friend-shoring combined with multi-route, multi-supplier strategies. After years of disruptions – the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, tariff wars – companies and governments are now pricing in volatility. Supply chain disruptions, extreme weather events, or new tariffs are no longer surprises. They are part of the new operating reality. How can companies sift out the important information in all the noise of this unpredictable world? Tobias: There are a lot of headlines, a lot of noise. Everyone is bombarded with this. You need to listen to the noise, but you also need to learn how to identify the underlying music – the patterns and drivers that matter for your business. Scenario analysis helps. Strong internal compliance teams help. Partnerships with local stakeholders help. But above all, you need a disciplined process for connecting geopolitical developments to business decisions. What shifts in the geopolitical order will most shape global business over the next 5–10 years? Tobias: Three stand out. The first is a more complex, loosely multipolar system. The US is retreating in some areas; China is recalibrating its global engagement; and many regional powers are becoming more assertive. International organisations like the UN will still matter, but mostly as diplomatic forums – not as strong rule-setters. Expect more bilateral deals and regional blocs. The second is a key defining threat, one that we've been talking about for a very long time: climate change. The world in general is just not ready for the fast-paced changes that will come our way from a climate change perspective. I think everyone – companies and societies – should expect much more supply chain disruptions and supply chain shifting because of climate-induced disruptions. Especially, but not exclusively, in emerging markets. And third – on a personal level, I am quite worried about democratic backsliding. This is not just for my own love of democracy, but also from a business point of view. Democratic processes such as elections, institutions, regulatory processes: if these are not transparent anymore, this will disrupt the equal playing field. And that will be harmful for the economy at large. But there is good news too: countries in the Global South are really accelerating the diversification of their trade and foreign relations. This is a response to geopolitical volatility; these countries want to move away from dependence on just the US market, just the EU or China. We will see many more trade links such as the new trade deals between Mexico and Brazil, Vietnam’s outreach to the Global South, or the Gulf States’ massive investments in Africa. This will create opportunities for companies to benefit from these increasing south-south trade corridors. How does your experience in humanitarian aid, conflict analysis and peacebuilding connect with business-focused geopolitical risk? Tobias: I think there are two lessons from the humanitarian world that matter enormously for business. First: local conflict analysis. When you operate in a war zone, understanding your environment is a matter of survival. That same principle applies to global companies. If you don’t truly understand the political, social and security dynamics in the places you operate, you expose your business, your people, and your reputation to unnecessary risk. Second: humanitarian organisations understand that risk can’t be avoided; it can only be managed. For example, my current employer is called Control Risks, not Avoid Risks. The humanitarian sector takes calculated risks based on in-depth situational knowledge. That’s a skill businesses increasingly need. There’s also a deeper connection: peacebuilding strengthens the security environment on which all economic activity depends. And practically, humanitarians often have the best local networks – government, civil society and community leaders. Companies planning new operations can benefit enormously from these local perspectives. If you could offer CEOs one piece of geopolitical advice, what would it be? Tobias: The global operating environment is going to remain unstable and geopolitics won’t become simpler. We are in a transition to a more fragmented, flexible and conflict-prone world. Invest in understanding your operating environment, building strategies for agility, not stability. Control Risks | Global Risk Consultancy

< Back < Previous | Next > Governance Guidance on Responsible Business in Challenging Contexts 25 Jul 2024 ICC has issued guidance to support businesses faced with challenging situations that cause stay-or-leave dilemmas, requiring crisis management and due diligence to identify, prevent and mitigate the impacts of company decisions on human rights, society and the conflict.  Why a guide on responsible business conduct? In situations of conflict, such as an armed conflict, a gross human rights violation, the imposition of trade sanctions, or a governance crisis, such as a coup d’état, businesses are expected to understand their role and the risks of business involvement in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law. When a crisis evolves, companies are under pressure from stakeholders to take prompt action, including deciding whether to remain in or exit the market, while sumultaneaously assessing the impacts on people, communities and society more broadly. These expectations can be daunting for companies, in particular, when they do not have the prerequisites or a developed strategy to act responsibly in these contexts. How does the guide on responsible business conduct support executives? By implementing this guidance and establishing an adapted tactical planning programme for high-risk countries of operation, a company can set a solid foundation for a crisis response. Companies can support their remain-or-exit resolutions with sound evidence-based due diligence, through engagement with stakeholders, with due consideration of the company’s responsibilities, and by applying creative leverage. Which steps can companies take to ensure responsible business conduct in challenging contexts? Ensure the safety of its workforce as a first priority Avoid rushing into a decision under pressure of circumstance or scrutiny Respect the human rights of affected stakeholders, including employees and workers in the supply chain and consumers and impacted communities Use their leverage to mitigate adverse human rights impacts Use collaborative platforms for shared assessments and responses to crises Guidance on Responsible Business in Challenging Contexts Download

< Back < Previous | Next > Business integrity Five working groups, one mission: ICC Netherlands puts business integrity into practice 17 Jun 2026 From sanctions to boardroom ethics, the ICC Netherlands Business Integrity Commission is turning hard questions into practical tools that companies can actually use. Here is what its five working groups are building, and how you can take part. Five working groups, one mission: ICC Netherlands puts business integrity into practice Doing business with integrity has rarely been more complicated, or more important. Sanctions regimes shift from one week to the next, enforcement priorities are changing across the globe, due-diligence rules keep expanding, and boards are asked to make difficult calls under real pressure. At the same time, smaller companies and supply-chain partners often lack the resources of large multinationals to keep up. Bringing together compliance officers, in-house and external lawyers, bankers, auditors and corporates from across the Dutch business community, the Commission works through five focused working groups, each tackling a concrete challenge and producing practical, shareable guidance. At its meeting on 16 June 2026, all five reported real progress, with the first deliverables due to be published in the months ahead. The approach is deliberately collaborative. Rather than producing theory, the groups draw on the day-to-day experience of leading Dutch and international companies and advisers, and aim to deliver tools that any organization, from a multinational to an SME, can pick up and apply. What the working groups are building Sanctions: managing complexity, risk and responsibility This group is developing a set of minimum standards together with plain-language one-pagers that explain sanctions to non-specialists, supported by simple visual guides. Because sanctions law changes so rapidly, the materials are designed to build awareness, helping any employee recognise the warning signs and know when to involve a specialist, rather than to replace expert advice. The documents will be published under ICC Netherlands and shared with ICC's Global Commission, with a launch planned for the autumn. Anti-corruption, bribery and conflicts of interest As enforcement priorities shift in some parts of the world, this group is making the case that high standards should not. It is preparing “The Integrity Advantage”, an accessible toolkit for SMEs covering red flags, a script for handling pressure, gifts and hospitality, and dilemma navigation, alongside a business-integrity statement for larger corporates and their supply chains. The message is simple: whatever the political climate, the commitment to do business honestly stays firm. The deliverables are targeted for completion in October 2026. Integrated integrity & sustainability due diligence: “breaking silos” Many companies run separate checks for compliance, sustainability, cyber and data privacy, etc, often asking the same supplier to complete several questionnaires. This group is building a practical guide, including model contract clauses, to help organisations join these processes up into a single, more efficient approach to due diligence. The result combines the legal framework with real-world best practice and a clear business case. Boardroom ethics, governance and decision-making under pressure This group has nearly completed a comparative legal benchmark on the personal liability of board members across European jurisdictions, covering criminal, civil and administrative law. Building on that foundation, it is developing a board-level masterclass, using real-life crisis and pressure scenarios, to help directors navigate the grey-zone decisions that rules alone cannot resolve. The aim is to make ethics a practical, everyday part of how boards lead. Corporate benchmarking of compliance programmes How should a compliance function actually be organized? centralised, decentralised, and who should it report to? This group runs a candid, corporate-only forum under the Chatham House Rule, where companies compare how their programmes work and share best practices. Its first exchange looked at the governance of the compliance function, with the clear conclusion that there is no single blueprint, which is precisely why sharing and learning directly from peers is so valuable. Building towards the Week of Integrity The Commission's work feeds directly into the Week of Integrity 2026, which this year celebrates its 10th edition under the theme “Leading with Integrity in a Digital Age.” The main week runs from 26 to 30 October in The Hague, part of a year-round programme involving more than 110 partners, from a July webinar with Microsoft to the central seminar on 29 October and a closing event to follow. It is a trusted platform for the conversations that have no easy answers, and a chance for organisations to show that integrity is something they act on, not just talk about. Get involved The strength of the Commission comes from the people around the table. Whether your organisation can contribute expertise to a working group, share a good practice, host an event, or simply wants to stay close to the latest thinking on business integrity, there is a place for you. Interested in joining a working group or becoming a partner? Get in touch with the ICC Netherlands team via info@icc.nl , we would be glad to tell you more and help you find the right fit.

< Back < Previous | Next > Global Insights Harmonised AI standards to reduce fragmented global rules 11 Jul 2025 This ICC policy paper highlights how divergent AI regulations across countries can lead to fragmented global markets and increased business costs. ICC calls for greater coordination on the development of international, market-driven AI standards, to bridge legal differences, reduce compliance burdens, improve market access and enhance cross-border innovation. Download How can international, market-driven AI standards reduce fragmented global AI governance for business? As AI systems become integral to business operations worldwide, fragmented governance approaches create significant challenges for companies of all sizes. When different jurisdictions develop their own AI policies, laws and regulations, businesses face: Increased compliance costs arising from navigating complex regulatory landscapes Market access barriers that limit where they can operate Innovation constraints that slow cross-border collaboration. These challenges are particularly acute for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which lack the resources to manage complex, jurisdiction-specific requirements. International, market-driven standards are consensus-based guidelines that define how technologies should perform, interact and remain safe. They provide practical guidance that works across multiple legal frameworks, essentially creating a common language for AI governance globally. Potential overlaps, duplications and divergences in AI standards Achieving internationally interoperable AI governance is significantly hindered by overlapping standardisation efforts, inconsistent terminology across different frameworks and limited awareness of existing AI standards. These issues contribute to market fragmentation and a complex regulatory landscapes, with regional or national bodies – sometimes even within the same country – issuing overlapping or even competing guidance. At the same time, the use of standards processes to advance specific policy agendas rather than technical excellence, creates standards that may not serve broader global or business needs. Without better coordination, these standardisation efforts risk adding complexity instead of reducing it, increasing compliance costs (which are especially burdensome for SMEs), and impeding cross-border collaboration and innovation. ICC recommendations: How can policymakers make AI standards work globally? Promote strategic alignment in AI standards-development to reflect market needs and avoid duplication. Ensure domestic and local expert participation in shaping market-driven standards. Prioritise global, industry-driven standards over national or regional-only approaches. Champion multistakeholder collaboration through transparent, inclusive processes. Leverage existing standards in regulation to streamline compliance and build trust. Use standards in public procurement to support adoption and open markets to SMEs. Support company participation with funding, incentives, and training. Enhance awareness and education to build capacity for implementing AI standards.

< Back < Previous | Next > Trade & Investment Why services can’t realistically be tariffed and shouldn’t be 4 Jun 2025 New ICC brief outlines why tariffs on cross-border services are unworkable and what policymakers should do instead. In today’s digital economy, cross-border services are essential to how businesses operate, grow and compete. But while goods have long been subject to customs tariffs, applying tariffs to services would be both impractical and create significant legal, operational, and economic risks. This is because services are fundamentally different from goods, making them virtually unworkable to tax at borders. Unlike physical products that customs agents can see and inspect, services are intangible—think of things like consulting, software, or design work—that often cross borders digitally or through the movement of people, rather than in shipping containers. This creates multiple challenges: there is no clear moment when a service ‘enters’ a country, no global classification system comparable to the Harmonized System for goods, and no consistent method to assess what should be taxed. Even when governments try to tax cross-border services – such as digital services taxes (DSTs) or withholding regimes – they face legal challenges, high enforcement costs, and risks of international retaliation, as these approaches often violate established rules or conflict with trade and tax agreements. In contrast, some countries have opted for a more neutral approach by applying VAT to cross-border services —treating domestic and foreign providers equally. Beyond feasibility, there is also a strong economic argument to be made against tariffs on services. Services account for more than half of global trade on a value-added basis and are vital enablers of productivity, innovation, and inclusion. Imposing tariffs would raise costs, fragment global supply chains, and disproportionately harm MSMEs and developing economies that rely on affordable cross-border services to grow and compete, including legal advice, design, IT support and marketing. Tariffs on services would also increase compliance burdens and administrative costs for governments, requiring entirely new systems to monitor digital transactions, register providers, and audit contracts. Exporters would not be spared either: many countries are net exporters of services in areas like finance, education, and media. Tariff measures could trigger retaliation and reduce market access for these firms. In short: services can’t realistically be tariffed – and they shouldn’t be. Instead, policymakers should: Reaffirm multilateral norms by supporting the continuation of the WTO E-Commerce Moratorium and rejecting tariffs on services. Avoid unilateral tariff-like measures — such as DSTs or withholding regimes —that risk legal conflict, trade retaliation, and fragmentation. Pursue multilateral cooperation through appropriate multilateral and regional bodies to develop common rules for the taxation of the digital economy. Download

< Back < Previous | Next > Geopolitics Navigating Uncertainty, Driving Solution 21 Mar 2025 Geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and regulatory uncertainty continue to shape the international business landscape. Tariffs are increasing, supply chains are under pressure, and new EU regulations are redefining sustainability expectations. In this evolving environment, businesses must remain agile and proactive. At ICC, we see these challenges as a call to engage, not retreat. Whether through trade facilitation, arbitration, or sustainable trade finance, our mission is to help businesses navigate complexity and advocate for open markets. This was the key message of Philippe Varin, chair of the International Chamber of Commerce during his visit to the Netherlands last month. www.cityam.com International trade in the era of Trump 2.0 - how will the ICC adapt? Philippe Varin, chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, is stewarding the kind of globalist institution which Trump instinctively distrusts. He speaks to Eliot Wilson about championing free trade in an era of protectionism Key Themes This Month: Geopolitics & Trade Tensions : How will economic nationalism and tariffs impact global business? Read our interview with Bart Jan Koopman for insights into 2025 trade developments. Sustainability & Compliance : The EU Omnibus Proposal is redefining ESG reporting. Should businesses scale back compliance efforts or strengthen their sustainability strategies? The Future of Trade Rules : Despite regulatory uncertainty, progress is being made in trade digitalization. The long-overdue reform to recognize Digital Trade Documents in the Netherlands is finally moving forward Key Developments: • Trade finance is evolving to support sustainable supply chains. This month, Standard Chartered became the first international bank to fully align with ICC Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance, setting a precedent for greater transparency, due diligence, and accountability. More financial institutions are expected to follow. • Growing reliance on ICC dispute resolution – New 2024 figures show that businesses are turning to ICC arbitration and mediation more than ever, especially for B2G disputes. The 20th ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition also kicked off in Paris, highlighting the increasing role of mediation in resolving global business conflicts. Read our interview with Jeremy Lack on the evolving landscape of mediation. • ICC remains committed to free trade – As the G20 Presidency moves to South Africa, ICC sees new opportunities for international cooperation. John Denton, ICC-WBO Secretary General, emphasizes: “As the first African nation to hold the G20 Presidency, South Africa has a unique opportunity to build coalitions and revitalize the multilateral trading system.” Stay Engaged & Informed ICC Strategic Priorities 1. Tackling Trade Barriers 2. Promoting Access to Justice, Integrity, and Rule of Law 3. Advancing Climate Action and Sustainability 4. Accelerating Trade Digitalisation 5. Strengthening Multilateralism

< Back < Previous | Next > Taxes Recent Developments in the World of Tax 17 Feb 2025 The ICC is at the forefront of global tax discussions, ensuring that businesses have a strong voice in shaping fair and effective tax policies. From VAT regulations to the development of a United Nations (UN) tax framework, ICC works to create a tax environment that fosters trade, investment, and economic growth. VAT & Tariffs The recent policy brief issued by the ICC clarifies the distinctions between VAT and import tariffs, emphasizing VAT’s positive role in global trade. This comes in response to concerns raised by the U.S. in the ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ about VAT potentially discriminating against American businesses. In the VAT system, businesses act as intermediaries that collect and remit the tax at each stage of the supply chain, but the final cost is absorbed by the end consumer. This structure ensures that VAT is effectively a consumption tax, with each participant in the supply chain reclaiming the VAT on their inputs so that the tax burden accumulates only at the final point of sale. As a result, VAT, is inherently neutral and non-discriminatory toward foreign businesses, reinforcing its role as a fair and efficient mechanism in international trade.Recognising these benefits, the ICC has been at the forefront of these discussions, advocating for balanced VAT policies that help eliminate unnecessary trade obstacles. More information on the role of VAT in international trade can be found here. The UN Tax Convention: ICC Representing Business Interests In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly established an intergovernmental negotiating committee to draft an UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. This process, running from 2025 to 2027, aims to create a clear and fair global tax framework that improves cooperation between countries. On 16 August 2024, the UN Ad Hoc Committee approved the Terms of Reference for the convention, marking a significant milestone in the process of developing new cross-border taxation rules. This approval sets the stage for future negotiations, shaping policies that will impact businesses globally. ICC has been actively involved in these discussions to ensure that the convention: • Promotes tax certainty and aligns with existing international frameworks. • Encourages investment, job creation, and sustainable economic growth. • Includes meaningful engagement with businesses throughout the negotiation process. Key Concerns and ICC’s Advocacy Efforts During the negotiations, ICC Global Policy Lead on Taxation, Luisa Scarcella, welcomed the inclusion of stakeholder participation in the drafting process but expressed concerns over the absence of explicit taxpayer safeguards in the final text. Additionally, the ICC emphasized the necessity for broad international coordination to ensure consistency with existing frameworks. Concerns were also raised about the ambitious timeline for negotiating the taxation of crossborder services, particularly regarding its potential economic impact on developing countries. ICC’s Commitment to Business-Friendly Tax Policies The ICC remains committed to working closely with policymakers to ensure balanced and effective tax policies that support global trade and investment. By actively participating in UN negotiations and advocating for business-friendly tax frameworks, ICC is shaping a more predictable and fair international tax system. Stay informed about ICC’s tax initiatives and how we’re working to protect business interests worldwide. Timeline 2025 The following is a timeline of the ICC’s Global Tax Commission for the remainder of 2025, with all dates subject to final confirmation and potential adjustments.

< Back < Previous | Next > Global Response ICC warns trade uncertainty is undermining global business confidence 2 Jun 2025 Speaking live in an interview on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power show with hosts Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO discussed current trade policy tensions and what it means for the international business community. Mr Denton said uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and trade policy is acting as a “tax” on international businesses. “What we’re seeing on a global basis is heightened levels of uncertainty,” He said, adding that the lack of clear direction on trade policy is shaking business confidence and disrupting global trade planning. Citing a recent Pulse survey of ICC’s global business network to assess the impact of newly announced US tariff measures, Mr Denton highlighted the growing challenges for small businesses. Conducted across 68 countries the survey shows that 77% of firms report direct or knock-on risks from the tariffs, and 48% say the measures have already impacted their supply chains or market strategy. “What that tells you is that small businesses are really feeling this as well, and they do not have the resources that large businesses do. It’s just problematic, and even for large business this is very complicated,” he said Mr Denton called for continued international cooperation citing ICC’s long-standing support for a multilateral rules-based trading system. “The reason we’ve been able to see a decline in poverty globally is because we actually have rules-based trading systems operating,” he said Watch the interview here .

< Back < Previous | Next > Arbitration from the Corporate Perspective Tom Scott 31 Mar 2026 A conversation with Huie (Sandy) Huang Arbitration from the Corporate Perspective We cover the subject of arbitration every month in the ICC Netherlands newsletter. Until now, we have never interviewed an in-house lawyer with experience of arbitration from the corporate standpoint. Aiming to broaden our knowledge, we spoke to Huie Huang, who has worked on several arbitration cases in recent years and is now Compliance Data Counsel at TIP Group. Having studied law in the Netherlands and China and worked in Dubai, Shenzhen, Rome and now Amsterdam as an in-house lawyer dealing with international contracts and disputes, Huie brings a global perspective to dispute resolution. In this interview, she shares what arbitration looks like from the corporate side and offers practical advice for in-house counsel navigating international disputes. What does arbitration look like from your position of in-house counsel? Arbitration serves as a strategy to manage disputes while protecting the commercial interests of the company. Arbitration offers practical advantages: neutrality, procedural flexibility, enforceability and confidentiality are all reasons why a company would choose arbitration. The frequency of arbitration cases depends on the company’s industry and risk preference, but also the geography and the nature of the contract. So this is the connection with the geographical location of the parties? Indeed. In my experience working with large transaction cross-border contracts – in the Middle East or Africa, for example – where the counterparty is located in a different jurisdiction, we would prefer to use arbitration rather than litigation to resolve a dispute. Do all contracts have a dispute resolution clause? A standard contract template should normally include a dispute resolution clause; this could be litigation or arbitration. The company may have a different preference, but all this is included in the dispute resolution clause. And what makes a good dispute resolution clause? It’s really important to draft it in a very effective and clear way. That’s because the dispute might not happen until years later; maybe 10 years later for contracts in, for example, the telecom or construction industry. If the clause is poorly drafted, the potential consequences can be costly. Consent is the cornerstone of arbitration; the parties’ intention to resolve disputes through arbitration must be clearly expressed in the contract. You also need to identify the arbitration institution and the seat of arbitration. You can, of course, use a template provided by the arbitration institution. The ICC has this. You can customise the template for your own purposes. Is the ICC the most commonly used arbitration institution? I would say it’s one of the most commonly used institutions. Because of its well-developed arbitration rules and clear procedure structure, the ICC is a very good choice for an arbitration institution. In terms of the scrutiny of the decision, the ICC definitely has advantages compared to some other institutions. The first arbitration case I handled was an ICC arbitration. Can a company take on an arbitration case without an arbitration institution? It is an option, but in practice, I see that companies prefer to use an arbitration institution because it provides the structured framework and administrative support that makes the process more efficient. What factors come into play when a company has to select an arbitrator? Selecting the arbitrator is one of the most challenging and painful points for in-house counsel when dealing with an arbitration case. It’s not like reaching out to a law firm; arbitrators are normally independent. When we select arbitrators, we first consider neutrality and expertise. And because arbitration cases often involve technical issues, it is important that arbitrators have not only strong legal experience but also knowledge of the relevant industry. From a corporate perspective, an arbitrator must be able to understand the technical aspects of the dispute, identify liability and assess damages. An arbitrator who combines strong legal expertise with a clear understanding of commercial reality is therefore highly valued. Why can choosing an arbitrator be painful? Because the arbitrator is really the key factor in the arbitration procedure – they will give the final word. So if you choose the wrong person, it can ruin the case and affect the final result. What role does the seat of arbitration play, and what do companies look for when choosing one? It much depends on a company’s internal policy and its risk considerations. In some cases, companies choose a seat that is geographically close. If the arbitration takes place far away, travel and accommodation costs can become significant. Another key factor is neutrality. When parties come from different jurisdictions, they often prefer an arbitration-friendly country. What about the Netherlands as a seat of arbitration? The Netherlands is a strong option. Many international companies have their European or global headquarters here, which creates a large number of commercial relationships. The country also benefits from experienced arbitration practitioners, particularly in The Hague. More broadly, companies consider whether the seat offers a reliable legal framework, accessible facilities, and a well-known legal system where qualified lawyers and arbitration professionals are readily available. What advice would you give to in-house counsel handling their first arbitration case? My first message is simple: don’t panic. Arbitration is different from court litigation, and it takes time to become familiar with the process. One of the most important steps is to assemble the right team early. This includes not only external counsel but sometimes technical experts as well. At the same time, strong internal coordination is essential. In-house lawyers need support from management, colleagues who know the project well, and sometimes employees who may act as witnesses or experts during the proceedings. Another point that is often underestimated is the workload; arbitration requires significant internal coordination, and gathering the necessary materials can be a major task for in-house counsel. Managing expectations is also crucial; it is important to explain the process clearly to management and ensure they understand the time and resources required. At the same time, arbitration offers some flexibility. There is always the possibility of settlement during the proceedings, which can help reduce time and costs. Arbitration is demanding but very interesting, combining legal reasoning with commercial insight – I feel very privileged to be working as in-house counsel.

Latest News Filter by Category Select Category Enter your email* Subscribe I want to receive monthly newsletter and updates from ICC Netherlands. * 7 Jul 2026 Leading with Integrity in the Age of Agentic AI: lessons from inside Microsoft A recap of our Week of Integrity webinar with Susan Du Becker, Director Risk & Compliance at Microsoft. Read More 6 Jul 2026 Trade & Global Economy The price of not knowing A closer look at ICC Global’s The Cost of Uncertainty on Investment report Read More 6 Jul 2026 Digital Trade Two ICC signals on AI: a practical guide for SMEs, and a global business voice for the UN ICC has released a practical AI Self-Assessment Guide for SMEs, and coordinated the global business voice for the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance. Two signals in the same direction. Read More 6 Jul 2026 Integrity The Paradox of AI in Ethics and Compliance: When Compliance Tools Create New Risks AI is transforming ethics and compliance, but the tools designed to reduce risk can also create new ethical challenges. This session explores a practical five-pillar framework to help compliance professionals assess AI responsibly before deployment. Read More 5 Jul 2026 Dispute Resolution The 2026 Rules are in force. And Dutch arbitration is on the rise. The 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules are now in force, and the 2025 statistics tell a striking Dutch story: the Netherlands has more than tripled as a seat of arbitration in a single year. Read More 3 Jul 2026 Integrity Towards humane use of AI Artificial Intelligence is transforming the financial sector, creating new opportunities while raising important questions about responsibility, transparency and professional judgement. This session explores how professionals can use AI responsibly, ensuring that technology supports, rather than replaces, human expertise, integrity and client trust. Read More 1 Jul 2026 Trade & Global Economy The 2026 ICC Open Market Index: what the G7 tells us about the trading environment Dutch business operates in The US adopted 75,000 more restrictive trade measures in 2025 than a decade earlier. What the 2026 ICC Open Market Index tells Dutch business about the environment we now trade in. Read More 26 Jun 2026 Sanctions and export controls in 2026: where Dutch business is most exposed The Dutch FIOD has set up a dedicated sanctions team, and the catch-all controls now reach into common consumer goods. At our second Digital Business Lunch, Floor Koops and Ruud Altena set out where Dutch business is most exposed. Read More 17 Jun 2026 Integrity Five working groups, one mission: ICC Netherlands puts business integrity into practice From sanctions to boardroom ethics, the ICC Netherlands Business Integrity Commission is turning hard questions into practical tools that companies can actually use. Here is what its five working groups are building, and how you can take part. Read More 5 Jun 2026 Digital Trade The green light for eBLs Electronic bills of lading become law in the Netherlands From 1 July 2026, electronic bills of lading have the same legal status as paper in the Netherlands. At our first Digital Business Lunch, ING and Philips set out what Dutch business should do next. Read More 1 Jun 2026 Integrity Leading with integrity in a Digital Age By Sam Solaimani, Professor of Digital Technology, Innovation & Operations Management, Nyenrode Business Universiteit; Senior Managing Advisor, Berenschot Read More 1 Jun 2026 ICC Unveiling the 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules The 2026 ICC Rules of Arbitration entered into force on 1 June 2026. They define and regulate the management of cases received by the ICC International Court of Arbitration® from 1 June 2026 on.  Read More 1 Jun 2026 Climate & Sustainability Electrification, raw materials and Europe’s (lack of) competitiveness A conversation with Norbert Both, Senior Advisor at Publieke Zaken Read More 12 May 2026 Global Insights Europe has the diagnosis. Execution is missing ICC Netherlands General Assembly 2026: four voices on competitiveness, AI, energy and MedTech – and the one challenge they all converge on Read More 11 May 2026 ICC Understanding leadership: a series of interviews from ICC Netherlands Interview with Fabia Tetteroo-Bueno Read More 11 May 2026 Digital Trade Get your business ready for digital trade: meet the ICC Digital Trade Navigator With the Netherlands’ new electronic bill of lading law in force, this exclusive ICC member benefit could not be more timely. Join one of the onboarding sessions on 28 May. Read More 11 May 2026 ICC Policy uncertainty cost businesses US$202 billion in 2025 - and the stakes for 2026 are bigger A new ICC report with Oxford Economics puts a price tag on policy volatility. Read More 6 May 2026 Integrity Whistleblowing Management Webinar Insights from a webinar on Whistleblowing Management Systems during ICC Integrity Week Read More 6 May 2026 Marketing & Advertising Trust as the through-line: inside the Global Marketing and Advertising Commission’s London meeting ICC Global Marketing and Advertising Commission — 28 April 2026, London Read More 6 May 2026 Dispute Resolution Preventing Disputes Before They Arise: Strategic Tools in Investment and Commercial Arbitration Read More 21 Apr 2026 Trade & Global Economy Customs at an inflection point Four trends shaping global trade compliance in 2026 Read More 14 Apr 2026 Trade & Global Economy The new EU Customs Code What business needs to know — a practical guide to the most ambitious EU customs reform since 1968 Read More 6 Apr 2026 Trade & Global Economy Reflections on a career in international trade: Bart Jan Koopman on the ‘new normal’, survival mode, and the future of global commerce “Optimism is almost a responsibility. Without a healthy dose of optimism and perseverance, you won’t get anywhere.” Read More 1 Apr 2026 Digital Trade ICC Netherlands welcomes adoption of eBL legislation Electronic bills of lading now legally recognised under Dutch law, supporting faster and safer trade flows Read More 1 Apr 2026 Trade & Global Economy WTO MC14: A fragile outcome at a critical moment for global trade The outcome of WTO MC14 highlights growing strain on the multilateral trading system. With no agreement on key issues such as reform and digital trade, uncertainty persists. Read More 31 Mar 2026 Dispute Resolution Arbitration from the Corporate Perspective A conversation with Huie (Sandy) Huang Read More 25 Mar 2026 Digital Trade Orchestrating the back office of the future: why the human factor is becoming the primary vulnerability As financial institutions digitalise their back offices, fraud is evolving from technical breaches to human manipulation. What does this shift mean for control, governance and risk in increasingly automated environments? Read More 23 Mar 2026 Integrity Shifting the perspective of ethics and compliance by focusing on return-on-investment Compliance is often treated as overhead until the costs of non-compliance show up in legal fees, disruption, and lost trust. This post explains how you can reframe ethics and compliance as a value protecting system and shows how ROI language helps shift compliance from the department of no to an active safeguard and contributor of enterprise value. Read More 23 Mar 2026 Dispute Resolution ICC Executive Board approves revised Rules of Arbitration The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has approved a revised version of its Rules of Arbitration. The new Rules will enter into force on 1 June 2026. Read More 23 Mar 2026 Integrity OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum 2026 At the 2026 OECD Integrity Forum, integrity and responsible business conduct emerged as strategic, data-driven drivers of competitiveness, requiring stronger integration with ESG, risk management and governance. Read More 20 Mar 2026 Marketing & Advertising ICC launches guidance on responsible AI in marketing As AI transforms marketing practices, ICC’s new guidance helps businesses apply established advertising standards to ensure transparency, accountability and consumer trust. Read More 17 Mar 2026 Digital Trade ICC launches global policy paper on preventing online and ICT-enabled fraud Read More 3 Mar 2026 Dispute Resolution The bigger picture of arbitration A conversation with Marc Krestin, Partner at Fieldfisher Read More 3 Mar 2026 Trade & Global Economy “Geopolitics is back in the boardroom”: a conversation with Marhijn Visser Ahead of WTO MC14, shifting trade dynamics and geopolitical pressures are directly affecting supply chain resilience, digital trade continuity and long-term planning; we discuss what Dutch business should anticipate and how engagement can strengthen predictability. Read More 2 Mar 2026 Trade & Global Economy “How Europe can stay economically strong in an age of geopolitical rivalry”: A conversation with Arend Jan Boekestijn As geopolitical rivalry increasingly shapes technology leadership, supply chains and energy security, European competitiveness depends on strategic coherence and institutional reform. We explore what this shift means for growth, resilience and long-term investment planning. Read More 27 Feb 2026 Integrity Boards under the microscope: from compliance to ethical stewardship As regulatory complexity, geopolitical pressure and AI reshape the risk landscape, how can boards transform ethics from a control function into a driver of long-term value, and what does this shift mean for today’s compliance leaders? Read More 27 Feb 2026 Trade & Global Economy Shaping the next chapter of global trade: the business agenda for MC14 Ahead of WTO MC14, 145 business organisations are urging reform and renewal of the digital trade Moratorium. This will have direct implications on legal certainty, cross-border data flows and the competitiveness of Dutch companies operating globally. Read More 25 Feb 2026 Climate & Sustainability CBAM enters a definitive phase: what businesses need to know With CBAM now in its definitive phase, carbon exposure has become a financial and operational reality for importers. What does this mean for margins, customs compliance and supply chain strategy in 2026 and beyond? Read More 25 Feb 2026 Climate & Sustainability COP 31 - Implementation is the real test As preparations for COP31 move forward, climate policy is shifting from targets to delivery, with new finance rules, carbon markets and trade measures increasingly shaping investment conditions, risk management and competitiveness for internationally active Dutch businesses. Read More 25 Feb 2026 Trade & Global Economy Will the UN Tax Framework reinforce certainty or create new fragmentations? UN negotiations on a new tax framework are entering a decisive drafting phase, with potential implications for treaty networks, service taxation and dispute resolution. These developments could have a substantial impact on internationally active Dutch businesses. Read More 24 Feb 2026 Digital Trade EU AI Omnibus - ICC’s position How will the EU’s AI and Digital Omnibus adjustments affect compliance costs, cross-border data flows and AI deployment strategies? We examine the practical implications for Dutch and internationally active companies as negotiations move forward. Read More 3 Feb 2026 Digital Trade Join the ICC Global Digital Trade Sandbox Digital trade is moving from ambition to execution. The ICC Global Digital Trade Sandbox offers companies a unique, vendor-neutral environment to test real digital trade processes, contribute to global pilots, and help shape the future of cross-border trade. Read More 3 Feb 2026 Dispute Resolution A Deeper Dive into the Importance of Dispute-Resolution Clauses Dispute-resolution clauses are often treated as boilerplate — but they are anything but. In our latest interview, Marieke Schaink explains why getting them right is a core element of risk management in international contracts. Read More 3 Feb 2026 Trade & Global Economy What Geopolitical Fragmentation Means for International Business Geopolitical fragmentation is no longer a risk scenario, it is the operating environment. In our interview, Michael Every unpacks what today’s geopolitical shifts mean for international business, and why companies must rethink strategy, resilience and assumptions. Read More 29 Jan 2026 Trade & Global Economy WTO reform at a critical juncture: business, policymakers and institutions in dialogue Keeping the multilateral trading system alive Ahead of the WTO Ministerial Conference, ICC Netherlands and VNO-NCW convened a timely round table on 29 January with business, policymakers and international institutions. The discussion confirmed one clear message: the system is under pressure, but indispensable — and reform is the only viable path forward. Read More 6 Jan 2026 Trade & Global Economy Intelligence-driven responses to geopolitical risk, espionage threats and cyber-attacks Geopolitical shocks, cyber-physical attacks and insider threats aren’t “emerging risks” anymore – they’re hitting companies now, and faster than leaders can update their plans. For our latest ICC Netherlands newsletter, we interviewed Tim Bosch (co-founder of the Birdwatcher Group) on why traditional scenario planning is collapsing, why every company is already a target, and why resilience can no longer be a project – it must embedded into your operating system. If your organisation isn’t preparing to pivot in days rather than quarters, it’s already behind Read More 6 Jan 2026 What ICC Members Can Expect from ICC Netherlands in 2026 In this New Year edition, ICC Netherlands outlines its strategic priorities for the year ahead, focusing on trade, integrity, dispute resolution, sustainability, leadership and digitalisation. Discover how we will work with our members, partners and global ICC network to strengthen Dutch business resilience in a rapidly changing world. Read More 2 Jan 2026 The Eight Key Benefits of ICC Arbitration for Business Disputes Read More 19 Dec 2025 Trade & Global Economy ICC warns of double taxation risks in latest UN tax talks As United Nations negotiations on a Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation continue, ICC warns that reforms risk creating new layers of double taxation. Following the latest round of talks in Nairobi, ICC states that expanding taxing rights without mandatory safeguards and relief from double taxation could undermine cross-border investment, strain tax administrations and weaken global growth. Read More 18 Dec 2025 Trade & Global Economy Revitalising the multilateral trading system: Call for action Ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), ICC calls on members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to launch a structured, time-bound WTO reform round and preserve the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions – essential steps to restore stability and confidence in global trade. Read More 17 Dec 2025 Dispute Resolution Joint ICC Arbitration Day: Key Takeaways Arbitration is evolving, fast. Missed the Joint ICC Arbitration Day? Catch the key moments: new ICC rules, Court insights, in-house expectations, and Europe’s shifting landscape. Read More 1 Dec 2025 Trade & Global Economy Navigating Geopolitical Risk in a Fractured World In a global landscape marked by geopolitical tension, regulatory fragmentation and increasingly fragile supply chains, businesses face risks that are more complex – and more consequential – than ever. To explore how organisations can navigate this uncertainty, we spoke with Tobias Wellner, a Senior Analyst at global specialist risk consultancy Control Risks. Read More 1 Dec 2025 Dispute Resolution International Arbitration: from a neutral’s perspective Continuing our series of interviews with arbitration experts, we spoke with Marieke Witkamp, a retired Dutch commercial judge now based in Houston, where she serves full-time as an international arbitrator. [...] In this interview, she reflects on the moment she truly understood the power of arbitration, the advantages it offers over litigation, and how dispute resolution continues to evolve across different sectors. Read More 27 Nov 2025 Dispute Resolution What Businesses Really Want to Know About Arbitration: Top Questions from Last Week’s ICC Workshop What questions do businesses really ask about arbitration? From sanctions and enforcement to confidentiality and clause drafting, discover the top questions businesses raised during our latest ICC arbitration workshop. Read More 26 Nov 2025 Trade & Global Economy The WTO’s hidden value Every time a product clears a border, every time a services firm invests abroad, or every time an innovator protects a patent overseas, they are relying on WTO rules, committees and monitoring systems designed to reduce risk and increase predictability. Read More 23 Nov 2025 Climate & Sustainability COP30 Falls Short of What the Global Economy Needs COP30 reaffirmed global commitment to the Paris Agreement, but its outcomes fall short of what the world economy urgently needs. Without clear pathways on adaptation, mitigation and finance, the private sector’s ability to deliver climate solutions at scale remains constrained. Read More 7 Nov 2025 Climate & Sustainability Updated Global Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications ICC has released its updated 2025 Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications, providing global guidance to ensure environmental claims are accurate, transparent and evidence-based. Read More 4 Nov 2025 Dispute Resolution The Silent Drain on Enterprise: The Economic Impact of Unresolved Commercial Disputes A new ICC–Oxera report reveals the staggering global cost of unresolved commercial disputes, which drain liquidity, suppress investment, and weaken trust in markets. The study highlights how affordable, digital dispute resolution can unlock growth, especially for SMEs, and strengthen justice as essential economic infrastructure. Read More 3 Nov 2025 Trade & Global Economy Competitiveness in times of Geo-economic Fragmentation As global power shifts toward fragmented multipolarity, trade is increasingly shaped by geopolitics, security, and strategic autonomy. Businesses must navigate competing rules, supply-chain risks, and political pressures to remain competitive in an era of geo-economic fragmentation. Read More 3 Nov 2025 Digital Trade Paperless Trade Pilot Handbook – Road to a broader Digital Trade Paperless trade is no longer a distant aspiration; It is today’s most practical lever for cutting cost, time, and risk in cross-border commerce. Read More 3 Nov 2025 Dispute Resolution Arbitration in Focus Bas van Zelst is a partner at Enhance Arbitration, a law firm dedicated exclusively to arbitration. Enhance provides (co-)counsel, arbitration and advisory services. He is also a member of the ICC Netherlands Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Committee. In this article, he talks about the main definitions and characteristics of arbitration – and how these differ from litigation. He also outlines what makes the Netherlands an attractive seat of arbitration, and shares his thoughts on the link between arbitration and peace. Read More 2 Nov 2025 Climate & Sustainability From Ambition to Economic Delivery: ICC’s Call to Action Ahead of COP30 As world leaders prepare to meet in Belém for COP30, ICC calls on governments to turn climate ambition into economic delivery. Representing over 45 million companies, ICC urges concrete action on finance, adaptation and market integrity to unlock private investment and make the transition to net zero a driver of growth and resilience. Read More 1 Nov 2025 Integrity Highlights from the Week of Integrity 2025 The Week of Integrity 2025 brought together organizations across sectors to explore how integrity strengthens culture, trust, and sustainable growth. From the launch of the new Book of Integrity to inspiring partner initiatives and thought-provoking dialogues, the week proved that integrity is a year-round capability, not just a one-week commitment. Read More 30 Oct 2025 Trade & Global Economy ICC Trade Register 2025 Built on over USD 25 trillion in transaction data, the ICC Trade Register 2025 offers the most comprehensive insight into global trade and supply chain finance. Its findings confirm trade finance as a low-risk, high-impact asset class—and show how data-driven evidence continues to shape smarter regulation, sustainability, and competitiveness worldwide. Read More 27 Oct 2025 Climate & Sustainability Turning Ambition into Action: ICC and Sage Release 2025 SME Climate Finance Stocktake A new ICC–Sage report reveals that while SMEs are leading on sustainability ambition, access to green finance remains critically low. The study calls for digital solutions, simpler reporting, and smarter policy to unlock the trillions needed for small businesses to drive the global net-zero transition. Read More 21 Oct 2025 Digital Trade ICC Calls for Government Action and Business Expertise to Strengthen Global Cyber Resilience As the UN prepares to launch a new Global Mechanism on cybersecurity, ICC urges governments to pair decisive action with business expertise to strengthen global cyber resilience. The private sector, operating on the front lines of digital defense, must be meaningfully included to ensure policies are practical, inclusive, and future-proof. Read More 7 Oct 2025 Dispute Resolution Beyond the Contract: Insights from the ICC NL Dispute Resolution Forum 2025 At the ICC Dispute Resolution Forum on 7 October, experts explored how culture, trust, and human behaviour shape cross-border business disputes. The discussions revealed that resolving conflicts effectively starts long before the contract is signed. Read More 7 Oct 2025 Global Insights Building common ground in a fragmented world From trade digitalisation to sustainability and WTO reform, one message keeps returning: ambition is high, but the system must move faster. A reflection on clarity, trust, and cooperation, and why bringing people together still matters most. Read More 6 Oct 2025 Trade & Global Economy ICC Netherlands at the WTO Public Forum 2025 in Geneva At the WTO Public Forum 2025, ICC Netherlands joined global leaders to address one key question: how can we rebuild trust in global trade? From digitalization to AI and sustainability, the call for WTO reform has never been more pressing. Read More 6 Oct 2025 Climate & Sustainability Circular Plastics and Dutch Leadership: An Interview with Willemijn Peeters, founding director of Searious Business "The Netherlands stands at a crossroads. If we embrace circularity at scale, we can future-proof our economy, strengthen our resilience, and prove that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand". Read More 1 Sept 2025 Trade & Global Economy Global trade – an urgent need for reform Global trade is at a crossroads. Rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions and stalled reforms threaten the stability of the rules-based system that underpins Dutch and international business. In this interview, Valerie Picard, ICC’s Head of Trade, explains why urgent WTO reform is needed, what “revitalising the global trading system” means in practice, and how Dutch companies can play a leadership role in shaping the future of trade. Read More 1 Sept 2025 Digital Trade ICC Netherlands calls on Dutch Parliament to accelerate adoption of MLETR ICC Netherlands, together with a broad coalition of companies, banks and business associations, has presented a whitepaper to the Dutch Parliament calling for swift adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) – a move that will cut costs, reduce delays and strengthen the Netherlands’ competitive position. Read More 1 Sept 2025 Digital Trade ICC Netherlands roept Tweede Kamer op: versnel adoptie van digitale handelsdocumenten (MLETR) ICC Nederland heeft samen met een brede coalitie van bedrijven, banken en brancheorganisaties een whitepaper aangeboden aan de Tweede Kamer om snelle invoering van de UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) te bevorderen – een stap die kosten bespaart, doorlooptijden verkort en de concurrentiepositie van Nederland versterkt. Read More 31 Aug 2025 Climate & Sustainability Share Your Story: Be Part of ICC’s Global Climate Campaign Business has a crucial role to play in tackling climate change – not only by reducing risks but by creating opportunities. Real-world examples from companies of all sizes show policymakers and peers that innovation and investment can deliver climate solutions at scale. That’s why ICC is calling on businesses to share their stories as part of its global climate campaign ahead of COP30. By showcasing successes and lessons learned, we can inspire action, remove barriers, and make the case for the enabling policies needed to accelerate the clean transition. Read More 28 Aug 2025 Climate & Sustainability ICC Report: Unlocking Private Sector Investment for Climate Adaptation Climate change is already costing the global economy trillions, yet adaptation finance continues to lag far behind what is needed. A new ICC–Oxera report highlights how the private sector can play a decisive role in closing this gap. With public funds alone insufficient, innovative instruments, better risk data, and enabling regulation are essential to unlock private investment at scale. As the official voice of business in the UN climate process, ICC will bring these recommendations to COP30 in Belém to advocate for a stronger role of business in building global climate resilience. Read More 20 Aug 2025 Trade & Global Economy Business takeaways from the first rounds of UN Tax Framework Convention negotiations ICC is advocating for predictable, stable global tax rules to support cross-border trade and investment at the first rounds of United Nations Tax Framework Convention talks. Taxpayer rights, rigorous economic analysis, clarity on new instruments and effective dispute prevention and resolution were championed as key priorities for business. Read More 15 Aug 2025 Climate & Sustainability Business disappointed by failure to secure global plastics treaty The International Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement at the conclusion of the latest round of intergovernmental negotiations on a proposed UN plastics treaty: Read More 28 Jul 2025 Climate & Sustainability How to scale private finance for adaptation and unlock new business opportunities As the frequency and severity of climate-related events escalate, there is a growing consensus that mitigation alone is insufficient. Adaptation must play a central role in securing resilience. To support this shift, the new ICC-commissioned Oxera report assesses how the private sector’s role in climate adaptation can be strengthened and scaled. The report is intended to inform ICC’s advocacy as the official UNFCCC Focal Point for Business and Industry in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém. Read More 26 Jul 2025 Climate & Sustainability Enhancing Climate Finance in Emerging Markets Emerging markets and developing economies need US$450–550 billion in additional annual climate finance by 2030, but private flows are declining. ICC’s new policy brief shows how targeted reforms to the Basel III framework could unlock 3–4 times more private investment in climate-aligned projects. Ahead of COP30, ICC is calling for a structured dialogue with regulators to ensure climate finance flows to where it is most urgently needed. Read More 11 Jul 2025 Global Insights Harmonised AI standards to reduce fragmented global rules This ICC policy paper highlights how divergent AI regulations across countries can lead to fragmented global markets and increased business costs. ICC calls for greater coordination on the development of international, market-driven AI standards, to bridge legal differences, reduce compliance burdens, improve market access and enhance cross-border innovation. Read More 10 Jul 2025 Trade & Global Economy ICC and WCO release trade facilitation recommendations for enhanced integrity at borders Integrity at borders is fundamental to sustainable trade and economic growth. A new joint International Chamber of Commerce-World Customs Organization paper highlights how trade facilitation – by digitalising processes, reducing complexities and increasing transparency – can be a powerful tool for fighting corruption. Read More 4 Jul 2025 Business Solutions ICC Anti-corruption Clause The ICC Anti-corruption Clause is a voluntary contractual provision that companies can include in their commercial agreements, whereby they undertake to comply with the 2023 ICC Rules on Combating Corruption or commit to put in place and maintain an anti-corruption compliance programme. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Climate & Sustainability Business at the Table: ICC and the Private Sector at the SB62 Climate Talks At the June 2025 Bonn Climate Conference, business leaders led by the ICC called for urgent action to remove regulatory and financial barriers, scale up adaptation, and support high-integrity carbon markets. With COP30 nearing, they urged governments to align with 1.5°C goals and shift from talk to action, emphasizing that the private sector is ready but needs the right conditions. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Climate & Sustainability New ICC Policy Brief Calls for Regulatory Reforms to Unlock Climate Finance in Emerging Markets ICC urges targeted reforms to global banking rules, especially Basel III, to unlock climate finance for emerging markets. The brief proposes near-term fixes and deeper changes to ease capital barriers without risking financial stability. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Climate & Sustainability FfD4 Opens in Seville: A Crucial Test for Financing the SDGs At the FfD4 conference in Seville, the ICC called for practical, private sector-led financing to achieve the SDGs, urging action beyond symbolic commitments. With the “Compromiso de Sevilla” agreed, ICC is pushing for greater business input on SME investment, tax reform, and climate finance. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Trade & Global Economy Project Phoenix: A Bold Business-Led Response to Trade System Fragmentation At the National Committee (NC) Strategic Session held during We are ICC Week 2025, ICC unveiled its most ambitious initiative in recent years: Project Phoenix. Introduced by ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton following a high-level panel with Shinta Kamdani, Arancha González, and Andrew Wilson, the launch framed ICC’s response to deepening geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Climate & Sustainability Post-UNOC3: Business Rallies for Ocean Action with Landmark Call to Policymakers Over 80 businesses and networks joined an ICC-led declaration at UNOC3, urging urgent action to protect ocean health as key to climate resilience and economic prosperity. The Business Call to Action outlines commitments and policy asks to scale sustainable ocean solutions and is open for more support. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Marketing & Advertising European Commission Withdraws Green Claims Directive — ICC Welcomes Opportunity for Constructive Recalibration The European Commission has withdrawn the Green Claims Directive after concerns over burdens on SMEs, marking a key advocacy win for ICC and its members. ICC now invites businesses to help shape future sustainability marketing policies that are credible, practical, and innovation-friendly. Read More 30 Jun 2025 Trade & Global Economy Beyond the West: Rethinking Europe’s Role in the Global Order Alex Krijger, a historian and geopolitical advisor, says the 2025 NATO Summit was a turning point, with Europe finally stepping up to take more responsibility for its own security. He believes the world is shifting toward a new global balance of power, and Europe needs to build fairer relationships with the Global South, rethink old institutions, and broaden its view beyond just Western perspectives. Read More 30 Jun 2025 ICC #WeAreICCWeek From 16–19 June, #WeAreICC Week brought together over 200 ICC representatives and leaders from 85 countries in Paris for a dynamic series of strategy and governance meetings. Highlights included the annual meeting of the ICC World Council, chaired by Philippe Varin, and a gathering of the ICC Executive Board. Read More 24 Jun 2025 Dispute Resolution ICC Dispute Resolution Statistics: 2024 The annual ICC Dispute Resolution Statistics offer a comprehensive overview of disputes submitted to the ICC International Court of Arbitration and the ICC International Centre for ADR. They provide an in-depth breakdown of the numbers and global reach of ICC Arbitration and other ICC Dispute Resolution Services worldwide. Read More 16 Jun 2025 Integrity Building Integrity Through Trust and Psychological Safety A culture of integrity doesn’t come solely through regulations; it thrives on trust, transparency, and psychological safety. Psychological safety—where individuals can speak up and raise concerns without fear—is the foundation of a strong compliance culture. Read More 13 Jun 2025 Global Insights Major banks set industry milestone with endorsement of ICC’s Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance A group of leading Trade Finance banks have announced their endorsement of the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance (ICC PSTF). This group, and further supporting banks, collectively represent as much as 25% of the global trade finance market by volume. Read More 12 Jun 2025 Dispute Resolution ICC arbitration tops global survey The Arbitration Rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have been named the world’s preferred arbitration rules in a global survey investigating current trends in user preferences and perceptions. Read More 11 Jun 2025 Digital Trade Data flows in supply chains: Practical realities and policy implications Cross-border data flows are essential for efficient global supply chains, enabling real-time coordination and logistics across borders. ICC provides concrete recommendations to align policies with operational realities and keep trade flowing. Read More 10 Jun 2025 Climate & Sustainability ICC joins Business Call to Action to accelerate global cooperation for our oceans In a joint Business Call to Action more than 80 businesses and supporting organisations from 25 countries, including 55 businesses representing over €600 billion in turnover and 2 million employees, urged both private and public decisions-makers to strengthen global cooperation and accelerate action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. Read More 4 Jun 2025 Trade & Global Economy Why services can’t realistically be tariffed and shouldn’t be New ICC brief outlines why tariffs on cross-border services are unworkable and what policymakers should do instead. Read More 2 Jun 2025 Trade & Global Economy ICC warns trade uncertainty is undermining global business confidence Speaking live in an interview on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power show with hosts Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO discussed current trade policy tensions and what it means for the international business community. Read More 1 Jun 2025 Climate & Sustainability Sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative Sustainability is everywhere – but what does it really mean for a business to be sustainable? And who gets to define it? To get some answers, we spoke to Ed Gillespie, whose credentials involve nearly three decades at the forefront of sustainability. Read More 1 Jun 2025 Trade & Global Economy Africa – issues and opportunities relating to trade In the previous issue of this newsletter we heard that the USA represents just 13% of global trade. In our conversation with Secretary General of ICC United Kingdom Chris Southworth, he said that “we need to focus on the remaining 87% of the global trade system.” Read More

< Back < Previous | Next > Sustainability Business at the Table: ICC and the Private Sector at the SB62 Climate Talks 30 Jun 2025 At the June 2025 Bonn Climate Conference, business leaders led by the ICC called for urgent action to remove regulatory and financial barriers, scale up adaptation, and support high-integrity carbon markets. With COP30 nearing, they urged governments to align with 1.5°C goals and shift from talk to action, emphasizing that the private sector is ready but needs the right conditions. How business voices shaped the climate agenda in Bonn—and what’s next on the road to COP30 in Belém The June 2025 Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB62) marked a pivotal checkpoint on the road to COP30. With rising climate impacts, growing geopolitical tensions, and increasing scrutiny of implementation gaps, business and industry leaders—represented through the UNFCCC Business and Industry NGO constituency (BINGO)—played a visible and engaged role in the process. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), as the leading global business representative, was at the heart of these efforts. Business Speaks Up at Opening and Closing Plenaries Rob Cameron, Chair of the ICC Environment Commission, delivered the BINGO opening statement, raising urgent concerns over delays in agenda adoption and calling for accelerated action across the climate agenda. “Ten years after Paris, COP30 must deliver—and it must do so for the real economy,” he emphasized. Four key points framed the private sector’s intervention: NDC Implementation: Businesses called on governments to translate Global Stocktake findings into ambitious, actionable Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with 1.5°C, with meaningful business engagement in their design and delivery. Adaptation: While mitigation remains critical, businesses urged for a robust framework to scale up private-sector-supported adaptation solutions. Finance: Echoing the Presidency’s USD 1.3 trillion roadmap, the private sector stressed that unlocking capital will require removing regulatory barriers and enhancing risk-sharing mechanisms. Carbon Markets: ICC strongly supported high-integrity carbon markets and rapid implementation of Article 6 as tools to drive finance to where it's most needed. At the closing plenary, the tone was cautiously optimistic. Delegates had worked constructively, but “significant divergences persist,” ICC noted. “Now is the time to transform promises made into real-world implementation,” the statement concluded. Financing Climate Action: Private Sector Ready—but Held Back During the Presidency-led consultation on the Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3 Trillion, ICC highlighted the urgent need to align financial frameworks with climate goals. As Beth Burks (S&P Global), speaking for BINGO, noted: “We fully recognize the role we play in reaching the USD 1.3 trillion goal—but the current system is holding us back.” ICC’s contribution to the discussion outlined three priority areas: Enabling Environments: Policy coherence and predictability—especially strong offtake markets and stable regulatory frameworks—are prerequisites for unlocking private investment in developing economies. Reforming Development Finance: Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) must become real catalysts for private finance by accepting greater risk and investing in project development capacity. Prudential Regulation Reform: Current banking regulations penalize climate investment in emerging markets. ICC proposed a structured dialogue with regulators to explore targeted reforms, estimating that such changes could quadruple available bank capital for climate projects. ICC has now published this paper, setting out concrete steps to realign financial regulation with climate ambition. Read it here. Just Transition: Making Climate Action Fair and Inclusive ICC and BINGO welcomed progress on the Just Transition Work Programme, while stressing that implementation must now take center stage. In its statement, business emphasized that a truly just transition must: Be holistic and inclusive, engaging governments, large companies, SMEs, and local innovators. Provide the most vulnerable communities with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive. Avoid unintended cross-border consequences, especially for SMEs in developing countries. Business urged policymakers to ensure predictability and coherence across policies, warning that fragmented or duplicative efforts could slow investment and innovation. “There is no silver bullet,” the ICC statement noted. “Efforts must be tailored to national and local realities to be truly effective.” Observer Engagement and Implementation Gaps ICC also weighed in on the Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM) discussions, advocating for more inclusive and efficient observer engagement. Suggestions included shifting some Action Agenda activities to Regional Climate Weeks and leveraging expert dialogues to integrate real-world insights into the process. “The Brazilian concept of Mutirão—working together for the common good—captures what is needed now,” said Agnes Vinblad, representing the United States Council for International Business. “No one actor can tackle the climate challenge alone. We must unite.” What’s Next? Belém Must Deliver for the Real Economy With COP30 in Belém just months away, ICC’s message is clear: it’s time to move from negotiation to implementation. This means: Delivering updated NDCs aligned with 1.5°C. Advancing robust frameworks on adaptation and just transition. Fixing regulatory and financial barriers to unlock private capital. Accelerating Article 6 implementation and voluntary carbon market integrity. ICC stands ready to support the COP Presidencies and Parties in translating words into action. As underscored in the closing statement: “Our shared climate ambitions demand collaborative solutions. The private sector is ready to do its part—but it cannot do it alone.”

< Back < Previous | Next > Customs at an inflection point 21 Apr 2026 Four trends shaping global trade compliance in 2026 Two back-to-back events in April 2026, a conference in Brussels on the new Union Customs Code hosted by ICC Be, and the latest meeting of the ICC Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission hosted by ICC NL, offered a useful snapshot of where global customs is heading. Different audiences, different levels of detail, but the same underlying currents. Four trends in particular deserve business attention this year. In one minute (for non-specialists) If your business ships goods across borders, or works with companies that do, the systems governing those movements are being rewritten. The EU is building a single digital platform to replace 27 national customs systems, starting with e-commerce in 2028 and extending to all trade by 2034. Worldwide, customs authorities are shifting from checking paperwork to analysing live data, with artificial intelligence doing more of the work every year. Companies that share clean, consistent data with customs get faster clearance; those that don't get more friction at the border. Four trends stand out in 2026: data quality becomes a business priority, AI is changing how controls work, "trusted trader" status is being redefined, and global rules are harmonizing, but unevenly. The rest of this article explains each, with a short glossary of the main terms at the end. 1. Data is becoming the unit of customs compliance For decades, customs has been organised around declarations. A trader submits an entry summary, an import declaration, a transit message, an export declaration, often into separate national systems, often with overlapping content. The EU's new Union Customs Code, politically agreed in late March, is the clearest signal yet that this model is giving way to something else: a data-driven, consignment-centric system in which the same information is submitted once and consumed many times. The EU Customs Data Hub will go live for e-commerce in July 2028 and become mandatory for all operators by 2034. The same shift is visible at global level. The World Customs Organization's 2025 edition of the SAFE Framework of Standards makes data harmonisation one of its headline priorities, explicitly to reduce duplication and streamline cross-border processes. At the operational level, Dutch Customs is piloting what it calls "digital corridors", arrangements with trusted operators who make supply-chain data available via API, in exchange for lighter-touch controls at the border. The conceptual direction of travel is unmistakable. For business, the practical implication is that data quality moves from being a back-office concern to a compliance KPI. Unique identifiers that follow a consignment from origin to destination, consistent product classifications, clean master data on parties in the chain — these stop being "nice to have" and become the basis on which risk, duty and release decisions are made. Several speakers at both events made the same point in different words: the technology is not the problem, the data model is. 2. The AI adoption gap is widening, not narrowing The WCO's 2026 Study Report on Disruptive Technologies, based on a survey of 116 customs administrations, makes for sobering reading. Only around 10 percent of administrations report using artificial intelligence or machine learning in production. Another 37 percent are experimenting or piloting. Roughly 30 percent still describe themselves as "operational", meaning foundational systems are in place but limited advanced analytics. Against this, private-sector adoption of AI has accelerated sharply. UNCTAD projects the technology will be the frontier technology with the largest market size by 2033, at around USD 4.8 trillion. The gap has two consequences. First, administrations will increasingly rely on private-sector data quality and self-assessment because they cannot inspect their way through growing volumes, 5.8 billion e-commerce items entered the EU alone in 2025. Second, where administrations do deploy AI, they deploy it in ways that demand more from industry, not less. Several customs authorities are now using large data models to identify "risk clusters" at a macro level, then asking individual importers to prove their specific shipments are outside those clusters. Rotterdam's AI-driven x-ray image recognition is an encouraging example of how automation can raise coverage without adding headcount. But the gap between administrations with that capability and those still working from paper-based processes is not closing. 3. The trust architecture is being rebuilt A common thread across the EU reform, the WCO SAFE update, and recent bilateral trade agreements is that the relationship between administrations and compliant businesses is being redefined. Three examples make the pattern visible. In the EU, the new Trust & Check trader regime, on top of the existing AEO programme, offers self-assessment, self-release and reduced controls to companies willing to grant customs real-time access to their data. This is a significant step beyond AEO: the balance of effort shifts from periodic audit to continuous visibility. Whether the benefits will justify the investment for most companies is an open question, and one industry is actively shaping through the delegated acts still being drafted. At the same time, the EU's co-legislators wisely chose to retain AEO in parallel, preserving a more accessible tier for companies that cannot or will not go that far. In origin certification, research presented at recent WCO events suggests full self-certification does not produce measurably lower compliance than third-party certification. That evidence is nudging administrations that had resisted the shift. But the picture is not uniform: India's new "authentication" requirement under the EU-India and UK-India agreements introduces a verification layer on top of self-certification, requiring exporters to provide additional identifiers through new IT systems. The UK and the EU have built two different solutions. Expect this pattern, self-certification at the level of principle, authentication in the detail, to spread. On the platform side, e-commerce marketplaces are being drawn into the compliance chain as "deemed importers", liable for customs compliance, duty and VAT on goods sold to EU consumers. The shift in responsibility is less a change of doctrine than a recognition that trust, data and liability must be realigned for the actors who actually hold the commercial information. 4. Harmonisation is uneven and will stay that way Against the direction of travel towards greater integration, real-world harmonisation remains patchy. HS 2028 was finalised in January 2026 and enters into force across the WCO membership in 2028, but a meaningful number of countries are still implementing HS 2017, with all the friction in correlation tables, tariff engineering and origin determinations that implies. In the EU reform, centralised customs clearance for imports is being introduced, but the VAT framework has not been aligned, leaving a gap industry has flagged as a missed opportunity. Penalties are only partially harmonised: the final text sets a minimum common core of infringements and non-criminal sanctions, but Member States retain room to add national sanctions on top. The United States is debating a bill that would replace its first-sale valuation rule with a last-sale rule, converging with other jurisdictions but doing so through a politically charged process with affordability implications for consumers. None of this is an argument against the direction of travel. But it is an argument for realism about timelines and transition costs. Companies operating across multiple jurisdictions will continue to need parallel capability for some years, systems, data, and compliance processes that accommodate different rules, different timings, and different assumptions. So what? The operational substance of customs reform is being written now, in the delegated and implementing acts of the EU Union Customs Code, in the explanatory notes accompanying HS 2028, in the work programmes of the WCO Permanent Technical Committee and its technical sub-committees, and in the bilateral IT systems being built around new trade agreements. These are not abstract debates. They will determine the data companies have to provide, the systems they have to connect to, the trusted-trader status they can realistically target, and the penalties they are exposed to. The practical channels for businesses to engage are well established: national trade facilitation committees, industry federations, chambers of commerce, and global business organisations with formal observer status at the WCO. Where those channels are used well, the detail reflects operational reality. Where they are not, business ends up implementing rules that were designed without it. The next twelve months, between now and the first EU Data Hub go-live in mid-2028, will set the tone. Key terms at a glance Harmonised System (HS) — the global product-classification language used by customs authorities in 200+ countries. Every tradeable good is assigned an HS code, which drives duty rates, origin rules and statistics. The system is updated every 5–6 years by the WCO. HS 2017 / HS 2022 / HS 2028 — successive editions of the Harmonised System. HS 2028 was finalised in January 2026 and takes effect in 2028; many countries are still implementing HS 2017 or HS 2022, which creates classification gaps between trading partners. WCO (World Customs Organization) — the Brussels-based body that develops global customs standards, including the Harmonised System and the SAFE Framework. 185+ member administrations. Union Customs Code (UCC) — the EU's foundational customs law. The "new UCC" is the reform politically agreed in March 2026, introducing the EU Customs Data Hub, the EU Customs Authority and the Trust & Check trader regime. EU Customs Data Hub — a single EU-wide digital platform that will replace the 111 national and EU customs IT systems currently in use. E-commerce goes first in 2028; all trade by 2034. AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) — the existing trusted-trader status in the EU and most major economies. Companies meeting security and compliance criteria get lighter-touch treatment at the border. Trust & Check — a new, higher-tier trusted-trader regime in the EU reform. In exchange for giving customs real-time access to company data, traders get self-assessment and self-release. AEO remains in parallel. Deemed importer — an e-commerce platform or marketplace treated, for customs and VAT purposes, as if it were the importer of the goods it sells — even if it never physically handles them.