The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the largest organisation in the world, representing more than 45 million companies in over 100 countries. Founded in 1919 in Paris, it currently operates through 93 national committees. The National Committee in Croatia was established in 2003.
The primary mission of the ICC is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. The ICC works to promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation by combining its unique expertise in advocacy, solutions and standard setting activities. Its membership includes many of the world’s largest companies, SMEs, business associations and local chambers of commerce.
ICC global policy commissions are specialised working bodies representing the cornerstone of the ICC’s work. By being involved in the work of 12 ICC commissions, member companies, business associations and renowned experts establish the business stance on broad issues of trade and investment policy as well as on important professional subjects, such as, among other things, banking, digital economy, marketing, energy & environment, competition, anticorruption and intellectual property.
The ICC also has an important role in the work of special work groups, such as the Group on Economic Policy and ICC G20 Advisory Group, in which the ICC participates as one of the partners in G20 business forums.
The ICC has three main activities, which include rule setting, dispute resolution and policy advocacy. Because ICC member companies and associations engage in international business themselves, the ICC has unparalleled authority in setting rules that govern cross-border business. While these rules are voluntary, thousands of daily transactions abide by the ICC-established rules as part of regular international trade.
The ICC also provides important services, the most important of which are related to its International Court of Arbitration as the world’s leading arbitral institution. There are also the services of the World Chambers Federation, the ICC’s global network of commercial chambers encouraging cooperation and exchange of the best practices. The ICC also offers specialised training and seminars and is an industry-leading publisher of practical and educational reference tools for international business, banking and arbitration.
Some of the most well-known publications include Incoterms 2010, International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP), Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600), ICC model contracts and many others.
Voluntary ICC codes include the Rules of Conduct to Combat Extortion and Bribery in International Business Transactions, the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code, Nine Practical Steps to Responsible Business Conduct and others. They are often reflected in national regulations and rules of professional associations.
