From its beginnings, the International Chamber of Commers (ICC) has believed strongly in the contribution to prosperity and peace among nations through an open market and international investment. Its founding spirit has made it the organization that has contributed most to free trade in the world. To this mission can be added others such as the promotion of international investment and the market economy.

The ICC has a top-level consultative status with the United Nations, its agencies and specialized organizations. In carrying out its functions, it maintains close relations with other international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. At the G-8 meetings, it conveys the views and priorities of the international business community to the Prime Minister of the convening government. It also communicates to state authorities its position on international trade and investment issues.

Currently, the ICC brings together companies and associations from more than 130 countries; it represents 45 million companies; and it has national committees in more than 130 countries.

Functions of the ICC

Focused on addressing the negative effects of global development, the ICC actively contributes to environmentally and socially sustainable economic growth. In addition, it is also committed to fighting protectionism.

It is active in two main areas:

-Raising awareness and influencing international bodies concerned with trade and investment. To this end, the Working Commissions, made up of business and professional representatives, are essential in receiving contributions from the National Committees. Positions and declarations to be adopted by the ICC are prepared during their meetings.

-Useful services to companies that facilitate commercial exchanges.

  • Compilation and formulation of uniform commercial practices for the whole world.
  • Preparation of standard clauses or contracts.
  • Creation of a Business Charter for a Sustainable Development, of voluntary and free adhesion, for environmental management.
  • Creation of a World Industry Council for the Environment, made up of companies with their office registered in Geneva
  • Make available the International Court of Arbitration to settle disputes between operators from different countries.
  • Commercial Crime Services made up of the International Maritime Bureau, the Financial Investigation Bureau and the Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau.
  • The World Chambers Federation, which facilitates their contacts and is in charge of the ATA Carnet.
  • The Institute of International Commercial Law, which organizes, among other things, seminars and conferences to deepen the knowledge of the legal issues that most affect global economic activity.

The Spanish Committee

Since 1922, the Spanish Committee (www.iccspain.org) has brought together the Spanish members of ICC to take their concerns and proposals to the international headquarters.

Companies, corporations and associations, both business and professional, that wish to join must submit their registration form and wait for the approval of the Board of Directors for their definitive incorporation, this also implies membership of the ICC.

At present, the minimum annual membership fee for the committee is 1,000 euros and its main functions are:

  • To represent and defend the interests of its members in the ICC.
  • To collaborate in the ICC commissions and in the taking of positions that it transfers to the members of the Committee and to the Spanish Government.
  • To follow up on ICC issues through the working groups.
  • To give voice to the position of Spanish companies in international forums.
  • To translate into Spanish the most widely distributed ICC publications.
  • To organise seminars.
  • To resolve interpretation queries on ICC rules and contracts.