What is Rules of Origin (ROO)

This chapter builds on trade data and a wide range of existing research in the Global Value Chain (GVC) and international economics literature, to highlight the importance of trade policy to sourcing decisions in the fashion sector. Using the EU as an example, it highlights how preferential access through unilateral or bilateral trade regimes, provides incentives to source fashion goods in certain countries and how the conditions attached to market access can impact, both on sourcing and on governance in producing countries. Finally, the issue of anti-dumping action and its actual and potential impacts on the fashion sector is explored. The chapter concludes with some observations on the growing importance of effective oversight of supply chains, in a context where retailers are increasingly being called to account for the impacts of their sourcing choices.