Information and market transparency
Article 30
1. The Organization shall act as a global information centre for the efficient collection, collation, exchange and dissemination of statistical information and studies on all matters relating to cocoa and cocoa products. To this effect, the Organization shall: (a) Maintain up-to-date statistical information on world production, grindings, consumption, exports, re-exports, imports, prices and stocks of cocoa and cocoa products; (b) Request, as appropriate, technical information on the cultivation, marketing, transportation, processing, utilisation and consumption of cocoa. 2. The Council may request Members to provide the information related to cocoa which it deems necessary for its functioning, including information on government policies, taxation, national standards, regulations and legislation relating to cocoa. 3. In order to promote market transparency, Members shall, insofar as possible, provide the Executive Director with the relevant statistics within a reasonable time and in as detailed and accurate a manner as is practicable. 4. If a Member fails to supply, or finds difficulty in supplying, within a reasonable time, statistical information required by the Council for the proper functioning of the Organization, the Council may request the Member concerned to explain the reasons for non-compliance. If it is found that assistance is needed in the matter, the Council may offer the necessary measures of support to overcome existing difficulties. 5. The Council shall publish at an appropriate date, but at least twice every cocoa year, projections on cocoa production and cocoa grindings. The Council may use relevant information from other sources in order to follow the evolution of the market as well as assess or evaluate the current and possible future cocoa production and consumption levels. However, the Council may not publish any information likely to disclose the operation of individuals or commercial entities that produce, process or distribute cocoa.