The reality-check part of the study points to the fact that much beyond the coverage of RTAs, it is
their effective implementation that poses a challenge to economic operators. Though data on the
use of preferences is either not disclosed or inexistent, they are nevertheless available for some
economies. On the basis of existing data of preference utilization, the analysis of the effects of
rules of origin on preferential trade flows appears to give rise to a dual reality - namely a relatively
high use of preferences in certain instances coexisting with preferences failing to attain their
potential in other cases. As regards RTAs for which utilization rate is not available, the paper
analysis preferential rules of origin from a MOPS perspective, assuming that MOPs of at least 5
percentage points would offset compliance costs and thus provide a stimulus to comply with rules
of origin in order to benefit from preferences. The analysis, made for 68 out of 192 RTAs, do not
allow any conclusion regarding that generally presented hypothesis