ICC Model Confidentiality Agreement

What are the main features of this model? 

An international business transaction requires a precise and detailed underlying contract. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to draft such a contract oneself. The ICC Model Confidentiality Agreement and accompany ICC Model Confidentiality Clause respond to the market’s need for a reliable and equitable template, providing a set of clear and concise standard provisions to protect parties’ sensitive commercial information and know-how. 

Before entering a business transaction, companies of all sizes have to consider how to protect sensitive information by drafting a non-disclosure agreement. As each company tries to build a confidentiality contract in its favour, the process may often cause long discussions, delays and higher transaction costs. The ICC model and clause – which can be incorporated into commercial contracts of all kinds – can help smooth the process of exploring and concluding commercial transactions.  

The model takes into account the interests of both disclosing and receiving parties and can be used in relation to all kinds of confidential information across a wide variety of business transactions. Its structure is set out below, and as with all model contracts and clauses, parties may tailor it to meet the needs of their particular situation.