The Origin: The CMR Convention (Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route) was established by a United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) agreement in Geneva on May 19, 1956. It entered into force in October 1961 and has been adopted by nearly all European nations, alongside several countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.

⚬ Purpose: Before the CMR, international road transport was plagued by conflicting national laws, making cross-border haulage legally complex and risky. The CMR creates a uniform legal regime, standardising contract terms, liability limits, and documentation across borders to facilitate international trade.