The Follow-up Mechanism relies on time periods to examine each State Party. These periods are called rounds, as is the case with follow-up mechanisms to other conventions such as that of the OECD.

A round is the period of time allotted for the States to analyze if specific selected measures have been implemented in each country.

In the case of the Follow-up Mechanism to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACAC), the countries are in the midst of the First Round of Analysis, which began in 2002 and which will end in 2006. Specific provisions are examined in each round since the breadth of the Convention makes it difficult to do a full review of each State Party.

In the First Round, the Conference of States Parties has decided to review provisions related to preventing corruption and to mechanisms of mutual legal assistance and cooperation.

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