WCO Task Force on Supply Chain Security Holds its Final Session (Recommendations May be Finalized in June 2004)
In April 2004, the World Customs Organization's (WCO's) Task Force on Security and Facilitation of the International Trade Supply Chain (Task Force) held its final session. According to a WCO press release, discussions at the Task Force session focused on, among other things, the implementation of existing WCO measures and instruments, the drafting of international standards, and Customs-business partnerships.
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The Task Force was created in a June 2002 WCO Council resolution and charged with, among other things, the development of a series of measures to enhance supply chain security, and responding to increased concern that the international supply chain might be used as a means of delivery for weapons of mass destruction. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/29/03 news, 03082915, for two-part BP summary on the Task Force's recommendations as well as a link to an earlier summary of the Task Force's objectives.)
Task Force Focuses on Securing International Trade Supply Chain
U.S. government sources familiar with the Task Force's work stated that this final session focused on the implementation of Task Force-recommended measures designed to secure the international trade supply chain while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade. These measures, adopted by the WCO Council in June 2003, relate to advance cargo information, mutual assistance between customs administrations, harmonizing essential data elements, etc.
Sources state that particular attention was given to the development of partnerships between WCO members and private industry that would be similar to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
Sources add that there will not be a formal mechanism through which the Task Force's recommendations could be enforced. These sources state that implementation and enforcement of the recommendations would have to be done by countries and business.
Task Force's ACI Guidelines Could be Finalized by WCO Council in June 2004
According to U.S. government sources, as part of its efforts to make the international trade supply chain more secure, the Task Force is still working on a final/revised version of the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) Guidelines. The Task Force's final version is expected to be sent to the WCO Council in June 2004, where the guidelines could be finalized.
(In June 2003, WCO Council adopted the "basic principles" contained in the ACI Guidelines but noted that the document had yet to be finalized. At that time, WCO sources stated that the Task Force would continue to work on these guidelines over the coming months.)
Task Force Working on Recommendations for Container Seals
U.S. government sources have confirmed that the WCO Task Force is also working on secure container seals. These sources explain that the WCO's Container Committee will meet in the fall of 2004 and may adopt the Task Force's recommendations as changes to the 1972 Customs Convention on Containers.
WCO High-Level Strategic Group Could be Created to Continue & Expand Task Force's Work
According to sources, the Task Force has basically completed its mandate and is expected to be disbanded once the WCO Council finalizes its recommendations. However, a proposal has been made to create a high-level strategic group to continue and expand on the efforts of the Task Force. This proposed group could possibly develop more specific standards as opposed to the recommendations the Task Force has created. U.S. government sources state that the proposal concerning this group will be taken up by the WCO Council in June 2004.
Draft ACI Guidelines available via email by emailing documents@brokerpower.com
WCO Press Release on Task Force's Last Session (dated 04/26/04) available at www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Press/WCO-TaskForce-04.04v5.htm