EU Discusses AEO & C-TPAT Mutual Recognition, IPR Enforcement, Etc.
On June 21, 2011, the European Union Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Algirdas Šemeta, spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed EU-U.S. customs-related issues, including trade partnership programs, supply chain security, and customs enforcement of intellectual property rights.
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The following are highlights of his comments:
Expected to Conclude Process to Establish Mutual Recognition Soon
In the coming months, the EU and U.S. are expected to conclude the process of establishing mutual recognition of their trade partnership programs, the EU's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and U.S.' Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. More than 3,800 companies have already been certified as AEO operators and C-TPAT has over 10,000 participants.
Work on mutual recognition has picked up over the past year, as the countries agreed on a timetable for the completion of the final steps. The Commissioner noted in order to bring about real facilitation, the countries need active support for the mutual recognition projects from both businesses and authorities.
(In December 2010, EU Trade Commissioner Šemeta and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Bersin announced an understanding on final steps towards mutual recognition of each others’ AEO and C-TPAT programs. They called for mutual recognition to be fully in place by October 31, 2011. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/21/10 news, 10122125, for BP summary.)
EU Continues to Urge U.S. Congress to Repeal 100% Scanning
In recent years, the EU's dialogue with the U.S. has been dominated by the 100% container scanning mandate and the costs it would involve. The EU continues to encourage the U.S. Congress to repeal, or at least seriously alter this legislation. The Commissioner states it is now time to move on to a positive agenda for transatlantic cooperation in the area of supply-chain security.
EU to Soon Discuss New Customs Agenda with DHS
On June 23, the Commissioner will meet with U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security Napolitano and are expected to discuss a new cooperation agenda involving customs as well as other authorities in the area of aviation or maritime security and research and development.
EU Encourages Enhanced Cooperation on Customs IPR Enforcement
The Commissioner noted he has recently proposed to bring about a stronger, clearer and more up-to-date legal framework for customs enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR). In addition to improving the EU's legal framework, there is room for enhancing the EU-U.S. dialogue and cooperation on IPR enforcement, and the Commissioner encourages that the the private sector to maintain close relations with the customs administrations in charge of IPR enforcement.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/27/10 news, 10102709, for BP summary of the benefits of the EU's AEO.
See ITT's Online Archives or 06/02/11 news, 11060227, for BP summary of the European Commission adopting a strategy to strengthen custom's IPR actions, etc.)