Not to be missed!
International Conference on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy
Key players
World Customs Organization
 |
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is the only intergovernmental organisation competent in Customs issues. It is particularly noted for its work in areas covering the development of global Customs standards, the simplification and harmonisation of Customs procedures, the security of the international trade supply chain, the initiation of programmes to combat Customs offences, anti-counterfeiting and piracy activities, trade facilitation, integrity promotion, and sustainable Customs capacity building initiatives. In addition, the WCO is responsible also for the administration of the technical aspects of the World Trade Organization’s Agreements on Valuation and Rules of Origin.
With its headquarters in Brussels (Belgium), today the WCO represents 173 Customs administrations across the globe at all stages of economic development that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. Since June 2007 the European Communities has, as an interim measure, been granted rights akin to those of a WCO Member for matters falling within its competence. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO can rightly call itself the voice of the international Customs community.
To fight counterfeiting and piracy, the WCO developed the SECURE Programme, a series of standards employed by Customs for uniform rights enforcement. The Programme, which is currently being refined, will act as the WCO’s primary platform for combating the trade in fake goods and for protecting intellectual property rights, particularly through its capacity building component that is aimed at enhancing the operational enforcement capabilities of Customs administrations around the world.
|
|
The Customs administrations of the European Union (EU) Member States play an important role in protecting the interests of the European Community (EC). They also ensure an equal level of protection throughout EC territory for citizens and economic operators within the Community. Having regard to the role of Customs in the EC, the Community action programme Customs 2013 (2008-2013) was launched on 1 January 2008.
Its main objectives include:
-
supporting the development of a pan-European electronic customs environment which ensures that Customs activities match the needs of the internal market and guarantees the protection of the EC's financial interests
-
strengthening safety and security
-
contributing to the creation of a modernised Customs Code
-
increasing cooperation between Customs administrations so that they carry out their tasks as effectively as if they were a single administration
-
increasing international Customs cooperation between EU Customs administrations and third countries’ Customs authorities in the field of supply chain security
-
preparing for enlargement, including the sharing of experience and knowledge with the Customs administrations of the countries concerned
-
developing cooperation and exchange of information and best practices with the Customs administrations of third countries, in particular candidate countries, potential candidate countries and partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy
-
standardising and simplifying Customs systems and controls to reduce the administrative burden and the cost of compliance for economic operators
-
identifying, developing and applying best working practices
Customs 2013 will include activities in the field of communications systems and exchange of information, comparative analyses, seminars and workshops, project groups and steering groups, working visits, training activities and monitoring activities.
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l11050.htm
