Approved by the Policy Commission - December 2008

 

Confirmed by the Council - June 2009

 

Chairperson : Representative of a WCO Member administration

 

Co-Chairperson : Chairperson of the Private Sector Consultative Group

 

Established : 2007

 

Duration : Until superseded or revoked

 

 

The SAFE Working Group, acting under authority of paragraph 68 of the June 2007 Report of the Policy Commission (Doc. SP0250), and as referenced in paragraph 69 of the Minutes of the 2007 Customs Co-operation Council (Doc. SC0082), is formed as the successor to the High Level Strategic Group for the purpose of maintaining and further developing the SAFE Framework of Standards. The SAFE Working Group will operate at two levels : a level dealing with policy matters concerning which it shall be guided by and report to the Policy Commission; and, a second level dealing with technical amendments to the SAFE Framework regarding which it will be guided by and report to the Permanent Technical Committee. It shall also advise these bodies, as well as the Secretary General, on progress and issues relating to implementation, maintenance and/or amendment of the SAFE Framework of Standards and implementation of the Columbus Programme.

 

Membership

 

The membership will be open to all interested Members of the WCO, members of the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), and parties with recognized WCO observer status. The PSCG, which has already been formed, will be guided in its independent operations by the provisions found in its own Terms of Reference document.

 

Purpose and Scope

 

The purpose and scope of the SAFE Working Group is to advise, as appropriate, the Policy Commission, the Permanent Technical Committee and the Secretary General on the full range of issues concerning the SAFE Framework of Standards. Such issues may include matters relating to amendments concerning the SAFE Framework : monitoring pilot projects in relation to mutual recognition and in consultation with the Secretariat and the Vice-Chairs; further developing and monitoring implementation of integrated border management (single window) and related Customs matters; and implementation of the Columbus Programme. In relation to these matters, specific work will be carried out by the Group and brought forward to the appropriate body for endorsement or further direction. Required tasks will be carried out in periodic meetings convened by the Secretariat and presided over by the Co-Chairpersons (Customs and PSCG) designated by the Group.

 

Key Deliverables

 

The SAFE Working Group key deliverables are to :

 

Means of Operation

 

The SAFE Working Group will meet under the leadership of its Co-Chairpersons, with membership being determined as specified above.

 

The Secretariat will arrange for a Members-only meeting before the convening of a meeting of the SAFE Working Group.

 

The service term and continued standing of any PSCG member will be as specified in the PSCG Terms of Reference.

 

The terms of other members will remain unrestricted. Agendas for meetings of the SAFE Working Group will be prepared in recognition of separate meetings of the Customs and Private Sector Consultative Group delegates, as necessary.

 

The time to be allocated for such meetings will be determined by the scope of issues to be discussed.

 

Resources Required

 

The SAFE Working Group will hold its sessions as and when required, and subject to approval by the appropriate bodies. It will normally meet twice a year. However, the Secretary General may determine whether circumstances dictate the need for scheduling meetings more or less frequently. Normally each session will last two days, depending on the number and complexity of items on the agenda, with the Customs and PSCG representatives meeting in plenary sessions. The general administrative arrangements and provision of support services shall be the responsibility of the WCO Secretariat.