Confirmed by the Council: June 2019
Established: 2019
Updated: June 2022
Duration: June 2023
1. Mandate
1.1. With reference to Docs. SP0645E1a, SP0650E1b and SC0179E1a, Members indicated their desire to move forward with organizational performance measurement work in three ways :
(i) Develop a new WCO mechanism for comprehensive performance measurement covering all Customs’ competency areas (and going beyond the Time Release Study);
(ii) Review and work with WCO partner organizations to improve existing reports that might be used to monitor aspects of Customs performance, specifically promoting Customs as a major respondent in such evaluation exercises and the WCO’s role as a key player in professional Customs performance measurement globally; and
(iii) Assess the resource implications for the WCO Secretariat and Members in relation to the development and management of the WCO performance measurement mechanism in coordination with the Finance Committee and Policy Commission.
2. Membership
2.1. The Working Group shall be comprised of WCO Members.
2.2. The Working Group may invite representative/s from the Private Sector Consultative Group, partner international governmental and non-governmental organizations, and other external stakeholders and academia, to attend the meetings as necessary.
3. Purpose and Scope
3.1. The scope of the Working Group on Performance Measurement is to develop a comprehensive Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) including key performance indicators (KPIs), both quantitative and qualitative, in all Customs competencies (revenue collection, trade facilitation and economic competitiveness, enforcement, security and protection of society, etc.). The mechanism should address the issue of diversity in current realities and to create reliable assessments. It is expected that the mechanism will be recognized as the leading standard for performance measurement of Customs and used to influence policy makers and to support improvements in Customs’ organizational performance as well as WCO tools and instruments.
3.2. Any engagement with other institutions should be aimed at supporting and promoting the WCO`s leading role in professional development of Customs competencies and performance measurement. The goal is to encourage other international organizations in their performance measurement activities to better engage with Customs administrations.
3.3. In addition, indicators for this assessment should monitor the extent to which WCO tools, instruments and recommendations have been applied, as well as support their evaluation in line with emerging international practice.
4. Key Deliverables
4.1. The key deliverables of the Working Group are to :
(i) Develop a new WCO mechanism of Customs administration performance measurement with the corresponding specific indicators, and implementation methodology, building on existing WCO tools; and taking into account the resource implications for the WCO and the Members; and
(ii) Review and work with WCO partner organizations to influence existing reports that might be used to monitor aspects of Customs performance.
4.2. The specific products/documents to be delivered are :
(i) A work plan, updated as necessary;
(ii) Progress reports after each meeting of the Working Group, sent to
the Permanent Technical Committee for its guidance, will be shared with WCO Members;
(iii) Relevant reports setting out the deliberations and recommendations of
the Working Group for the Finance Committee one month in advance of its sessions for recommendations and further guidance on resource implication;
(iv) A written report setting out the deliberations and recommendations of
the Working Group, with Finance Committee input, for consideration by the Policy Commission one month in advance of its session for recommendations and further guidance and a subsequent decision, as necessary, by the Council.
4.3. In parallel to developing the products/documents above, the Working Group is to :
(i) Provide primary technical guidance and advice in conducting a pilot survey;
(ii) Manage supervision of pilot survey data collection and ensure implementation of quality control measures during data collection and data entry at all levels;
(iii) Define disclosure and publication policies of data and analysis;
(iv) Provide technical guidance and advice in conducting assessments under the PMM.
5. Means of Operation
5.1. Members of the Working Group shall elect annually the Chairperson and
the Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Working Group. The outgoing Chairperson will be eligible for re-election.
5.2. The Chairperson shall liaise closely with the regional Vice-Chairpersons in order to ensure input and support to the overall initiative by all WCO Member administrations.
5.3. The Chairperson shall liaise closely with the other working bodies in order to ensure input and the reduction of duplication in the development of KPIs across other WCO working bodies.
5.4. The Working Group shall organize joint meetings with other WCO bodies where this may be useful, where resources permit.
5.5. The Working Group shall carry out its work through at least two annual meetings to be held primarily at WCO Headquarters.
5.6. When appropriate, intersessional work will be carried out “virtually” via e-mail, telephone, video conferencing and the CLiKC! platform, as appropriate.
5.7. The agenda, with attached meeting papers, will be forwarded to the Working Group members by close of business 30 days prior to the scheduled meeting.
5.8. All working documents will be available in English and French.
5.9. Meetings held at WCO Headquarters will be conducted with simultaneous interpretation in English and French.
5.10. The report of the Working Group shall be distributed to participants within three weeks after the meeting.
5.11. Invite representatives from the private sector, other international organizations and academia to attend the meetings, as guided by the WGPM.
6. Resources Required
6.1. The members of the Working Group will fund their own participation, including travel, daily subsistence allowances and accommodation expenses.
6.2. The WCO Secretariat will provide the necessary support.