WCO and UNIFAB sign an MOU to combat counterfeiting

Brussels, 14 June 2012

Press Release

Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Philippe Lacoste, Vice President of the Union des Fabricants (UNIFAB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their close cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting, at the close of UNIFAB's General Assembly in Paris on 13 June 2012.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is designed to improve efficiences in the fight against counterfeiting through strengthened collaboration between the two organizations, and will facilitate the realization of common, innovative and complementary actions.

"I am pleased, on behalf of our members, that the signing of this MOU formalizes the close partnership that UNIFAB and the WCO have built over recent years for better consumer protection and greater economic transparency," said Christian Peugeot, President of UNIFAB.

"Faced by the growing trade in counterfeit goods flooding world markets, the WCO and its Members are determined to work with all concerned organizations to fight this menace in order to protect the health and safety of consumers across the globe," said WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya.

Besides acknowledging each organizations respective activity in the fight against counterfeiting, the MOU fosters two more important areas of practical cooperation: the promotion of the Interface Public-Members (IPM), a tool developed by the WCO to enhance communication between Customs and rights holders; and the sharing of information that will facilitate the training of Customs officers.

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