Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken in the Council for Trade in Goods of the World Trade Organisation

Summary:

Proposal presented on 15 October 2019 by the European Commission establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the Union regarding the proposed adoption of the rules of procedure of the Committee on Trade Facilitation.

Further information:

The Trade Facilitation Agreement was adopted with the aim of simplifying, modernising and facilitating export and import processes among WTO members. It contains provisions on speedier, simplified, more transparent and more efficient procedures at the border, expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit and sets out measures for effective cooperation among customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance. The Agreement entered into force on 22 February 2017.

Article 23.1 of the Agreement establishes the Committee on Trade Facilitation and provides that "the Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure". To that end, a proposal was made by Japan, Argentina, Norway and Paraguay which received full support at the Committee’s meeting on 25 June 2019. The proposed rules are of an administrative nature and ensure the efficient organisation and proceedings during the meetings of the Trade Facilitation Committee.