Brussels, 08/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 January, the European Commission adopted a communication on management of customs risks and the ways of improving the security of the supply chain. It is thus setting out a strategy to help the EU's customs services tackle the risks involved in dangerous goods (counterfeiting, contraband and arms trafficking etc.) being traded throughout the international supply chains. These risks have increased significantly and have become far more complex through the development of trade and the increasing variety of partners involved in the supply chain.
The Commission intends to come at the problem from different angles, making more rational use of resources, improving the quality and availability of trade data and trade flows, and building closer partnerships with the EU's trade and international partners. The release and systematic sharing of information and intelligence from different sources will be integrated and complement the action adopted by the various member states.
In practical terms, the Commission is proposing a number of different action areas: - traders should make quality data available at the right time, in the right place for effective risk management; - deeper engagement between customs and companies moving goods across borders; - ensuring a more common implementation of risk management throughout the external EU borders; - considering the creation of a risk management capacity at EU level to complement member state efforts; - more structured and systematic cooperation between customs and other authorities (intelligence, police, economic affairs, health authorities, etc.); - increased international cooperation with the EU's main trading partners. (FG/transl.fl)