19/06/2017 (Agence Europe) – In a press release on Monday 19 June, the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) called for more cooperation between supply chain operators and member states in the development of the e-CMR system (electronic consignment note) in the European Union. The e-CMR system is the result of a 2008 UN protocol and it helps replace the handwritten consignment note, providing information on the different parties involved and goods concerned in the international merchandise transport domain. Whilst welcoming the introduction of the system in Spain and France, the ESC regrets that the majority of member states have not ratified this protocol. Machiel van der Kuijl, the ESC vice-chairman, says that “if used throughout Europe, the e-CMR will open the opportunity for parties in the supply chain to exchange logistical data”. (LT)