Held in Brussels from 2-13 July at the World Customs Organization
(WCO) headquarters, the two-week conference focuses on the development of
technical skills for customs and trade practitioners.
“This
Knowledge Academy provides the ideal venue to master the challenges posed by
global trade,” said WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya.
Participants
broadened their knowledge, shared experiences and network during masterclasses
covering topics, such as the Harmonized System 2012, the WCO Data Model,
Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) and the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards.
During the full day of discussions on matters relating to
certificates of origin, Steve Baker, Advisor to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and
Deputy Chair of the WCF Certificate of Origin Task Force, covered the UK’s
particular experience in regards to its close relationship with Customs in issuing
Preferential Certificates of Origin (PCOs) and e-Certificates of Origin.
Mr Baker said that with an increase of preferential trade
agreements, chambers were extremely well placed to support Customs in issuing
certificates of origin under these trade agreements. Mr Baker noted that in the
UK, an agreement between customs and chambers had made it possible for UK
chambers to issue PCOs and presented the agreement reached between UK Customs
and BCC as an example.
During his intervention, Steve Baker informed attendees about
ICC WCF’s leadership in establishing the global standard for the issuance of certificates
of origins, sharing with customs and traders present, the International CO
Accreditation Chain and accompanying seal appearing on future COs issued by
participating chambers. This initiative, he said, reinforced the
interconnections of the global network of chambers, ensuring CO
credibility and assurance for business and customs in an independent,
responsible and accountable way.
"The
British Chamber of Commerce is justly proud of ICC WCF’s recognition of its
Certification Procedures, which served as a foundation for the ICC CO
International Guidelines published in 2006 and since translated into six
languages. BCC looks forward to extending its working partnership with ICC WCF
in developing this range and improving the effectiveness of chamber services
worldwide," Mr Baker said.
He also took the occasion to emphasize to customs officials the
urgent need for their agencies and ministries to recognize electronic COs.
The
WCO Knowledge Academy
for Customs and Trade was organized in three tracks, based on
the structure of the WCO: “Track
one - Tariff and Trade Affairs, which includes the Harmonized
System, Customs Valuation, and Rules of Origin modules; Track two – Trade
Compliance and Facilitation, which includes the WCO Data Model, AEO/SAFE, and
Risk Management. Track three
includes Trade Facilitation and Globally Networked Customs.
For
more information on the WCO Knowledge Academy, please see the event website
For
more information visit the WCF Accreditation Initiative
Get a copy of the ICC WCFInternational Certificate of Origin Guidelines