Ask an Expert: World Customs Organization

My name is Kathryn Garforth. I am the Legal Officer for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety with the CBD Secretariat.

My question for Mr. Shcheglov of the WCO is as follows:
Can the secretariat of a multilateral environmental agreement request an amendment to the Harmonized System or must proposals for amendments come from national authorities?

It has become a well-established practice for the WCO to receive proposals to amend the HS from international organisations or secretariats of multilateral agreements.  Such proposals are examined on the same footing with those submitted by WCO Members, that is, national Customs administrations.  This reinforces the WCO's long-term commitment to co-operation with other international organisations, by which synergies in pursuing common objectives are achived.

From the procedural perspective, the review of the Harmonized System (HS) is dealt with by the WCO HS Review Sub-Committee, under the general guidance of the HS Committee.  Representatives of intergovernmental or other international organisations can attend the Sub-Committee meetings subject to invitation by the WCO Secretary General.  Consequently, proposals concerning amendments of the HS are normally submitted directly to the HS Review Sub-Committee.