This workshop focused on key issues related to Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) and the environment. It had three main objectives: (i) to take stock of current experience and insights on RTAs and the environment from different stakeholders, and to establish a stakeholder dialogue on this topic; (ii) to investigate how RTAs can serve as a vehicle to advance a resource efficient and circular economy transition; and (iii) to explore the potential of RTAs in addressing the nexus of illegal trade and environmental crime

1. V
www.wcoomd.org
10-11 June 2021
1
OECD Workshop on
Regional Trade Agreements
and the Environment

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WCO INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS THEME
“Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and
Resilience for a sustainable supply chain”
WCO Environmental scan
183 members – 98% of trade

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4. www.wcoomd.org

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CONSIDERATIONS
• DEMETER / THUNDER
• PWP / AP Plastic Waste Border Management
Project (Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri-
Lanka), Circular Economy
• Differentiate
• LEGAL Trade (Facilitate)
• ILLEGAL Trade (Identify and remove TBM
consignments)

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LEGAL TRADE
Trade Data: E.g. Nat Single Window - other gov
partners (e.g. NFP or NDA) for compliance
verification and processing
-Single Window aims to digitalise & streamline
processes - businesses will ultimately no longer have
to submit documents to several authorities through
different portals
- Digitisation and integration essential

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European Union

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ILLEGAL TRADE
• Competing priorities (within international
trade, within enf)
• Capacity (specialised) = unique skills
required
• RM (indicators and profiles + inspections)
Data requirement (C2C / NFP / Nat Des Aut)
• Johannesburg and Nairobi Conventions

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ILLEGAL TRADE (2)
• To date information: Custodians at border
line – e.g. Prohibited and Restricted Imports
and Exports
• NB to prosecute where applicable –
dismantle criminal networks
• Awareness and political will (requires
resources taken away from other
priorities/developing economy construct)

10. SUMMARY
1. Digitisation (legal and illegal trade benefits)
2. Integration of data (“)
3. Awareness (e.g. revenue on timber)
4. Political will reflected in strategic plans
5. Cooperation formalised (C2C, C2B, C2Gov)
6. Capacity (knowledge and skills – Env requires
dedicated skills)
7. Enforcement plan (backed by rigorous RM)

11. Roux Raath roux.raath@wcoomd.org