REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a paperless environment for customs and trade

23.11.2006 - (COM(2005)0609 – C6‑0420/2005 – 2005/0247(COD)) - ***I

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Rapporteur: Christopher Heaton-Harris

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a paperless environment for customs and trade

(COM(2005)0609 – C6‑0420/2005 – 2005/0247(COD))

(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2005)0609)[1],

–   having regard to Article 251(2) and Articles 95 and 135 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C6‑0420/2005),

–   having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (A6‑0407/2006),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

• [1]  Not yet published in OJ.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

1. Objective

The main objective of the Decision promoting electronic customs is the implementation of interoperable and accessible automated customs systems and of coordinated processes and services, both under the current and the future modernized Customs Code. It is intended to create the necessary commitment, with regard to border agencies other than customs, in order to implement the concepts of a 'Single Window' and a 'One-Stop Shop'. The main purpose of the Decision is to determine what action needs to be taken and what deadlines met by all stakeholders for the achievement of a simple and paperless environment for customs and trade by the time the modernized Customs Code enters into force.

By setting up and operating secure, interoperable and accessible electronic customs systems the supply chain logistics and customs processes should be improved and facilitated. The proposal provides for greater efficiency of customs clearance, simplification of administrative procedures for public (EU or national) and private parties and facilitation of trade.

Especially, an electronic environment for customs and trade, consisting of accessible and interoperable customs systems, could lead to a faster release of goods. Besides, economic operators could be able to conduct their customs-related business with the customs administration at the place where they are established (centralised customs clearance and single access point).

Furthermore, the safety of goods and security of international trade should be increased, environmental and consumer protection should be enhanced through better targeted customs controls based on electronic risk management systems.

2. Background

Member States have already invested significantly in the development of automated customs systems. However, the difference between existing systems, sets of rules and data used offsets the advantages of any harmonization achieved in this field so far, primarily because of the lack of interoperability between these systems. It is essential that customs systems are able to exchange electronic information and are provided with a range of interfaces with the trade, based on commonly used technology.

Community-wide IT applications for customs clearance do not yet exist, apart from the new computerized transit system, NCTS, which has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of such systems and opens new opportunities for similar applications in other customs regimes. This would require the introduction of a convergence framework and, where appropriate, common standards and structures.

The rapporteur supports the objectives and the content of the proposal.

Therefore, he proposes to adopt the Commission proposal without amendment.

PROCEDURE

Title

Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a paperless environment for customs and trade

References

COM(2005)0609 – C6‑0420/2005 – 2005/0247(COD)

Date submitted to Parliament

30.11.2005

Committee responsible   Date announced in plenary

IMCO 17.1.2006

Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)   Date announced in plenary

CONT 17.1.2006

ITRE 17.1.2006

LIBE 17.1.2006

Not delivering opinion(s)   Date of decision

CONT 25.1.2006

ITRE 21.2.2006

LIBE 23.1.2006

Enhanced cooperation   Date announced in plenary

Rapporteur(s)   Date appointed

Christopher Heaton-Harris 30.1.2006

Previous rapporteur(s)

Simplified procedure – date of decision

Legal basis disputed   Date of JURI opinion

Financial endowment amended   Date of BUDG opinion

European Economic and Social Committee consulted – date of decision in plenary

Committee of the Regions consulted – date of decision in plenary

Discussed in committee

20.2.2006

19.4.2006

30.5.2006

13/9.2006

21.11.2006

Date adopted

22.11.2006

Result of final vote

+: –: 0:

32 0 0

Members present for the final vote

Charlotte Cederschiöld, Mia De Vits, Janelly Fourtou, Małgorzata Handzlik, Malcolm Harbour, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Anna Hedh, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Alexander Lambsdorff, Kurt Lechner, Arlene McCarthy, Manuel Medina Ortega, Zita Pleštinská, Guido Podestà, Giovanni Rivera, Luisa Fernanda Rudi Ubeda, Heide Rühle, Leopold Józef Rutowicz, Christel Schaldemose, Andreas Schwab, Eva-Britt Svensson, József Szájer, Marianne Thyssen, Jacques Toubon, Bernadette Vergnaud

Substitute(s) present for the final vote

André Brie, Jean-Claude Fruteau, Konstantinos Hatzidakis, Maria Matsouka, Olle Schmidt, Anja Weisgerber

Substitute(s) under Rule 178(2) present for the final vote

Marie-Line Reynaud

Date tabled

23.11.2006

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