The World Customs Organization’s Data Model Projects Team (DMPT) met recently as part of its ongoing work to develop the next version of the WCO Data Model Package.
The recent meeting by the team consisting of WCO member administrations, representatives from international organizations, and private sector participants discussed how to make the WCO Data Model Package more user-friendly.
The package is a collection of international standards on data and information required not only by customs administrations, but also by government agencies. It was developed in order to achieve a consensus on how data will be used in applying regulatory facilitation and controls in global trade.
The team discussed how to make the WCO Data Model up to date and reflect the current needs of stakeholders involved in all cross-border processes.
“The use of spreadsheets to publish the WCO Data Model Information Package, supplemented by explanatory notes on how to work with the spreadsheets, was believed to be one approach to facilitating utilization of the WCO Data Model,” said the WCO in a release.
The Data Model also includes information packages, which are standard electronic templates linked to business processes—goods declarations, cargo reports, conveyance reports, licences/permits, and certificates. It is a library of data components and electronic document templates that can be used to effectively exchange business data.
The Projects Team mulled ways to promote global adoption of the WCO Data Model, particularly of the information packages.
The DMPT likewise examined the model’s existing e-Phyto certificate Derived Information Package (DIP), which is to be used to support the International Plant Protection Convention in developing its global e-Phyto certificate. The use of the DIP will enable customs to re-use the e-Phyto information transmitted through the hub, for example, as a reference for controlling the validity of agriculture-related products.
In addition, one of the DMPT focus groups continued to work on maintaining the maritime-related message standards contained in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Facilitation (FAL) Compendium. Progress was made during the session with the development of a data definition and an information model for the compendium.
Photo: Chief Photographer/MOD, OGL
