17-11-05 ANNEX IV Scientific programmes and initiatives
DG TAXUD Pre-feasibility study for an observation system of the External Border of the European Union In this study, the external border will be seen as the set of exchanges of goods, persons, services and capital between the Union and third countries, rather than as a geographical separation line. Although surveillance of cross-border movements is more developed for persons and goods than for services and capital, there are links (direct or reversed) between the four types of flows and between the associated risks. A comprehensive approach to the functioning of the external border requires a transparent and coherent description of all these links. However, for the sake of the feasibility might be proposed a simplified approach, if the gathering and treatment of some types of information on certain capital flows proves to be too difficult. The study will be composed of two successive parts: a) Comparative analysis of the different methods (such as Systems dynamics) applicable to the gathering and structuring information on the border exchanges and to the monitoring of the risks associated with external exchanges of the EU, followed by a recommendation to use one of these methods. b) Proposal for the actual establishment of an observation system of the functioning of the European external border. This part of the study should be based on one of the methods proposed in the first part of the study and approved by the steering group. Depending on the analysis of the outcome of the first stage of the study, the Commission will decide to proceed or not with the second stage of the study. In case of a positive decision this second stage will be implemented with the same contractor or another one. The study will investigate which inputs are required for building an effective and efficient system for observation and coordination of the external border. The study is expected to give an updated picture of the present situation of the different exchanges taking place at the external border, and of the risks which might be associated to these exchanges; propose a common and comprehensive approach for the four kinds of exchanges; propose ways for closer cooperation (across different Member States and across different departments concerned) between administrations in charge of the surveillance of exchanges of goods, people, capital and services (for ex.: between the spanish police and the polish customs). propose ways to integrate information gathering and sharing systems operated by, for example, Customs and Veterinary authorities in order to ensure better knowledge and implementation of controls on all flows of animals and animal products imported into Community; list the different kinds of information on the exchanges at the external border, for example on police, veterinary, transport, or customs matters, and identify which
information should be directly transferred by the Observation System to the different administrations concerned in the EU; propose the ways for a better coordination of all programmes, actions or projects (sanitary, police, customs) concerned with the exchanges at the external border. The study will examine whether the observation system would require a completely new configuration or could be developed on the basis of already existing monitoring and surveillance systems (in particular electronic systems for the surveillance of movements of goods and persons). It will analyse which bridges have to be established with the existing systems and it will estimate the costs of different options; facilitate increased exchanges of all kinds between the EU and the rest of the world, making them easier and faster; provide the EU and its different partners with inputs necessary for an effective and coordinated management of their ("common") borders considered as a project of mutual interest. Moreover, the study could provide a basis for guidelines for EU policies in all above mentioned matters which are of common concern for different services. DG INFSO The work programme 2004-5, for IST Call 4, Strategic Objective 2.4.9 (ICT research for innovative Government), which was prepared in consultation with TAXUD, refers to 'single window customs'. 1 The call resulted in proposals addressing research on secure interoperability based on customs applications, and specifically an Integrated Project ITAIDE (Information Technology for Adoption and Intelligent Design for E-Government) is funded. The project starts on 1 st February 2006, and is 54months duration. ITAIDE innovates the redesign of systems leading to a fundamental simplification of taxation and customs procedures, while providing greater control, security, transparency and accessibility to data for the needs of public administration, business and citizens. ITAIDE integrates and strengthens European research for innovative modern government by enhancing service offerings and disseminating good governance practice through increased security and controls, while commensurately employing intelligent ICT to reduce administrative load burden. ITAIDE offers the standardisation of interfaces to taxation and customs systems across Member States as a tangible response to the Lisbon agenda, facilitating the free movement of goods within the internal market and reducing the impact of tax and customs compliance costs for business. Organisations interfacing with standard systems obtain internal efficiencies through the piggy-back principle, while well defined interfaces with public administration drive simplified and coherent back office development. This then supports interoperability with other business, contributing 1 http://www.cordis.lu/ist/workprogramme/fp6_workprogramme.htm
to a positive and beneficial network effect built around standard approaches sponsored by public administration. ETN Trans-European Electronic Customs Procedures: This is an eten 2 project which seeks the market validation for further deployment of eservices for electronic Customs clearance procedures in all EU countries. It is aimed to enterprises traders and intermediate agents in the rough sense- with the need of moving goods through the European Customs space and forced to the associated submission of forms and declarations related with different National Customs regulations. ETN is dealing with customs regulation handling of foreign trade and its forwarding in the EU where required.the services will be provided by the ETN Alliance, an association of CRSPs (Customs-related Service Providers) with recognised practice excellence. The national ETN Alliance partner, or the corresponding reseller will arrange for ETN services online access in their territory through Internet. The ETN partners do already provide services for most of the potential customers. The service portfolio is provided in a flat-rate fee basis plus an initial set-up fee. Customers will be billed a monthly amount for their contracted transaction amounts (declarations submitted, messages exchanged, ) and number of authorised users, as well as very specific customisations for a specific client. eeurope Awards projects (Manchester Ministerial Conference, 24-26 Nov 2006) FALSTAFF - Fully Automated Logical System Against Forgery and Fraud in the Italian Customs Information System AIDA; Italian Customs Agency, Italy (Enabling egovernment; eeurope Awards, Theme 1: The right environment; Honourable Mention): The project Falstaff from Italy, is a Customs Information System that focuses on identifying counterfeiting and fraud in the business supply chain. It integrates information from multiple sources, delivers a 20% productivity gain, and has 9,000 internal users, and 15,000 external users. Innovative and ambitious approach to tackling a serious problem for the Internal Market. An excellent example for other customs offices elsewhere in the EU, and should be the basis for widespread cooperation, which would increase impact. http://www.agenziadogane.gov.it/ CLIENT Controls on import and export of agricultural goods: The Dutch government has introduced an online service that simplifies and improves procedures for government and importing businesses and at the same time reduces the administrative burden on businesses. The introduction required the complete overhaul and redesign of the enforcement and monitoring processes at the borders with neighbouring countries for products of animal and vegetable origin. From April 2003 when the EU Internal Market requirement on cut flowers inspection came into force, the take up of electronic declarations rose to over 90% of the number of shipments, and the average processing time of a declaration was reduced from 24 to 12 hours. Having harmonised the business processes required to track all agricultural 2 http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/eten/projects/index_en.htm
products with those carried out by the Dutch Customs Agency and others, the overall service delivery has been speeded up and made more efficient. Multiple data collected by a number of different agencies can now be brought together, which has required a major exercise in co-operative and joint working between businesses, government agencies themselves and those engaged in agriculture. This is a clear example of the Dutch government providing the right environment for all aspects of egovernment and one from which the rest of Europe can clearly benefit. www.ictal.nl egovernment Readiness of Polish Customs: Electronic customs system leads Polish modernisation A total reorganisation of the Polish Customs was required for accession to the EU, and was an important part of the National egovernment strategy. From the outset, this reorganisation was used as an opportunity to move further in developing new and innovative systems for the Polish Customs and was dovetailed with the EU wide ecustoms strategy. Rolled out as the country wide implementation of the Integrated Customs Duty and Tax System (ICDTS), based on XML and web services, this is an example of how to successfully implement open standards for business. Today the ICDTS supports all customs procedures and documents in export, import and transit. It also supports financial processes such as collection, clearing and recovery of dues as well as budgeting and accounting. The ICDTS has increased transparency, security and safety in the transaction of customs business, as well as introduced standardisation in the context of an interoperable environment, whilst reducing costs. This logically integrated system stimulates advanced use of customs intelligence and risk analysis applications. The reorganisation and the introduction of electronic systems has facilitated trade as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the public administration in Poland. This is a useful case of front and back office reorganisation and transformation, which shows how the Customs Service can be used as an example for other areas of the public sector.www.mofnet.gov.pl/sluzba_celna Joint Research Centre (JRC) Security Network for Technological Research in Europe (SeNTRE) The SeNTRE support activity has the objective to prepare a strategic research plan for European security by establishing and consulting a network of users and technology experts at national and European levels in support of and to link with future EC Advisory Board on Security. Performed by a number of European organisations with relevant expertise in these domains, the study provides the EU with a comprehensive input for planning the programmes for security research. It brings together a network of users from Member States and European organisations and through this approach makes a major contribution to the security of the citizen in Europe. Politically, it develops support for the action and builds visibility. Technically, it helps achieve wider commonality of the best possible security systems in Europe. Organisationally, it paves the way for an
improved exchange between national and European levels through a network of security and technical experts. The results will be: a strategic research plan containing a list of prioritised short, medium and long term actions, a database of missions and technologies, an organised platform of users and technology experts for future consultation, and a methodology to organise and analyse the security needs at the operational level.