Legal Interoperability to Enable Cross-Border Data Exchange through SW Facilities Prof. Dr. HONG XUE Director of BNU Institute for Internet Policy & Law EGM on Integrated Use of Single Windows for TF Bangkok 8 September 2015 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 1
Legal Framework Legal or regulatory framework on cross-border data exchange through SW facilities International interconnection for SW facilities to enable crossborder data exchange Law on SW service providers International trade law Cyber security law Privacy and data protection law Intellectual property law (copyright, trade secret, database, patent) Dispute resolution (arbitration, ODR, etc.) Private International law Competition law 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 2
Mechanisms for Legal Interoperability Multilateral agreements United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts (effective March 2013) Pluri-lateral Agreements TPP TTIP Regional/sub-regional agreements Arrangement/Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade for the Asia Pacific Region ASW Bilateral agreements (FTAs, FIAs, etc.) Best Endeavors and other non-binding endorsement or commitments 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 3
SW Facilities SW facilities: submit data or documents through single entry point UNECE Recommendation 33 Recommendation and Guidelines on Establishing a Single Window UNECE Recommendation 35 Establishing a Legal Framework for International Trade Single Window WTO TFA SW or NSW Governmental agency (China s e-port system) Public entity Private sector MS entity E-commerce complex platform (e.g. Alibaba E-datong; Hangzhou cross-border e-commerce pilot project ) Legal status and liabilities 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 4
SW International Interconnection UNECAP Resolution Enabling paperless trade and the crossborder recognition of electronic data and documents for inclusive and sustainable intraregional trade facilitation (68/3) May 2012 Avoiding trade barriers Enabling and facilitating the cross-border recognition and electronic exchange of trade documents Promoting uniformity and interoperability according to the international standards Considering the bilateral and sub-regional agreements on the cross-border recognition and exchange of traderelated documents 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 5
SW Interoperability (Draft) Arrangement/Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade for the Asia Pacific Region Country that applies the following principles to exchange of trade-related data and documents in electronic form will establish common levels of trust and increase interoperability. 1. Technology neutrality 2. Functional equivalence 3. Non-discrimination of the use of electronic communications 4. Promotion of Interoperability 5. Improved trade facilitation and regulatory compliance 6. Partnership between public and private sectors 7. Ensuring data reliability, integrity and privacy 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 6
International Trade Law Source of laws United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts UNCITRAL Model Laws Legal issues Electronic communication of trade data or documents Cross-border recognition of e-contracts and e-signs e-certificates and CAs Identity management 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 7
Cross-border Data Flow Cross-border Data Flow among B2B, B2G and G2G Data protection and confidence Security Identification management (authentication and authorization) Cross-border B2G and G2G access and share Data quality Trade data Personal data and information privacy Trade secret and other confidential information intellectual property Big data and clouding national cyber security 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 8
Cyber Security National security: barriers for sharing In many countries, access and sharing trade data has had to be authorized in national law before information can be shared or exchanged with another country s Customs Administration. It will be important to other Customs Administrations with which information and data may be shared is legally permitted to ensure cross-border data flow has legal validity. Cyber security: barriers for data flow Data localization/sovereignty Extraterritorial law enforcement 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 9
Privacy & Personal Data Protection Legal protection Privacy (personally identifiable information) versus confidentiality (related to both trade data and business information). Privacy protection versus data protection The adoption of international legal standards and best practices is advisable. APEC 2004 APEC Privacy Framework 2007 Data Privacy Pathfinder initiative 2010 Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA) OECD Guidelines EU-US Safe harbor 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 10
Barriers to Cross-Border Data Flow Difficulties and trade barriers Lack of international legal framework for data protection and data flow Lack of uniform standards Intensifying cyber-security concerns 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 11
Conclusion On one hand: the current legal framework can meet the basic needs of transactions in crossborder paperless trade. On the other: more interoperable legal norms are needed to enable cross-border data exchange through SW facilities. 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 12
THANK YOU! 2015/9/4 Prof. Dr. Hong Xue 13