Electronic systems and information technology

Decision directed to Standing Committee

The Standing Committee shall, in consultation with the Secretariat, undertake the following tasks: a) work with relevant partners and Parties on the further development of standards and solutions for Electronic Permit Information eXchange (EPIX) for the exchange of CITES permit and certificate data and the improvement of the validation of CITES permit data by CITES Management Authorities and customs officials; b) review the Secretariat’s assessment in Decision 20.129, paragraph i) and provide its recommendations to the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP21); c) recognizing the importance of the requirement for endorsement of permits and certificates at export, monitor Parties’ pilot projects on possible alternatives to the physical endorsement of CITES permits/certificates based on the Guidelines on the use of 2D barcodes on CITES permits/certificates; d) monitor and advise on Parties’ work related to the development of traceability systems for specimens of CITES-listed species to facilitate their harmonization with CITES permits and certificates; e) continue to monitor the use of HS codes in implementing risk-based control procedures in different Parties; f) support building capacity of Management Authorities, especially those with the greatest needs, in line with the guidance developed, to electronically collect, secure, maintain, and transmit data, using e-permitting systems compatible with the technical specifications of the Secretariat and other Management Authorities; g) consider ways in which electronic CITES permitting systems can simplify procedures for the non-commercial movement of musical instruments; h) consider technical options to support implementation of e-permitting systems of nomenclatural changes to the Appendices in a manner that preserves historical trade data on any taxon independent of change in nomenclature and/or taxonomy; i) submit reports on activities undertaken under paragraphs a) to h) of the present Decision and make recommendations to the Conference of the Parties at its 21st meeting, as appropriate.