Purpose-of-transaction codes

Decision directed to Standing Committee

The Standing Committee shall re-establish an intersessional joint working group to review the use of purpose-of-transaction codes by Parties, with the following terms of reference: a) the working group shall be composed of Parties from as many of the six CITES regions as possible, and appropriate intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, when possible, with expertise in the issuance of CITES documents and use of purpose-of-transaction codes for evaluation within the permit issuance process and trade data analysis; b) the working group shall focus on clearly defining purpose-of transaction codes, other than those adopted as of CoP20, to encourage their consistent use, and consider the possible elimination or amendment of current codes or the inclusion of new ones. In particular the working group shall continue the discussions on purpose codes ‘Q’, ‘B’. ‘G’, ‘P’ and ‘S’, with purpose code ‘P’ and ‘B’ as a priority. Purpose code ‘Z’ remains defined and may need minor modifications depending on the discussion of purpose code ‘B’, if necessary; c) the working group shall also consider any Resolution related to or affected by purpose-of-transaction codes, to ensure coherent interpretation; and d) the working group shall submit a report and any recommendations for amendments to Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP20) on Permits and certificates, or to any revision thereof, and recommendations for amendments to any other Resolution identified under paragraph c) above to the 82nd meeting of the Standing Committee, which shall report, with its recommendations, at the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties.