The new report shows that containerships carry more than half of all seized counterfeits and provides an urgent and compelling need for governments to set new standards for mitigating the abuse of international maritime shipping lines by illicit traders. 

​The Task Force meeting also addressed high-risk areas of the economy—pharmaceuticals, alcohol, food, tobacco and counterfeiting online—that were particularly impacted by illicit trade during the pandemic, and the need to evaluate best practices to improve regulations and mitigate the problem. 

Moving forward, TRACIT believes the Task Force should build upon the impressive body of quantitative work to more effectively deliver on its High Level Risk Forum mandate to ‘design and promote good practices in public policies as a means to reduce and deter trafficking and smuggling activities,’ and to map policies and practices and develop metrices on the governance gaps that foster illicit trade. 

This includes cultivating the work of the  task force within OECD member governments – to ensure that work is directed to the right national agencies and that messages and guidance properly percolate throughout national capitals. For example, the OECD Council’s Recommendation on Countering Illicit Trade: Enhancing Transparency in Free Trade Zones contains much-needed guidance for OECD member states. Success here will depend on work engagement, adoption and implementation by OECD governments. The OECD has changed the game here, now it’s time from member state to see it through.​

The Task Force should also look at ways to increase engagement and share its experience with non-OECD Member States that value the expertise of the OECD and look to it for leadership and guidance.  This includes regions such as ASEAN, which is in the process of addressing illicit trade and establishing its own policy standards.

Finally, I was pleased by the continued engagement with the private sector - especially those legitimate industry players most impacted by illicit trade. Industry partners represented by the Anti Illicit Trade Expert Group of the Business at OECD share the common goal of countering illicit trade and provide critical market knowledge, supply chain expertise and technical innovation. The ongoing public-private sector dialogue ensures a more effective approach to countering illicit trade by balancing incentive setting, taking into account industry-specific sensitivities and competitive advantages on private and public sides.
​
If there is one thing we have learned from the Task Force’s work and accomplishments over the last nine years is that mitigating the cross-sectoral challenge of illicit trade is going to require an international, coordinated, response by all affected parties – and a lot of hard work!

Jeffrey Hardy
Director-General, TRACIT

Back in 1985, the UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection introduced a new and somewhat revolutionary set of global standards for protecting consumers from potentially hazardous goods or services. 

30 years later, monumental changes in the global marketplace called for a much-needed update of the Guidelines. Among new provisions introduced in 2015, the Guidelines flagged the emerging risk of fraud to consumers shopping online, including the availability of counterfeits. 
But there is still much work to be done because online sales have grown to represent upwards of 15 percent of global retail sales and the value of counterfeits purchased online is over $300 Billion.

Consequently, #WorldConsumerRightsDay is an appropriate day to raise awareness! Consumers are entitled to an online shopping experience that is safe and secure from fraud. Online platforms connecting people and those that profit from commerce over their websites should be responsible, comply with the law and recognize the ethical responsibility to assure consumers a safe and trusted environment.  
TRACIT has been pleased to work with @UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy and @OECD Committee on Consumer Policy to safeguard consumers new online risks.

Let’s start today, let’s work towards: 

1. Improve verification requirements of parties selling products on eCommerce platform 
2. Publish information on eCommerce suppliers to ensure that there is more transparency and accountability online.
3. Establish a new benchmark for contributory liability for selling counterfeit goods on behalf of third-party sellers
4. Implement a system that bans counterfeiters and prevents them from rejoining or remaining on the platform.

 
To learn more about TRACIT’s eCommerce and fraudulent advertising principles & positions, please visit: https://www.tracit.org/counterfeiting--piracy.html