How can we speed up the decision making process of the Harmonized System Committee?
An excellent question, and one which the Harmonized System Committee has been grappling with. We have recently taken steps to expedite the reservation procedure which should result in a quicker reconsideration of decisions which one or more countries cannot accept. The best way to ensure a quick response by the HSC is for Customs administrations to submit questions on a timely basis with all of the information necessary for a considered decision. Economically important questions such as those usually considered by the HSC require time for trade consultations. It is therefore imperative that sufficient time be given to administrations for that purpose.
