Why is the Harmonized System not amended more often to meet the needs of the trade?
The Harmonized System is only amended every 5 years. There are several reasons and, frankly, competing interests. The drafting of amendments usually takes several years of deliberation by the Committees concerned and consultations with the trade. Thereafter, the HSC and the Secretariat need several years for revision of the HS publications, whereas Member administrations need time for GATT negotiations, national legislative procedures, translation into languages other than French and English, etc.
