Customs programme for cooperation in the field of customs 2021–2027

The European Parliament adopted by 558 votes to 35, with 52 abstentions, a legislative resolution to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the ‘Customs’ programme for cooperation in the field of customs.

The European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission's proposal as follows:

Objectives

This Regulation seeks to establish the customs programme for cooperation in the field of customs for the period 2021-2027. Members pointed out that the long-term objective of the programme should be to ensure that all EU customs administrations work together as closely as possible, to guarantee the safety and security of Member States and to protect the Union against fraud and unfair and unlawful commercial practices, while encouraging legitimate economic activities and a high level of consumer protection.

The Programme has the following specific objectives:

- to assist with IT capacity building, which consists in developing, maintaining and operating the electronic systems of the Union Customs Code, and enabling a smooth transition to a paperless environment and trade in line with this Regulation;

- to finance joint actions, which consist in cooperation mechanisms enabling officials to carry out joint operational activities under their core responsibilities, share experience in the customs field and join efforts to deliver on customs policy;

- to enhance human competencies, supporting the professional skills of customs officials and empowering them to fulfil their role on a uniform basis;

- to support innovation in the area of customs policy.

Budget

Parliament proposed a financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021-2027 of EUR 842 844 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 950 million in current prices).

The Programme shall not be used to cover costs relating to the potential withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. The Commission shall reserve upon its own assessment resources in order to cover the costs relating to the disengagement of the United Kingdom from all Union customs systems and cooperation, and the lapsing of its legal obligations in this area.

Members considered that the purchase of software that is needed to perform tight border controls should be eligible for funding under the Programme. Furthermore, they suggested that the purchase of software that can be used in all Member States should be encouraged in order to facilitate exchange of data.

External experts

They shall be selected by the Commission on the basis of their competence, experience in the field of application of this Regulation and their relevant knowledge of the specific action being taken, avoiding any potential conflict of interest. The selection shall strike a balance between business representatives and other civil society experts, as well as take into account the principle of gender equality. The list of external experts shall be regularly updated and made accessible to the public.

Multiannual work programmes

The Programme shall be implemented by multiannual work programmes which shall set out the objectives to be pursued, the expected results, the method of implementation and the total amount of the financing plan. They shall also set out in detail a description of the actions to be financed, an indication of the amount allocated to each action and an indicative implementation timetable.

Indicators for reporting on the performance of the Programme towards the achievement of the specific objectives provided for in Annex 2. The Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with reliable information on the quality of the performance data used.

The interim evaluation of the programme shall be carried out as soon as sufficient information on its implementation is available, but no later than three years after the start of the programme implementation.