Decision: working group on tracking and tracing systems (article 8)

MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE PROTOCOL TO ELIMINATE ILLICIT TRADE IN TOBACCO PRODUCTS FCTC/MOP2(6) 16 November 2021 Second session Geneva, Switzerland, 15–18 November 2021 13 DECISION FCTC/MOP2(6) Working group on tracking and tracing systems (Article 8) The Meeting of the Parties (MOP), Recalling Article 8 of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, Also recalling decision FCTC/MOP1(6) on tracking and tracing systems, including the global information-sharing focal point and unique identification markings for cigarette packets and packages, Having considered the report of the Working Group on tracking and tracing systems contained in document FCTC/MOP/2/6, Recognizing the comprehensive report made by the Working Group with regard to the collection of information on the establishment of tracking and tracing systems, Acknowledging the situation regarding the small number of Parties that reported having tracking and tracing systems currently in place, Recognizing the recommendations made by the Working Group with regard to the establishment of the global information-sharing focal point, Considering that certain provisions of Article 8 must be implemented by the Parties within a certain period following the entry into force of the Protocol, namely Article 8.1 (global tracking and tracing, five years) and Article 8.3 (unique identification markings, five and 10 years), Also considering paragraphs 12 and 13 of Article 8, as well as the provisions of Article 4.2 of the Protocol and Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, 1. REMINDS Parties to fulfil their obligations under Article 8 of the Protocol and to inform the Convention Secretariat about their tracking and tracing systems for tobacco products; 2. DECIDES: (a) to adopt the recommendations made by the Working Group on the concept for a global information-sharing focal point contained in document FCTC/MOP/2/6; (b) to extend the mandate of the Working Group on Tracking and Tracing Systems with a view to further developing the technical specifications of the global information-sharing focal point, to FCTC/MOP2(6) 2 guide the implementation of the global information-sharing focal point and to develop proposals for a suitable governance structure, covering various aspects of the global information-sharing focal point system; (c) to request the Working Group to draw a road map setting out the various phases for implementing the global information-sharing focal point taking into account the number of Parties that have established national or regional tracking and tracing systems at each stage, the information exchange needs of those Parties, and the compatibility and connectivity of their systems with the IT infrastructure of the global information exchange system; the road map should also set out the development costs for each stage of this project. 3. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat: (a) to make the necessary arrangements, including budgetary arrangements, for the Working Group to complete its work; in consultation with the Bureau of the MOP and by September 2023, to make the necessary arrangements for the implementation of an interim solution of the global information-sharing focal point, based on a manual exchange of information through an encrypted messaging system until the necessary conditions for setting up information technology infrastructure to host the information exchanges of the global information-sharing focal point are met; (b) to collect information on national and regional tracking and tracing systems and to report on their findings to the Third Session of the Meeting of the Parties in order to evaluate the possibility of establishing an automated exchange system. (Second Plenary meeting, 16 November 2021) = = =