“The Workshop on the Implementation of the European Union’s Self-Certification Pilot Project” was organized on 7 October 2016 at Mercure Hotel, by Department of Import and Export which was chaired by Mrs. Banesaty Thephavong, Director General of Department of Import and Export. The workshop was supported by USAID Luna II Project .
The objective of this workshop was to create awareness on the implementation of the European Union’s Self-Certification Pilot Project on Registered Exporter System (REX) that allows selected entrepreneurs to entitle to certify product origin by themselves with the authorization of Department of Import and Export, Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The authorized self-certifier will export their products to EU under Generalized System of Preferences instead of obtaining the country of origin certification or Form A issued by the government authority.
Department of Import and Export, Ministry of Industry and Commerce had proposed to join the project earlier in April 2016. The project will become operational on 01 January 2017 and this system will be implemented at the same time with other granted GSP countries in 2020.
The participation of the Lao PDR to the REX aims to reform the certificate of origin issuance system into a modern system by using online certification system that will enhance transparency, and ability of officers to check on the origin of products. In case there is any enquiry on the rules of origin, entrepreneurs can contact with EU customs directly. This project will helps cut down on documentation procedures and it will increase transparency, facilitate checking, systemizing data collection, and reduce time and costs.
The workshop caught wide interest from relevant agencies and private sector. Ministry of Industry and Commerce will draft detailed guidelines defining the requirements for participation in the project similar to the regulation governing ASEAN’s Self-Certification Pilot Project. It will select qualified companies who are ready to implement EU’s self-certification. In addition, it will raise awareness of public and private sector on the management and implementation of REX.
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