1. European Commission's Initiative on Electronic Transport Documents
UNECE & UN/CEFACT’s Conference: Future Directions of Single Window
Geneva, October 2017
Lia Potec
European Commission
DG MOVE – Unit D1, Maritime Transport & Logistics

2. The wider context – EU efforts towards the digitalisation of transport and logistics
General objectives
Simplification of procedures and processes
Reduction of administrative burden
Increase of efficiency, visibility, predictability, agility and resilience
Specific objectives
Paperless/Digital by default
Acceptance of electronic documents
Easy access to data, re-use of data, data sharing
Data ownership, cybersecurity……
Instruments
Digital Single Market Strategy
E-Government Action Plan
Legislation
Funding
Concertation and co-ordination (e.g. DTLF)
Challenges
Non-interoperable standards
Lack of interconnected systems
Process digitalisation and re-engineering
Data ownership, data sharing, access to data, re-use of data
Lack of trust/data confidentiality
Data protection, cybersecurity
Non-recognition of e-Transport documents
New business models
Governance
Big data, added value creation
Low cost solutions, accessibility for SMEs
Mobility and
Transport

3. DTLF - Digital Transport and Logistics Forum
Expert group set up by the European Commission
Consultative platform for the coordination and cooperation between stakeholders (operators, logistics service providers, public authorities, cargo owners, technology providers)
Support the Commission in developing roadmap/strategy and measures to remove technical, operational and administrative barriers between and within transport modes
provide advice and technical expertise to the Commission on the development and implementation of standards, legislation, policies, projects and programmes
facilitate exchanges of information on initiatives, projects and partnerships
deliver opinions, submit reports, or develop and propose innovative solutions to the Commission

4. DTLF – Structure & areas of work
Plenary
E-Transport documents
Digitisation
Acceptance
Harmonisation
Corridor information exchange platforms
Conceptual interoperability
Business scenarios and platform services
Governance and business model 5

5. Electronic transport documents for freight
DTLF report – digitisation state of play & recommendations (Q2 2018)
Transport documents & their acceptance by EU MS authorities, banks, insurances
Integration of these documents at the level of data elements - options and feasibility
(Ideal) infrastructure for data exchange
Documents concerning the means of transport (vehicle registration, ship certificates etc.) & documents concerning the personnel + infrastructure for data exchange
European Commission initiative
Scope: transport documents (contracts of carriage in the sense of int'l conventions)
Impact assessment process ongoing:
IIA published on 11 May 2017
Consultation process launched 24 October
Regulatory Scrutiny Board – 7 March 2018
If legislative proposal – adoption April 2018 (indicative)

6. The European Commission Initiative (1/3)
What is the problem:
Limited use, as yet, of electronic transport documents
Why is it a problem:
Potentially billions in missed cost-savings for the sector
Untapped potential for administrative simplification
Untapped potential for better regulatory enforcement & policy making

7. The European Commission Initiative (2/3)
What are the causes/drivers of the problem:
Limited (legal) recognition and/or acceptance by MS authorities
Co-existence of multiple, non-interoperable standards for electronic transport documents
Why should the EU act:
MS will gradually recognise and accept electronic transport documents but high risk of distinct requirements (x28)
Harmonised legal regime as regards recognitions and requirements for acceptance is essential to facilitate use in cross-border, multi-modal transport

8. The European Commission Initiative (3/3)
What options for policy measures:
Non-binding, support measures
Legal instrument
Objectives:
Effective recognition and acceptance by MS authorities of electronic transport documents/data presentation
Harmonised requirements for acceptance by any MS authority of any electronic transport document/data which meets these requirements
Provide a clear framework for the development of interoperable standards/solutions
Alignment with standards/technical specifications provided by existing/on- going EU initiatives (e.g. Customs Single Window, Maritime Single Window) and by other international bodies (e.g. UN/CEFACT, WTO)

9. And if a stakeholder and would like to have your say:
THANK YOU!
And if a stakeholder and would like to have your say:
consultation-survey-electronic-documents-freight-carriage
consultation-reporting-formalities-ships-european- maritime-single-window-environment