Trade facilitation implications of carbon‑intensity requirements

Annex C. Selected examples of relevant trade facilitation and digitalisation initiatives

This Annex presents selected initiatives that illustrate different functional approaches to handling product-level regulatory requirements in cross-border trade. The examples (Table 5) provide reference points for how challenges related to verified information exchange, interoperability, risk-based controls and multi-authority coordination have been addressed in other regulatory contexts.

Table 5. Functional reference points for digital and trade facilitation approaches

Initiative	Functional category	What it illustrates (implementation function)	Relevance for carbon-intensity requirements	Key limitations and challenges
IPPC ePhyto	Digital certificate exchange (gov-to-gov)	Structured electronic certificates; upstream verification; international data standards; customs rely on electronic confirmation rather than substantive checks	Model for upstream emissions verification referenced at the border; role separation between regulator and customs; value of harmonised data formats	Trans-shipment complexity; point-to-point exchange limits reuse; limited interoperability beyond phytosanitary authorities; governance alignment required
eCITES	Digital permitting systems	Electronic permits linked to customs and Single Windows; customs validate permit status rather than perform scientific assessments	Illustrates “customs as gateway” model; product-specific regulatory controls enforced digitally	Interoperability uneven across economies; system integration varies; dependent on consistent standards and governance
eBASEL electronic approaches	Multi-authority digital notification and workflow systems	Digital notification, approval workflows and traceability across exporting, importing and transit authorities; audit trails	Illustrates management of complex, multi-authority regulatory regimes through digital workflows; border authorities reference validated electronic records	High governance and coordination demands; legal recognition issues; data consistency challenges across jurisdictions
ASYCUDA (illustrative customs platform)	Customs system integration and risk management	Electronic declarations; risk management modules; ability to add document codes and registry references; interfaces with other agencies	Demonstrates that existing customs systems can incorporate new regulatory data elements and references	Customs digitalisation does not ensure cross-agency interoperability; other border agencies may use non-compatible systems; Single Window integration uneven; risk modules may not capture environmental data
UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP)	Interoperability and digital trust architecture	Portable digital credentials; exchange of verified information without single platform; trust anchored in governance structures	Shows how verified product-level data can circulate across regimes; supports reuse of compliance data and avoids bespoke IT integrations	Requires digital maturity and institutional trust frameworks; uptake across actors is critical; governance complexity

Source: IPPC ePhyto, eCITES, eBASEL, ASYCUDA, UNTP.