When counterfeit goods cross borders and enter markets, they not only harm consumer rights but also erode innovation incentives. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is building robust defenses to safeguard intellectual property rights. Recently, the WCO completed a new round of certification training for Technical Operational Advisors (TOAs) in intellectual property rights (IPR) across the Asia/Pacific region, aiming to enhance customs authorities' capacity to combat counterfeit goods.
Held from October 10-13, 2023, in Kashiwa City, Japan, the certification workshop received substantial support from the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF/Japan). Ten customs officials from across Asia-Pacific gathered for rigorous assessment and training to become key representatives of WCO's IPR, Health, and Safety Program in the region. TOAs are WCO-certified experts with specialized skills who will organize and conduct capacity-building activities while providing technical support to member customs administrations.
Comprehensive Training for Regional Experts
The four-day workshop featured diverse content and formats. Participants from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka underwent comprehensive evaluation through case demonstrations, group discussions, and role-playing exercises. Assessments covered both their IPR expertise and their presentation and training capabilities, with guidance from two WCO Secretariat experts throughout the program.
The workshop strictly followed the updated WCO IPR Strategy 2020 , approved by the 41st Enforcement Committee in March 2021. This strategy emphasizes strengthening customs administrations' IPR capabilities through establishing reliable certified expert teams. Following the workshop, field visits will complete the two-stage certification process. Only participants demonstrating both IPR expertise and training competence will receive final WCO IPR expert certification.
Core Principles of WCO's IPR Strategy
The WCO's IPR Strategy represents a carefully designed action plan providing clear guidance for global customs authorities facing increasingly complex IP infringement challenges. Its core principles include:
- Capacity Building & Expert Networks: The strategy prioritizes enhancing member customs' IP protection capabilities through technical training, resources, and establishing certified expert networks for sharing best practices and technical support.
- International Cooperation: Recognizing IP infringement as transnational crime, the strategy encourages enhanced information sharing and joint operations among customs administrations.
- Risk Management: Customs departments are urged to strengthen risk assessment and intelligence analysis to better identify and intercept infringing goods.
- Public Awareness: The strategy emphasizes educating consumers about IP importance and counterfeit product dangers to reduce demand.
- Technological Innovation: Customs are encouraged to adopt advanced technologies like AI and blockchain to improve enforcement against evolving infringement methods.
Asia-Pacific's IP Protection Challenges
While Asia-Pacific represents one of the world's fastest-growing economic regions, it faces significant IPR challenges:
- Widespread counterfeit goods affecting industries from apparel to pharmaceuticals
- Increasing cross-border infringement through e-commerce platforms
- Uneven enforcement capabilities across regional customs administrations
- Insufficient legal frameworks and penalties in some jurisdictions
- Limited public awareness about IP rights and counterfeit risks
WCO's Regional Priorities
To address these challenges, WCO focuses on:
- Conducting training programs to strengthen customs capabilities
- Facilitating regional cooperation against cross-border infringement
- Disseminating best practices among member administrations
- Providing technical support for advanced enforcement tools
- Collaborating on public education campaigns
Workshop Significance
The Kashiwa City TOA certification workshop represents a critical step in WCO's Asia-Pacific IP protection efforts. By certifying new experts, WCO enhances regional support for combating counterfeits, protecting IP rights, and promoting economic development. This initiative marks substantial progress in building WCO's global IP protection network.
Moving forward, WCO will continue strengthening cooperation with member customs administrations, innovating enforcement approaches, and collectively addressing IP infringement challenges to support global economic health.