The briefing paper ‘Transparency now’ examines the possibilities for the EU to make customs data public for the purpose of increasing transparency and accountability for human rights abuses committed by companies in the context of global value chains. This publication is written by Finnwatch and supported by GoodElectronics.

Customs authorities in the European Union (EU) Member States (MSs) collect data on exporters and importers of goods passing through state borders. Currently this data is not made available to the public at the EU level or in any of the EU MSs.

On 12 September 2017, the European Parliament adopted a resolution which “calls on the Commission and encourages Member States to seek ways to enable parties having a public interest stake to access”.

Supply chain information could help identify products marketed to consumers that have been produced in conditions of labour abuse.

Download the briefing paper Transparency now: Legal briefing on the disclosure of EU customs data