INTA appointed member of the World Customs Organization Private Sector Consultative Group

New York, New York—November 1, 2023—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has been appointed as a member of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), a position it will hold through June 2024. for the financial year 2023–2024.

The WCO, established in 1952, is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations, representing 185 customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98 percent of the world’s trade. The WCO PSCG was created in 2005 for the purpose of informing and advising the WCO Secretary General, the Policy Commission, and WCO Members on customs and international trade matters from the perspective of the private sector.

INTA participation is part of its ongoing global efforts to combat counterfeits. INTA member volunteers and the Anticounterfeiting Committee staff liaison will represent the Association at the WCO PSCG. Participation with the WCO PSCG allows INTA to contribute to the information and advising process of the WCO network. It also provides an important opportunity to contribute to the PSCG’s key objectives in accordance with the Association’s Strategic Plan and anticounterfeiting priorities. INTA will focus its efforts on strengthening cross-border IP enforcement through collaboration with customs offices globally.

The PSCG includes 28 organizations and consists predominantly of businesses/manufacturers and associations that are appointed based on geographical diversity, business size (including small- and medium-sized enterprises), and industry sector. The PSCG is charged with supporting the adoption and effective implementation of agreed WCO—and other relevant international—instruments as well as leveraging business resources and government relationships to advocate for and implement programs developed and adopted by the WCO.

INTA Anticounterfeiting Committee Chair Claudette Vernot (Estrategia Juridica, Colombia) commented that “such appointment provides a great opportunity for INTA to continue its efforts through vigorous leadership toward the goal of fighting counterfeits and supporting legitimate trade and consumer protection.”

“INTA’s appointment to the PSCG is another bold step forward in our work on behalf of our membership and, indeed, the health and safety of consumers around the world. These anticounterfeiting efforts are a key tenant in INTA’s mission and we look forward to working with our fellow Group members,” said INTA Chief Policy Officer Heather Steinmeyer.