OOvveerrvviieeww && RReeppoorrttec.europa.eu/.../group_ecl/5secc_overview_report.pdf5th Seminar of...

55tthh SSeemmiinnaarr ooff EEuurrooppeeaann CCuussttoommss CChheemmiissttss

10-12 July 2013, Paris – FRANCE

OOvveerrvviieeww && RReeppoorrtt

“Working together for all of us, today and tomorrow”

Organised by the European Commission,

Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union,

the French Customs and the French Laboratories (SCL)

with the Customs Laboratories European Network (CLEN)

under the Customs 2013 programme

5th Seminar of European Customs Chemists Report – page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Seminar overview 3

10th July 2013 – Plenary Session report 5

11th July 2013 – Parallel Sessions reports 10

Session 1 – Drugs and illegal substances 10

Session 2 – Authenticity and classification 12

Session 3 – Sampling and on-site detection 14

Session 4 – Risk management within Customs 16

Session 5 – New products and bio-based products related to energy, oils and fuels 19

Poster Session 23

12th July 2013 – Plenary Session report 24



OOvveerrvviieeww

The 5th Seminar of European Customs Chemists was held from 10th to 12th July 2013 in Paris, France.

The first four seminar (conference) editions were organised in Fiuggi-Fonte (Italy) in 2000, in Prague

(Czech Republic) in 2003, in Athens (Greece) in 2007 and in Helsinki (Finland) in 2010.

This fifth edition was organised by the French Customs, the French Customs Laboratories (SCL) and

European Commission DG Taxation and Customs Union, under the Customs 2013 Programme. In

addition, DG Enlargement of the European Commission also participated via the funding of

neighbouring countries’ delegates under the TAIEX Programme.

AIM OF THE SEMINAR This major event for the European Customs Laboratories, organised every three years, contributes to

the scientific and technical communication and exchanges between the Customs Laboratories and

institutional partners such as the European Commission services, Customs Administrations, Third

Countries Customs Laboratories as well as scientific institutes, universities and the industry.

The seminar provides an excellent opportunity to inform a wider public on the activities of the

Customs Laboratories.

The seminar is a forum where Customs Chemists can meet, exchange views, share experience,

compare their practices and deal with important current topics of interest.

PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING THE SEMINAR

259 participants representing 49 countries attended the seminar, which was a success and showed

the interest in the seminar as up to 220 participants were expected initially.

Most of the participants were Customs chemists (from the Customs Laboratories) and Customs

agents (from the Customs administration services such as tariff or enforcement departments) from

EU Member States and Candidate Countries (4 participants per country on average).

The seminar was also open to other countries, and participants from Switzerland, Japan, South

Korea, etc. provided a useful contribution in sharing experience on the role of Customs Laboratories.

TAIEX Programme sent Customs delegates from Belarus, Algeria, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan,

Lebanon, Moldova, Palestine, Russia, Tunisia and Ukraine.

Moreover, in addition to European Commission representatives, several experts, either honorary

members of the CLEN* or coming from the private sector and other institutions also attended and

contributed to the seminar.

MAIN SUBJECTS COVERED BY THE SEMINAR The seminar included two days of plenary sessions and one day with five parallel sessions and a

poster session. A large part of the programme was dedicated to innovations and new topics which

might have an impact on Customs and Customs Laboratories’ work.

The first part of the plenary sessions offered an overview of the background and context in which the

Customs Laboratories are working and an overview of the activities of the ‘Customs Laboratories

European Network’*.

* On 15 July 2013, the Group of European Customs Laboratories (GCL) changed its name to the Customs

Laboratories European Network (CLEN)


The main part of the plenary sessions addressed various issues such as sampling practices

harmonisation, on-site screening and mobile laboratory analyses, food and plant authentication,

“note by note” cuisine, food supplements and medicine, nanomaterials, high performance lithium

batteries, euro-denaturants, innovative mass spectrometric instrumentation, cooperation between

Customs Laboratories and public health officials, emerging issues for Customs, role of Customs

Laboratories in EU Horizon 2020.

Five parallel sessions were held on major topics such as Drugs and illegal substances, Authenticity

and classification, Sampling and on-site detection, Risk management within Customs, New products

and bio-based products related to energy, oils and fuels.

The poster session, with 29 posters, covered a wide range of topics broadening the scope of the

programme.

OUTPUTS AND RESULTS OF THE SEMINAR The seminar content well illustrated the slogan chosen by its scientific committee “European

Customs Chemists - working together for all of us, today and tomorrow”:

- The seminar increased the mutual knowledge on the Customs Laboratories activities from

numerous countries;

- It provided an opportunity to share views and experience on major topics related to the

Customs Laboratories’ duties;

- It also offered to share and discuss emergent or new aspects for which the Customs

Laboratories might have a role to play, as they are always on the move.

The seminar was a successful event which strengthened the cooperation between the network of

European Customs Laboratories and Third Countries Customs Laboratories, EU Customs

Administrations, the European Commission, other institutions and industry.



1100tthh JJuullyy 22001133 –– PPlleennaarryy sseessssiioonn

OPENING SESSION:

OPENING & WELCOME ADDRESS, INTRODUCTION and GCL (CLEN†) ACTIVITIES

Chairpersons: Nadine VARRA (FR) and Hervé SCHEPERS (EC)

Ms Varra (Service Commun des Laboratoires, Customs Laboratories, France) and Mr Schepers

(Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission) welcomed the participants

to the 5th Seminar of European Customs Chemists.

Mr Francis BONNET (Head of Department, General Directorate of Customs and Excise, France) gave

an inaugural speech and welcome address.

Mr Bonnet welcomed all the delegations and experts to this seminar organised in Paris in the

premises of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. He was glad to welcome so many participants,

more than 250, from numerous countries and institutions, for three days of common work.

Mr Bonnet highlighted the variety of the Customs’ missions, from fighting against fraud to protecting

the market and the citizens, and stated that the Customs Laboratories were an essential scientific

and technical support to the Customs’ actions.

Mr Bonnet appreciated that the seminar programme focused on working together and harmonising

practices, as well as on innovations. He detailed four key aspects:

- 1/ collaborating together despite the diversity of the situations (attributions, organisations)

from a country to another, and adopting harmonised views and practices;

- 2/ having a strong scientific community formed by the network of the human and technical

resources of the laboratories;

- 3/ increasing knowledge and expertise, in order to bring innovation to face emerging

products’ controls, frauds or risks;

- 4/ keeping in mind that the work achieved must always have the aim to ease the legal trade.

Mr Bonnet ended his speech by thanking the scientific contributors of the seminar.

Ms Ilze KUNIGA (Head of Unit, Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European

Commission) opened the seminar.

Ms Kuniga stated that this seminar was an important event for the Customs and Customs

laboratories; an excellent opportunity to show the challenges currently faced by the Customs

laboratories and in a broader sense by all Customs in the world.

Ms Kuniga detailed the content of the seminar programme, covering both the major ‘usual’ tasks

such as the classification and the application of the nomenclature, and various missions related to

consumer or environment protection.

In particular, Ms Kuniga detailed the five topics put forward in the seminar programme both in the

parallel and plenary sessions: ‘drugs and illegal substances’, ‘authenticity and classification’,

‘sampling and on-site detection’, ‘risk management’ and ‘bio-based energy products’. She also added

a few words on three other points of interest in the seminar programme: the issues related to plants,

the challenges linked to waste and the concept of ‘note by note cooking’.

† On 15 July 2013, the Group of European Customs Laboratories (GCL) changed its name to the Customs

Laboratories European Network (CLEN)


Mr Hervé SCHEPERS (Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission)

presented an overview of the Group of European Customs Laboratories (GCL).

Mr Schepers briefly presented the network of 86 Customs Laboratories’ units working in 26

Member States and taking part in the various activities organised with the support of the

European Commission.

Mr Schepers evoked the various activities of the laboratories, mainly connected with the correct

calculation of customs and excise duties, but also more and more involved in the protection of the

citizens, their health, their environment and their safety.

Ms Francesca FILIPPI (Customs Laboratory, Turin, Italy & GCL Action 1 leader) presented the GCL

Action 1: ILIADe (inter-laboratory inventory of analytical determinations) the database of Customs

analytical methods.

Ms Filippi was glad to announce that the objective mentioned in 2010 at the 4th Seminar had

been achieved: ILIADe has become a ‘European database’, now hosted by the European

Commission.

Ms Filippi briefly mentioned the ILIADe history from its first development in Italy to its current

situation of a database hosted by the European Commission with access restricted to the

Customs Laboratories. She mentioned the new ILIADe structure and efficient consultation tools.

She also evoked the work of the ILIADe group, composed of Customs chemists, enriching and

checking the content of the database records.

Ms Nadine VARRA (Customs Laboratories, France & GCL Action 2 leader) presented the GCL Action 2

dedicated to laboratories’ inter-comparisons and method validations.

Action 2 consists in organising and performing proficiency tests specific to Customs laboratories and

not available commercially. It also consists in developing and validating methods, or carrying out

studies suitable for customs purposes, proposed by the laboratories.

By harmonising the analytical methods used and by enabling the Customs Laboratories to assess

their performance, the tests organised within the frame of this Action contribute to ensure a uniform

implementation of the control of goods within the European Union.

Ms Varra gave several examples of these Action 2 tests dealing with various products such as food

products, mineral oils or even ceramics.

Ms Stella SYNOURI-VRETTAKOU (General Chemical State Laboratory, Athens, Greece & GCL Action 3

leader) presented the GCL Action 3: networking on quality.

The GCL Action 3 is mainly focused on technical issues with a significant impact on the quality and

reliability of analytical results.

Ms Synouri-Vrettakou mentioned the tri-annual surveys conducted on the legal, administrative and

scientific status of the European Customs Laboratories – a tool to increase mutual knowledge.

Ms Synouri-Vrettakou detailed the two major recent achievements: (i) the production of the

Sampling Manual for Customs and Tax Authorities (SAMANCTA) and (ii) the agreement on the

guidance document on ‘Uncertainty of measurement and decision rules in compliance assessment’.

Mr Gottfried PATSCH (Customs Laboratory, Vienna, Austria & GCL Action 4 leader) presented the

GCL Action 4: communication and strategy.

The GCL Action 4 is devoted to the internal and external communication tools of the European

Customs Laboratories.

Mr Patsch evoked the tools available within the GCL such as the electronic community gathering 200

members and the tools used for external communication such as the brochure on Customs

Laboratories.

This Action also includes organising the ‘Seminar of European Customs Chemists’ every three years.


Mr Ger KOOMEN (Dutch Customs Laboratory, the Netherlands & GCL Action 5 leader) presented the

GCL Action 5: scientific expertise.

The GCL Action 5 was created in 2009 and is dedicated to the study and solving of new challenges for

Customs Laboratories and any other fields where Customs need scientific support.

Mr Koomen detailed the three activities organised in 2012:

A Workshop on Textiles and Shoes, held in Athens on 29-30 May 2012, to discuss several

classification issues and analytical techniques to distinguish ‘original’ from ‘imitation’ products.

A third meeting of the Laboratories’ working group on tobacco to identify parameters and

methods for the control of tobacco and tobacco products, held in Budapest on 4 & 5 July 2012.

A Workshop on designer drugs, held in Berlin on 27 & 28 September 2012, in order to share

information, to discuss how to support international organisations in charge of the fight against

illegal drugs and to discuss best practices for the identification of designer drugs.

Mr Koomen mentioned the Action 5 activities foreseen in the next two years, mainly workshops on

plant identification, on on-site detection and on the classification and identification of waste.

Mr Hervé SCHEPERS (Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission & GCL

Action 6 leader) presented the GCL Action 6: the European Customs Inventory of Chemical

Substances (ECICS).

The European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances, ECICS, is an information tool managed by

the European Commission which enables to identify chemicals, classify them in the Combined

Nomenclature and name them in all the European Union languages for regulation purposes.

First published in 1974 and constantly enriched, it currently contains more than 120 000 records, out

of which more than 36 000 are approved and publicly visible.

Mr Schepers mentioned the numerous collaborations with international chemistry or standardisation

organisation ensuring the quality of this database.

Mr Hervé SCHEPERS concluded the presentations on the GCL activities by announcing a change of

name for the GCL.

The discussion on the ‘GCL’ name had been initiated during the last Customs Laboratories Steering

Group meeting held in March 2013, taking advantage of the need to change the GCL logo which had

become obsolete with the new (end 2012) European Commission visual identity.

On 15 July 2013, the Group of European Customs Laboratory (GCL) became the Customs

Laboratories European Network (CLEN).

Mr Alvaro FERNANDEZ ACEBES (Tariff and Trade Department, World Customs Organisation) gave an

inaugural speech on the update and revision of the Harmonised System.

The Harmonized System is a universal economic language and code for goods. It is thus an essential

tool for international trade, used for more than 98 % of the world trade.

To keep in line with the trade evolutions, the Harmonised System is periodically up-dated thanks to

the work of the dedicated Committee of the World Customs Organisation.

Mr Fernandez Acebes spoke about the current edition of the Harmonised System, published in 2012,

and mentioned the 6th edition to be published on 1st January 2017 with numerous modifications in

the chemical chapters.


PLENARY SESSION:

Plenary lectures on sampling and on-site analyses.

Plenary lectures of guest speakers on plant authentication and on ‘note by note cooking’

Chairpersons: Janne NIEMINEN (FI) and Jean-Luc DEBORDE (FR)

Mr Nieminen (Customs Laboratory, Finland) and Mr Deborde (Customs Laboratory (SCL), Strasbourg,

France) introduced the speakers and conducted the discussions of this plenary session.

The first three lectures, related to sampling and to on-site analyses, were an introduction to the

parallel session proposed on the second seminar day.

The last two lectures were dedicated to two different topics of broader interest for the audience:

plant authentication and note by note cooking.

Ms Susann GESCHKE (FORCE Technology, Denmark) and Mr Roman SCHOULA (Customs Technical

Laboratory, Prague, Czech Republic) presented the Sampling Manual for Customs and Tax

Authorities (SAMANCTA).

As the quality of a Customs laboratory’s analytical results depends largely on the quality of the

sample analysed, sampling is a crucial step in the laboratory work. Based on this statement, several

Customs Laboratories gathered in a group supported by the European Commission and worked on

the compilation of available materials and guidelines to create a common sampling manual.

Ms Geschke and Mr Schoula gave a detailed presentation of the resulting manual: SAMANCTA, its

general part and its specific part containing sampling cards for sampling specific commodities.

The first version of SAMANCTA was provided to the seminar participants on USB sticks. In addition, a

dedicated poster and live demonstration of the manual were available during this seminar.

SAMANCTA will be further promoted and circulated in 2013 among customs officials and a workshop

will be organised for learning and training.

Mr Ioannis SITARAS (Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD), Greece) gave a lecture on sampling:

accreditation and harmonisation in Europe.

Mr Sitaras briefly presented the activities of the European Cooperation for Accreditation Laboratory

Committee (EA/LC).

Mr Sitaras presented the policies for the accreditation of sampling of EA Accreditation Bodies. In

particular, he detailed the requirements for accreditation of sampling and how it can be

implemented in the framework of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Finally, Mr Sitaras mentioned the

ways followed by EA/LC to meet the needs for harmonisation.

In response to a question on the use of SAMANCTA for the accreditation of sampling methods, Mr

Sitaras recalled that, before becoming accredited, a method must be validated; the manual of

sampling methods is an appropriate tool (sampling methods documented procedures) to move

towards accreditation, or at least to achieve certification.

Mr Marcel HEERSCHOP (Dutch Customs Laboratory, the Netherlands) gave an overview of on-site

screening and mobile laboratory analyses by the Dutch Customs.

On-site screening and mobile laboratories are tools shortening the time needed for the analytical

controls and thus contributing to fast Customs procedures.

Numerous pieces of portable equipment have been developed over the last few years - and are now

commercially available-, mainly devoted to the detection of explosives and to a lesser extent to the

detection of drugs.


Mr Heerschop detailed the laboratory partnerships, trials and work performed by Dutch Customs

using on-site screening and portable equipment: the application of such portable devices to Customs

inspection, the validation of their use and the various fields in which such equipment can prove

useful. Mr Heerschop gave several examples, such as:

- a partnership with Customs at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to test a mobile backscatter

system to detect drugs hidden in airplanes, a system in use for the last two years;

- or a work carried out in collaboration with Customs at Rotterdam Harbour and Amsterdam

Airport Schiphol to evaluate Raman spectroscopy for the inspection of chemical products.

Mr Heerschop concluded by reporting positively on the work with colleagues in the field, learning

about their work and needs and how to assist them better with new approaches and new

equipment.

Professor Monique SIMMONDS (Kew Innovation Unit, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, United

Kingdom) gave a lecture on the challenges faced in plant authentication.

Ms Simmonds first presented the background of her talk: the increasing interest observed for plants

uses in food, medicines and cosmetics is also unfortunately an opportunity for fraudsters to

introduce adulterants or substitutes in the market of plant and plant derived products.

Consequently, laboratories must be in a position to control the authenticity of plants or plant

extracts. Authentication methods are needed for this purpose and a further difficulty is obtaining

authenticated samples of plants to work with for the controls.

Ms Simmonds detailed several examples of the work performed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,

to address these issues. In particular she mentioned examples of substitutes containing toxic plant

materials for which it is essential to make sure they are not entering the trade, and also examples of

cheaper substitutes such as those used instead of sandalwood or star anise.

In answer to several questions, Ms Simmonds confirmed that further legislation would be

needed on plants used as food supplements and that the creation of a database on plants and

plants extracts would be welcome (including names, CAS number, toxicity…) in view to protect

the public from unsafe plants on the market.

Mr Hervé THIS (Molecular Gastronomy Group, Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, AgroParisTech,

France) gave a lecture entitled: because of Note by Note Cooking, new regulation will be needed.

Mr This first introduced the historical background, with different concepts and their definitions:

molecular gastronomy which is a scientific activity and molecular cooking which is its application

introduced in the 1980s to modernise the culinary practices by using laboratory tools in the kitchen

(evaporators, filtering system, use of liquid nitrogen, etc.).

Mr This then presented the concept, first introduced in 1994, of ‘Note by Note Cooking’, focused not

only on the technique, but mainly on the core content of food.

Pure Note by Note Cooking is the use of pure compounds to make dishes. The various aspects of the

dish must be created: colours, textures, odours, tastes and sensations.

Mr This showed several examples of dishes made by Note by note cooking since 2009, in particular

using “practical note by note cooking”, i.e. using fractions obtained by fractionation or cracking of

traditional food ingredients.

Mr This explained the interest of such practices resulting in a more efficient use of the food resources

in terms of quantities, energy and water use.

To conclude, Mr This evoked the various new issues and major questions raised by Note by note

cooking: the evolution of the regulation of food additives; the studies needed to assess the economic

interest of fractionation and cracking on the farm or on the point of production, or to assess the

toxicological or physiological effects of Note by note dishes.



1111tthh JJuullyy 22001133 –– PPaarraalllleell sseessssiioonnss

PARALLEL SESSION 1:

DRUGS AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

Chairpersons: Bernd DERING (DE) and Jörg PELTZER (DE) Rapporteur: Gottfried PATSCH (AT)

The first parallel session was about Drugs and Illegal Substances. Chemists from four Member States

reported in seven lectures (1 France, 3 Germany, 1 Hungary, 2 Italy) about their issues with analysing

these substances.

The session started with the presentation of Mr Bernd DERING (Germany) about the “Outcome of the

Workshop on Designer Drugs”, which took place in September 2012 in Berlin organized by CLEN

action 5. The workshop provided every participating customs laboratory with the same level of

information and an overview of the available analytical methods to identify designer drugs. There is a

need for appropriate platforms for sharing information and data. Regarding reference compounds is

the idea – besides buying or synthesising them - to use the seized material and circulate it among the

laboratories as “reference material”. Another outcome is to give positive signals to support the

authorities.

Ms Rita KAPILLER-DESZSŐFI (Hungary) gave a lecture with the title “Analyses of Designer Drugs in the

Hungarian Forensic Institute”. She showed us that the main problem exists in identifying the

designer drugs. Usually there are no standards available. She presented the possibilities of

identification of unknown solid samples.

Another presentation came from Ms Catherine LAMOUREUX (France) with the title “Analyses of New

Psychoactive Substances and Other Drugs”. In France the customs laboratories are more and more

confronted with undeclared hazardous new substances in different products. There are new

substances for medicines or new psychoactive substances whose number increases every week. Ms

Lamoureux gave us an impression how to identify such substances using a combination of analytical

methods.

“Analysis of Anabolic Agents – a Challenging Task for Customs Laboratories” was the title of Mr

Rainer FRITSCH´s (Germany) presentation. Anabolic agents are substances which are very often

misused to enhance performance in sport and have a high health hazard potential. Therefore it is

important to identify and quantify such substances. A combination of traditional analysis methods

(GC, HPLC and GC/MS) is able to identify and quantify these agents.

Mr Burkhard GREBE (Germany) gave an advice how to get good and exact results with fewer analyses

in his lecture “Representative Sampling for Quantitative Drug Analysis – a Pragmatic Approach”. He

presented a sampling method for quantifying numerous similar samples of illicit drugs which is based

on the statistical method of hyper-geometrical distribution.


The “Role of the Ligurian Customs Laboratories in the Control of New Illicit Drugs in the Local

´Market´” was shown by Mr Francesco PARISI (Italy). In Italy is observed an increase of illicit drug

consumption as well as in many European countries. Due to this increase screening tools are

becoming more and more important. Monitoring analytical methods (GC/FID, GC/MS, FT/IR and

LC/MS) are successful applications in the Ligurian Customs Laboratories.

Ms Maria MONFREDA (Italy) presented the last lecture in session 1 entitled “Comparative Analysis in

Cocaine Seizures”. In illicit drug analysis, the minor components, such as the impurities due to the

origin or the procedure of extraction, purification and synthesis are of crucial importance for

developing a chemical profile. Drug profiling, the chemical and/or the physical profile of a drug

sample are a very useful tool. It was shown in this lecture how to use this tool in the investigation

against the illegal use.

The lectures given and the discussions which took place showed that the participants of many

Member States face very similar problems in these fields and try similar solutions - even when the

national legal positions are different in the Member States.

A lot of participants expressed their view to intensify the beginning cooperation and to strengthen

the knowledge transfer in the fields of the analytical basic work. This will be crucial for a successful

fight against all these substances endangering the health of people in the various Member States.

In summary it can be said that a good European network of experts and exchange of data and

information especially dealing with these kinds of substances turns out to be extremely important.

Therefore it was a very fruitful and remarkable parallel session and we thank all colleagues for their

notable presentations.


PARALLEL SESSION 2: AUTHENTICITY AND CLASSIFICATION

Chairpersons: Manuela COSTA (PT) and Gerrit SLUIS (NL) Rapporteur: Adriana CIMMINO (IT)

The session, co-chaired by Ms Manuela COSTA and Mr Gerrit SLUIS, included 8 presentations covering

the theme “Authenticity and classification”.

The lectures of this Session can be divided in the following Sub-sections:

Confirmation of products authenticity:

In the first lecture, Mr Jiri MAZAC described the different techniques (including comparative isotopic

analysis) used by the Czech Customs Laboratory of Prague for detection and methanol

determination in suspected drinks and to find the source of these poisoned drinks during the

methanol scandal in 2012.

Mr Bernard MÉDINA, (Service Commun des Laboratoires, Bordeaux, France) showed the analytical

strategy set up for counterfeit wine control, making a distinction between the main falsifications

found on French and on foreign markets. Based on several practical examples, various techniques for

the control are examined, starting from label examination and classical analysis to the most

sophisticated applications such as NMR and IRMS.

Classification by analytical methods or technical characteristics:

Classification is the main topic for the Customs labs, that they perform by several standardized

methods, but in most cases the results are not satisfactory because of the inconsistency between the

analytical data and the definitions in the Tariff: this is the case of the detailed distinction (showed by

Ms Ingeborg VINKE, Customs Laboratory, Berlin) between dried, “slightly roasted“ and “completely

roasted” hazelnuts, which can be made by analyzing by HPLC the complex aroma built during the

roasting process.

In the lecture by Mr Frank KAPETANAKIS (General Chemical State Laboratory, Athens) many cases are

mentioned, demonstrating that some analytical and in particular technical requirements, described

in the regulations concerning antidumping duties, are not very easy to be implemented or need

further explanations.

The studies carried out during the workshop in Athens (May 2012) and told by Ms Maria

STASINOPOULOU demonstrated the difficulties in solving classification problems in the field of yarns,

textiles, leather, footwear and shoes, particularly as a consequence of the increasing counterfeit and

innovation of the products.

Interest showed by the public demonstrated the great interest on the subjects, and the necessity to

introduce changes in the relevant Chapters of the CN, in order to simplify or include additional

information.


DNA identification of meat and fish species:

Ms Chiara NATALE (Customs Laboratory, Genoa, Italy) «Fishes identification by DNA bar-coding»

Mr Steve GARRETT (Campden BRI, United-Kingdom) «Developments in meat and fish product

authenticity testing»

Both studies develop new DNA-based analytical procedures testing meat and fish product

authenticity.

The need for reliable and fast identification methods in this field is justified by the high level of

renaming and mislabelling of sea food or meat species, in order to sell low-value as high-value

produce and to commercialize endangered or protected species.

Brilliant results have been shown, illustrated by several practical examples, of real samples whose

identification was possible not only in the original form, but also in case of products like fillets, sticks

and smoked or marinated meals, where visual inspection and morphologic recognition is impossible.

Legal aspects

Ms Maria Antonia LOPEZ (Portuguese Textile Technology Centre) pointed out the activity of product

testing and certification, especially for the presence of hazardous chemicals used in the manufacture

and finishing of textile, which may remain in the final product and affect health. Since the supply

chains all over the world are long and complex, the “Confidence in textiles” can be tested according

to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, whose aspects were fully shown to the public.

The following conclusion can be drawn from the lectures and the reactions during the session:

• Owing to the lack of clear definition in the field of training shoes, genuine leather and imitation

products, high tenacity yarns, impregnated/coated/covered/laminated fabrics, etc., more efforts

have to be made, also in the frame of Customs 2020 working groups, in order to set up and

approve new methods, more suitable in order to solve classification problems.

• In order to solve problems relating to unclear definitions in the field of antidumping duties,

recommendations have to be made to DG TAXUD to involve Customs officers and chemists in

the formulation of technical requirements in the specific Regulations.

• The impressive development of bio-molecular techniques for the identification of animal species

encourages finding more new applications for Customs labs to improve TARIC classification and

to identify CITES organisms.

New methods proposed in several lectures of this Session should be made the object of studies by

the Sub-group Action 2, in order to be validated, approved and then introduced in the new ILIADe.


PARALLEL SESSION 3: SAMPLING AND ON-SITE DETECTION

Chairpersons: Wim SCHIPPER (NL) and Jadranka ČUBRID (HR) Rapporteur: Stella SYNOURI-VRETTAKOU (EL)

Session 3 addressed two distinct issues, which in some cases may be complementary: on-site testing

and sampling.

There were three presentations on on-site testing. All three presentations focused on new

instruments which can be used in the field for the detection and/or detailed analysis of various

hazardous materials, such as explosives, drugs, precursors and designer drugs.

Mr Michel GAOUYER from AS&E gave a presentation on x-ray detectors used to scan consignments,

airplanes and ports/airports for the detection of illegal and/or hazardous materials. He mostly

focused on backscattering x-ray detectors and showed various impressive examples proving their

higher effectiveness in the detection of explosives, cigarettes, drugs, money, as compared to

“conventional” x-ray detectors. The instrument which is specifically designed for the scanning of

planes and containers and is installed on a small vehicle was presented.

The discussions and the feedback between AS&E and the Dutch Customs and Dutch Customs

Laboratory have proved valuable in designing new instruments suitable for current needs and future

solutions, for example the design of an instrument to be used to scan platforms or trucks. Moreover,

one of the latest developments is a portable handheld scanner intended for the scanning of areas

which cannot be reached by bigger machines.

Mr Gonzalo FERNANDEZ DE LA MORA from SEDET presented the use of a new vapor detector in a cargo

environment which applies one of the most sensitive available commercial triple quadrupole

atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers (API-MS), with a prior step of mobility filtration

in a differential mobility analyzer (DMA). After removal of suspended particles (including

explosive/drugs particles), vapors contained in ~1 m3 of ambient air in a cargo volume are sampled

into a vapor-collection filter. The vapors in the filter are later thermally desorbed into an electrospray

ionizer, and analyzed by DMA-API-MS.

Mr. Fernandez de la Mora presented various results obtained by the application of the detector

mostly in the port of Vigo. These results show its extreme sensitivity since for some drugs/explosives

the lowest level of detection is currently below 0.01 ppq (10-16 atmospheres), as well as its capability

to check big containers in less than 5 minutes. Moreover, he discussed the performance of the

detector under various conditions such as the soaking time of the load in the container, the distance

between the load and the peripheral gas sampling point, the container temperature, the quality of

the packaging wrapping and the presence of additional absorbing materials in the load.

While the current cost of this detector is relatively high compared to other conventional IMS devices,

its effectiveness in analysing whole trucks and large cargo containers in minutes yields a most

favourable monitoring cost per ton of merchandise. Therefore, two simultaneous goals are achieved:

an increase of security through a higher detection probability than current technologies, and a

reduction of screening costs and delays to values well below those possible via other methods.

Mr Craig GARDENER from Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments discussed the usefulness

of Raman spectroscopy in the identification of unknown chemicals due to its sensitivity, its excellent

selectivity, its non-contact and non-destructive mode, which allows its use on the analysis of

consignments in some containers (such as plastic bags and glass) and its operation with no

requirements of further preparation of the sample to be investigated.


Raman spectroscopy was compared to FTIR spectroscopy (excellent selectivity but requires contact

with the sample) and NIR spectroscopy (less selectivity but does not require any contact).

A portable handheld RAMAN spectrometer was shown and several examples of its use on the

detection of various illegal substances in one run were given. The analyzer can be used effectively

both in the field and in the laboratory.

Reference was also made to the ruggedness (e.g. it can fall on the ground with no problem) and to

the ease of operation and transport (low weight, battery operated) of the analyzer.

Two presentations referring to sampling were made. Mr John WHITE from HM Revenue and

Customs focused on the importance of ensuring safety during sampling, while Mr Roman SCHOULA

from the Czech Customs Laboratory discussed the importance of the operation of an ISO 9001

system and the effect of audit findings in the improvement of sampling procedures.

On the basis of his long experience as a Customs Officer, Mr White pointed out the importance of

safety during sampling. Three objectives should be achieved during sampling: (i) to measure or count

the goods, (ii) to take a representative sample and (iii) to do the above safely.

A clear understanding of the risks and a culture of common sense and safety should be promoted

rather than a rigid adherence to sets of rules and procedures. Mr White emphasized that “Too much

guidance in Health and Safety is as bad as too little” and “Complaisance is one of the biggest risks”.

Examples of various risks which may occur during the sampling of grain and rice were given to

illustrate this. Moreover, Mr White gave detailed reports on case histories of customers officers who

were seriously injured, amputated or even died due to mistakes and complaisance during sampling.

Mr Schoula’s presentation focused on the operation of a quality system applied by the Czech

Customs. This system is in line with the ISO 9001 standard and certified by TUV NORD CERT. The

certified area covers "Laboratory Examination of Goods and Analyses for Customs, Tax and Other

Inspection Purposes Including Sampling and Sample Handling" and represents a single process within

the Czech Customs Administration including the customs laboratory. The certification of the sampling

procedure is particularly helpful in court cases and, in addition, promotes transparency.

Moreover, the certification of this procedure applied by the Czech Customs proves that ISO 9001 can

be applied effectively in the state sector.

Mr Schoula discussed certain factors which are of great importance on the operation of the quality

system, such as the detailed documentation of the procedure and all records needed, the

contribution of SAMANCTA to the overall documentation, the transparency required for the

responsibilities of personnel involved and the training and retraining of personnel.

The importance of these factors was explicitly depicted by the audit findings in 2012 and 2013. The

findings were both from audits of the certification body and from internal audits and in all cases

showed not only the finding but also the respective solution/corrective action taken.

Examples of such findings and the respective actions taken include among others: the need of

“practical” training and regular retraining of personnel involved in sampling, the supervision of newly

trained officers by skilled colleagues, the need of detailed records covering the full range of activities

and updated inventories (e.g. for sampling tools), the addressing of certain health and safety issues

(e.g. personnel protection equipment), the handling and storage of chemicals according to the

requirements of legislation.

During the Session, printed material on the “instruments specifications” as well as “real” instruments

was available in the meeting room.

A short discussion took place after the presentations. Questions raised by the participants mostly

concerned particular specifications or the mode of operation of the instruments. In addition, another

issue discussed was the importance of training in sampling procedures. There were also proposals for

the organization of “benchmarking” training programs for customs officers in a “real” environment.


PARALLEL SESSION 4:

RISK MANAGEMENT WITHIN CUSTOMS

Chairpersons: Ger KOOMEN (NL) and Rita KAPILLER-DEZSŐFI (HU) Rapporteur: Kees VAN DEN HEUVEL (NL)

In his introduction the chairman stated that good risk management of customs is also very important

for the laboratories in order to receive laboratory samples of real interest. Therefore it is useful to

consider the kind of information laboratories can offer to customs to improve their work.

Ms Mireille DE BEURS of the Dutch Customs Laboratory (DCL) presented a lecture on the contribution

of the DCL to the risk management of Dutch Customs. As she stated for Dutch customs, facing about

25% of total EU imports, risk management is a necessary tool in order to select goods that matter. A

broad introduction followed with an overview of the Dutch customs organization, its non-fiscal tasks

in the area of safety, public health, economy and environment and its cooperation with other

enforcement agencies and companies (AEO). Also key figures and main tasks of DCL were given with

an emphasis on “outdoor” laboratory activities (mobile laboratory and on-site detection). Then the

organization of risk management in Dutch customs was explained including the so-called risk

management circle. A general risk data base has been established that is freely accessible for input of

possible risks experienced during the daily work of every customs officer, including laboratory

members. To unlock the information of the laboratory towards risk management and to improve the

mutual cooperation an account manager was installed. As the chemists are experienced specialists

for the products and the corresponding tariff classification it is of benefit for customs to use this

knowledge for the creation or improvement of the relevant risk profiles. The laboratory is now in a

position to send information to the officers of the customs intelligence team and the risk analysts to

propose (de)activation or adaptation of risk profiles. At the same time the laboratory might improve

in this way quality of sampling and regular supply of samples. Moreover the laboratory can provide

the customs risk analyst with results of queries from the LIMS system. Examples of risk signals that

were detected by the laboratory are the wrong classification of pure vitamins and ceramics (41%

resp. 80 % non-conformities). Wrong classification of soy protein concentrates as detected in the

laboratory eventually led to an EU classification regulation. A new risk profile is now operating to

check the compliance in trade. In conclusion the long experience in tariff classification of goods,

based on the determination of the composition of goods in the laboratory, has generated a lot of

interesting data that can be very useful for risk management.

The questions after the lecture focused on the status/influence of the laboratories with respect to

risk management; the role of examinators resp. decision makers; the participation in annual risk

programmes; and the influence, risks and legal status of EBTI’s.

Mr Julien FOUCART of the French General Directorate of Customs and Excise presented the work of

Customs controls on the area of product safety. He started with a survey of the market surveillance

organization, its procedures and legislative monitoring. Differences in the treatment of so-called

harmonized and non-harmonized products were discussed, and the legal base of market

interventions. He continued by explaining customs procedures and organization regarding industrial

products safety controls. These are based on an annual programme of risk analysis developed by a

specific controls orientation task force. The programme incorporates new kinds of products and also

uses information obtained from (other) public and industrial laboratories. Targeting/selection of

declarations takes place by creating of profiles containing a combination of criteria, including

incidents on the market. In the customs control process, following the usual documentary and

physical checks, the DELTA system will perform the selection of products for laboratory testing. The


laboratories do not interfere with this selection process. Depending on the type of product the

destination of the samples can be different; the customs laboratory investigates for example laser

products, sun glasses and toys whereas private laboratories receive other products. Whereas the

Ministry of Economic Affairs is responsible for the area of toys safety, Customs performs the controls,

including the testing (in Lille and Marseille laboratories), to ensure toys comply with standards. At

the end of the presentation an overview was given with data concerning numbers of checks,

offences, non-compliances and values of dangerous goods.

Mr Damien LEHMANN of the French General Directorate of Customs and Excise presented an

overview of Customs procedures with an economic impact and the synergy between Customs and

Customs laboratories in that respect. The following special procedures were discussed: In Inward

processing the processed product needs to be re-exported, therefore the purpose of this procedure

is that the imported starting material must be recognizable in the processed product. In Outward

processing the same must be true for the exported starting material. The purpose of the End-use

procedure, often used for products of the suspension regulation, is that an assignment of this end-

use must be possible. With regard to these demands the main task of the French customs

laboratories is to establish the rates of yield of the involved chemical processes, and to inspect the

process on-site in the premises of the company. Furthermore the laboratories can help to identify

critical aspects and to establish clear definitions of industrial processes. In the case that companies

do not provide sufficient technical information a follow-up procedure starts in which the laboratories

warn the customs officials. They also can propose the customs to start an in-depth control.

Laboratory engineers involved in these controls can take part in the courses of the Customs school.

The launch of the SOPRANO application, a solution to streamline the management of operator’s

digital authorizations which include the integration of the laboratories, is postponed and now

foreseen mid-2014.

Mr Janne NIEMINEN of the Finnish Customs Laboratory started his presentation with a description of

the Finnish laboratory and its key figures: personnel, samples, budget and topics. It was emphasized

that the analysis of consumer goods and foodstuffs also belongs to the working area of the

laboratory. Then he continued elaborating on the way how to take full advantage of the laboratory

results. In Risk management the collection of data and information is most important in order to act

on the right place at the right time before goods enter the market. A special risk center using a

profiling system and sets of criteria generates such advance information. Based on an annually

established sampling plan samples are taken and all data including the results of the analysis are

compiled in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). In Finland customs has direct

access to this system and, for instance when there is insufficient information available in LIMS, can

assign this as a risk as such. Then some examples of consumer goods with high risk were presented

(phthalates in baby doll, nickel bracelets) followed by an overview of rejected consumer goods in

Finland. Finally it was stated that prerequisites for a good risk analysis were (after collection)

harmonizing of data and the need for accreditation (quality assurance of data). In order to predict

new risks before they occur non-target analysis and advanced use of data is needed. All findings

should be available to importers and published.

Mr Richárd SZŰCS of the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA) started his

presentation by explaining that the tax and customs activities of the NTCA are combined with

criminal affairs, and all activities are linked to the Forensic Institute. Main tasks of the institute are

providing the authorities with professional opinions, the EBTI system and the Sample Handling

system. He continued by explaining which requirements have been accounted for by the Hungarian

Sample Handling system (i.e. cost effective, economical and developable). The user interface and an


overview of available data were shown. Detailed queries are possible; an example of results was

given concerning the tariff classification issue heading 2309 or 2936. The National Risk Management

system contains about 3000 risk profiles established by combination of up to 40 different risk

indicators. All type of information can be introduced in the profiles. Other officials might also apply

for risk profiles. All systems including EBTI are connected by means of the central “Cube Module”.

This enables customs to perform fast analyses, for instance to check whether an economic operator

is correctly using a BTI. An overview of risk profiles was presented with a focus on the chemical

sector of the nomenclature. At the end of the lecture a question was put forward concerning these

risk profiles.

Mr Thierry HENNE of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), EU Commission presented the

investigations of OLAF related to the infringement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). He started

with an explanation of background and organization of OLAF. It has two goals: the fight against fraud

affecting the financial interests of the EU and the fight against corruption. In this respect 30 % of the

information comes from customs administrations. OLAF undertakes and coordinates only complex

cases and those in which different Member States are involved. Investigations comprise seeking

evidence and production of recommendations but not prosecution. The huge tax losses by cigarette

smuggling were emphasized. With respect to IPR priority is given to investigations in which

counterfeit also threatens environment and public health (cigarettes, foodstuffs, medicines,

pesticides, etc.). IPR-investigations are facilitated by a new EU Regulation (608/2013) and the fact

that EU/TAXUD and OLAF systems have now been interconnected. The campaign against illegal

pesticides resulted in a decrease for EU countries but an increase in neighbouring countries. An

example is given in which OLAF discovered (despite AEO-status) weaknesses in administrative

procedures, resulting in the “loss” of 500 tons of illegal pesticides during transit movements. There

are no chemists among the OLAF personnel; with regard to the products mentioned above support

by external laboratory experts is needed. On conditions of technical capability and accreditation

OLAF asks whether customs laboratories are interested in performing the analysis of the various

products (at this moment independent private laboratories have been contracted for the analysis of

tobacco and cigarettes). A question after the lecture focused on the involvement of OLAF with illegal

coins and banknotes.

Mr Frédéric SALTRON of the French Customs Laboratory (SCL) Marseille presented the work on

profiling of seizures of cigarettes. He started with an explanation of the organization of the French

customs laboratories. In order to decrease cigarette smuggling the French network of laboratories

(SCL) has developed a dedicated department in Marseille for confirmation of the counterfeit nature

and profiling of genuine cigarettes, counterfeits seizures and/or (local made) cheap whites. All

seizures of more than 100 kg will be sent to this laboratory. Such a profiling can be achieved by a

multicriteria approach with the constitution of a multiparametric database to compare seizures of

cigarettes. A special analytical challenge is to discriminate within each group (genuine vs. genuine

etc.). Information for the database has been collected by visual characterization of packaging as well

as cigarettes (tear strips, filter wrapper, puncturing, etc.). This includes also verification of unique

eye-readable production codes (Codentify). Filter, paper and tobacco have been analysed,

particularly for heavy metals, and new criteria are established using D/H isotope analysis. Introducing

hyphenated mass spectrometry will enable to obtain a better discriminant pattern of metals; and to

characterize volatile compounds and aroma of tobacco. Also pollinic examination could provide a

next criterion. Automated examination of packaging and cigarettes will be also carried out to

improve identification and to directly compare seizures into the database. The final aim of this work

is to offer new tools fully linked to the risk analysis and customs officers smuggling fight.


PARALLEL SESSION 5: NEW PRODUCTS AND BIO-BASED PRODUCTS,

RELATED TO ENERGY, OILS AND FUELS

Chairpersons: Inge VINCKIER (BE) and Willy DE GROOF (BE) Rapporteur: Alexandra NAUMOVA (BG)

A group of presentations dedicated to the Bio-economy and bio based energy products

enlightened the audience on new trends in the technologies and EU-market in this field.

Under the title “Bioeconomy 2013 in the context of EU-Lead Market Initiatives for bio-based

products”, Mr Dietrich WITTMEYER – General Secretary of the ERRMA (European Renewable

Resources and Materials Association) clarified that bio-economy encompasses all economic

activity derived from scientific and research activity focused on biotechnology. Bioeconomy refers to

the sustainable production and conversion of biomass into a range of food, health, fibre and

industrial products and energy. Renewable biomass encompasses biological material (agriculture,

forestry & animal-based including fish) as a product in itself or to be used as raw material.

Bioeconomy’s three main objectives at the EU-level are:

- to develop locally sourced and produced plant and waste-derived materials for chemicals,

fuels, food and feed;

- to innovate and boost market update and public awareness of bio-based products;

- to create a European Public – Private Partnership (PPP) integrating academia, national

governments, EU Commission and bio-based industries.

In the context of the Commission's strategy and action plan "Innovating for Sustainable Growth: a

Bioeconomy for Europe", the Public – Private Partnerships are aimed at fostering “radical

innovation” integrating the following three areas:

- availability of sustainable agricultural renewable resources;

- new applied research for processing via Biorefineries;

- deployment to market pulls to deliver bio-based products.

To achieve this integration at practical level, a policy framework is essential. The Commission

launched the establishment of structures from the Bio-economy Strategy to communicate with

Member States & Stakeholders:

Bio-economy Panel (all Stakeholders) aiming to enhance synergies and coherence between

policies, initiatives and economic sectors related to the bioeconomy at EU level;

Bio-economy Inter-Service Group (Intra Commission – DGs);

Bio-economy Observatory (Monitoring of Bio-economy);

Renewable Raw Materials (RRM) Group (Industry & MS-Agencies)

The RRM group works on one of the essential recommendations of the Lead Market Initiative's Ad-

hoc Advisory Group for Bio-based Products - to identify adequate bio-based products and to define

them by standardization, certification and labelling.

There is on-going work on European and international standards on bio-based products concerning

their bio-degradability, bio-based content, recyclability & sustainability; communication & labelling,

bio-based solvents, lubricants, polymers, surfactants, etc.

The RRM group selected some most promising bio-based products – bio based and bio-degradable

lubricants. The concept of sustainability means that bio-based products have to be subjected to

assessment for sustainability, they have to be monitored. Data for the amounts of the produced


biomass and the bio-based products have to be collected. For the moment, the major problem is the

lack of clear definitions and standards for bio-based products. CEN and also ASTM work in this

direction. A technical recommendation has been published in CEN/TR 16227:2011 “Liquid petroleum

products - Bio-lubricants - Recommendation for terminology and characterisation of bio-lubricants

and bio-based lubricants”. “Renewable” bio-based lubricants should be considered as such, if they

contain more than 25% bio-originating components. To allow monitoring market development, the

bio-based industry needs specific CN codes and contacts with DG TAXUD are made. In the absence of

clear definitions, standards and distinguishing characteristics of the bio-based products, it is not likely

at this stage to specify codes in the Combined Nomenclature.

Mr Rolf LUTHER (Head of Advanced Development for the FUCHS Group – Fuchs Europe Schmierstoffe

GmbH), who held the second lecture “Bio-lubricants as an example for bio-based products:

definitions, testing methods and standardisation“, described the state of affairs concerning

industrial development and production of lubricating preparations from renewable raw materials in

Germany.

It has been estimated that the ratio of the environmentally compatible lubricants is approx. 3 – 5% of

the total market in Germany. The highest effect on the environment are the so called “total loss

lubricants” (where the lubricant is used and discarded to the environment) and the hydraulic fluids

and the efforts are pointed at creating of bio-based products with equivalent (or better) lubricating

properties, but having a rapid biodegradability and low toxicity. From the customer’s point of view a

higher price of these products is justified if bio-lubricants have technical added values like better

performance quality. The manufacturing process of bio-lubricants in general includes chemical

modification either of the fatty acid chain or the carboxyl group of the vegetable oils to synthetic

esters. Objective, measurable and provable criteria for the bio-lubricants are: biodegradability,

toxicity, sustainability of renewable raw material (RRM) and technical performance. Approved

methods for testing of biodegradability, toxicity and RRM content are needed. The EU Ecolabel for

lubricants includes a criterion for “Minimum amount of renewable resources”: for hydraulic fluids

RRM based carbon content in (% m/m) should be equal or greater than 50%, for greases ≥ 45%, for

chain saw oils, mould release agents & niche loss lubricants ≥ 70%, and for 2-stroke and gear oils ≥

50%. According to the CEN Technical report 16227: General definition on Bio-lubricants and Bio-

based lubricants minimum requirements are set for each of the criteria and in particular for the

renewability - Content of renewable raw material ≥25% (bio-based carbon content) according to

ASTM D68-66 (radiocarbon method).

Along with the work on a definition and requirements for the bio-lubricants, a need for getting

statistical data on trade volume of these products arises. A useful tool the industry sees in the

creation of one overall code in the CN. A proposal was submitted to DG TAXUD for an amendment of

the Combined Nomenclature (TAXUD/987102/2012). It is recommended that for the distinction of

conventional and bio-lubricants the definition of CEN TR 16227 or in future the related CEN Standard

to be used. So far the achievements show that the best criteria for identification of a bio-based

product is the content of “bio-based carbon” determined by radiocarbon techniques as described in

ASTM D68-66:2012. Several screening methods are suggested. Since bio-lubricants are mainly based

on synthetic ester oils today, the absence of esters would be the first signal that the product won’t

be bio-based. These criteria can be checked by using IR or GC techniques – simple and cheap

techniques. But for the exact determination of the bio-based carbon content only the radiocarbon

methods are applicable using Liquid scintillation-counter (LSC), Proportional scintillation method

(PSM), Betaionization (BI), Accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) – complex and very expensive

techniques. Several EU customs laboratories are volunteered to examine 3 samples of bio-lubricants

and to check the possibility for customs chemists to identify the sample as bio-based lubricants.


In conclusion it was summarized that concerning the environmental impact and sustainability of

resources bio-lubricants have positive prospective. It is recommended to use the definition of “Bio-

lubricants” given in the CEN TR 16227 for statistical purposes. To generate statistical data relevant

specific CN codes would be welcome.

“Testing of bio-fuels in the customs laboratory in Berlin” was the subject of the third presentation

given by Mr Dirk MEYER (chemist/tariff expert in the Centre for Education and Science of the Federal

Finance Administration – Custom Laboratory Berlin).

The main European legal frame in the area of bio-fuels is based on Renewable Energy Directive (RED)

2009/28/EC (replacing Biofuels Directive 2003/30/EC) and Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) 2009/30/EC.

The first one introduces new terms and definitions and promotes the use of biofuels for transport

purposes. In addition, it stated that lands with high-carbon-stock should not be used for the

production of biofuels, it stipulates for minimum green-house gases (GHG) reduction level and to

promote the production of biofuels from waste. The fuel quality Directive set up sustainability

requirements for biofuels, reduction of the intensity of GHG of the fuels by up to 10% and reduction

in the sulfur content of fuels. According to RED the minimum GHG reduction for biofuels shall be at

least 35% and from 2017 - 50%. Based on this, it has been estimated that GHG reduction of rapeseed

biodiesel varies between 38 and 45%. Consequently after 2017 it will be under the minimum level

and the rapeseed FAME will loose its important role as biofuel. In comparison the typical GHG saving

for ethanol of various bio-origin – corn, cane and wheat straw – varies between 56 and 87%, this

would cover the requirements. In Europe the production of bioethanol has increased about ten times

from 2003 to 2009. The Ethanol fuel E85 is specified according DIN 51625 as mixture of bio-ethanol

and petrol, with a content of ethanol and higher alcohols between 70 and 86%. The tax relevant

characteristics of E85 in the German tax Regulation and DIN 51625 are the following: content of

ethanol and higher alcohols, higher alcohols C3 – C5, methanol, ethers C5 or more and water

content. The determination of the ethanol, higher alcohols, ethers and other volatile components as

esters and aldehydes, as well as the special petroleum components – benzene, toluene and xylene is

performed using two different columns with different polarity for separation by gas chromatography.

Column 1 with a PEG-phase of high polarity for separation of higher alcohols and other volatile

components e.g. HP-INNOWax, 30 m x 0.32 mm x 0.25 μm Agilent) and Column 2 with mid polarity

for separation of methanol, ethanol and added oxygen compounds e.g. (Rxi-624 Sil MS, 60 m x 0.32

mm x 1.8 μm Restek). Chromatograms and additional data about repeatability and reproducibility

were presented.

In conclusion it could be summarized that the new European legal frame by RED & FQD sets up for

minimum GHG reduction for biofuels of 35% and from 2017 - 50%, settled protection of carbon rich

or biodiverse land to be used for growing biofuels’ raw materials. The production of fuel-ethanol in

the EU has grown significantly over the past 7 years with an average increase of 30% per annum. A

method for determination of alcohols, ethers and petrol in ethanol fuel E85 by gas chromatography

according to the German legal frame was shown.

The last presentation of this parallel session, entitled “Enzymes Developed by Novozymes for

Cellulosic Ethanol” and given by Ms Lone BAEKGAARD (department manager in Novozymes A/Z),

explained the latest development of the Novozyme´s Cellic Ctec series of products – high

performance enzymes for cellulosic ethanol. The technological process of Novozyme for the

production of cellulosic ethanol comprises the pre-treatment of different kinds of biomass raw

material, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation. The difficulties in the development of

biomass converting enzymes are caused in first place by the complex composition of the substrate.

The plant cells consist of cellulose C6 (β-1,4-glucan; microfibrill; cellulose fiber), hemicellulose C5 and

C6 (xylan, xyloglucan, arabinoxylan, glucronoxylan, β-1,3-glucan, mannan, glucomannan, galactan


and arabinan) and lignin (polyphenolic compounds). Just to degrade cellulose, which only consists of

glucose units linked by β-1,4 bonds, several different enzymes are required like CBHI, CBHII, EG, ßG

and GH61. The hemicellulose is a heteropolysaccharide composed of various monosaccharide units

and branched chains that varies from one feedstock to another. Finally, lignin is a highly crossed-

linked and complex macromolecule, which is very difficult to degrade and complicates the

degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose. With the latest Novozyme product Cellic CTec3, five

times less enzyme-amount is needed. That means the efforts are made in the improving enzyme

efficiency by combination of enzyme enhancers. The precise point where a plant’s parameters

converge to the lowest total cost of ethanol is called sweet spot. Finding the sweet spot requires a

full understanding of a plant’s process interdependencies. With Cellic CTec3 and Novozyme’s insights

and expertise, they can guide the customer down the shortest path to the plant’s sweet spot.


POSTER SESSION:

POSTERS

The Customs Laboratories were invited to present posters during the seminar.

29 posters were displayed over the three days.

A dedicated poster session was included in programme on the second day in order to allow

discussions between poster owners and participants.

Customs Laboratories from ten countries presented one or several posters: Czech Republic, Estonia,

Greece, France (8 posters), Hungary (4 posters), Italy (8 posters), Lithuania, Latvia (2 posters), Israel

and Japan.

In addition, a specific poster on the ‘Sampling Manual for Customs and Tax Authorities’

(SAMANCTA), was made jointly by Denmark and the Czech Republic who also showed the

participants how to use SAMANCTA on a dedicated computer and screen. Moreover, each participant

received a USB stick including the Sampling Manual.

The posters covered various aspects of the Laboratories’ work, such as the presentation of:

- The Customs Laboratories’ general work (i.e. the poster on the Latvian Customs Laboratory,

the Hungarian poster on the analyses of counterfeit products),

- The Customs Laboratories’ specificities (i.e. the poster on the Italian Customs Agency

accredited as provider of proficiency test),

- The outcome of the Laboratories’ work (i.e. the Israeli poster on the classification decisions

based on the Laboratory tests),

- The Laboratory organisation to face cases of great importance (i.e. the poster on the system

of work in the Czech laboratories to face the methanol scandal),

- The Laboratories’ contributions to major controls:

o On alcoholic beverages or on denatured alcohols (i.e. the French poster on control of

excise duties, the Hungarian poster on field test for Euro-denaturant),

o On drugs (i.e. the French and Italian posters on cocaine analysis, the Italian poster on

psychoactive substances of natural origin, the Japanese poster on the detection of

methamphetamine concealed in the human body),

o On mineral oils (i.e. the Lithuanian poster on sulfur in gasoil),

o On other goods and commodities (i.e. the French posters on radioactivity control,

control of products for handymen; the French and Italian posters on jewellery and on

precious stones),

- The developments and validation of analytical methods (i.e. the French poster on the

identification of polymer-based materials, the Italian poster on protein fibres in binary textile

fibre mixtures).

The posters as well as their short abstracts are available in the seminar proceedings.



1122tthh JJuullyy 22001133 –– PPlleennaarryy sseessssiioonn

PLENARY SESSION:

Plenary lectures on a variety of novel topics and emerging issues.

Sharing experience with other Customs Laboratories

Chairpersons (morning session): Francesca FILIPPI (IT) and Jean-Jacques BELLIARDO (FR) Chairpersons (afternoon session): Ilze KUNIGA (EC) and Gérard PÉRUILHÉ (FR)

This plenary session offered a wide range of presentations on innovation, emergent issues and

new aspects. Ms Filippi suggested entitling this plenary session: ‘Customs always on the move’.

Indeed, the speakers covered various topics such as food supplements and medicine,

nanomaterials, lithium batteries, euro-denaturants, innovative mass spectrometry, cooperation

between Customs Laboratories and public health officials, work and cooperation with the

European Commission Joint Research Centres and emerging issues for Customs.

Mr Christophe MOINARD (Paris Descartes University, France) gave a lecture entitled ‘Food

supplements and medicines: where is the border?’

Mr Moinard reminded in preamble that food supplements, which are very popular with the

Western population, are often confused with medical products by the consumers.

Food supplements are clearly defined in a Directive as ‘supplement to the normal diet’ being

concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect.

However, defining the limit between a physiological and a pharmacological effect is often difficult.

This poses a problem, as no mandatory inspection is required for food supplements, leading to

potentially dangerous products available on the market: presence of impurities or of

contaminants such as steroids, heavy metals, bacteria or fungi. Mr Moinard presented

examples to illustrate these aspects.

Professor Marco VINCENTI (Department of Chemistry, Turin University, Italy) presented some

innovative mass spectrometric instrumentation in the analytical determinations with legal

implication.

Mr Vincenti first stated that innovation in analytical methods is an opportunity to improve controls

but also raise questions about the reliability of the results compared to the recognised official

analytical methods.

Consequently the acceptance of a novel analytical technique involving legal implications depends on

the nature of the advantages that the innovation brings. Innovations improving the measurable

qualities such as the sensitivity or repeatability are more rapidly approved and used than innovations

introducing new analytical approaches.

Mr Vincenti provided an overview of the main advances in mass spectrometry techniques and

instruments. He illustrated his presentation with several examples, showing the outcome in terms of

analytical determinations and their legal implications in areas such as forensic science, anti-doping

control, environmental and food safety controls. Mr Vincenti ended his presentation with a few

examples of his university’s current research activities.


Mr Dadan WARDHANA HASANUDDIN (Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions,

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Switzerland) gave a lecture entitled Basel

Convention, problematic waste and cooperation with Customs.

Several types of hazardous waste have become international trade commodities, mainly to avoid the

constraints (legal requirements and related costs) of their correct treatment in the originating

countries. Some of the waste being traded is declared as used goods for recycling and even

sometimes for direct reuse, whereas in many cases this waste ends up as useless goods not stored in

an unsound manner, resulting in human health and environmental risks.

Mr Wardhana Hasanuddin reminded the audience about the Basel Convention on the control of

trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste, stating that such illegal import-export trade is a

crime.

According to Mr Wardhana Hasanuddin, the Customs authorities play an important enforcement role

in the implementation of the Convention.

However, the control by Customs officers is often difficult, in particular when they need to recognise

hazardous waste among goods declared for reuse.

Cooperation is therefore crucial between the Basel Convention and the Customs organisations: to

ensure the harmonisation of the waste codes, guidance and tools development as well as training for

waste controls.

Mr Wardhana Hasanuddin mentioned efficient examples of cooperation between the Basel

Convention and the World Customs Organisation, such as the ‘Green Customs Initiative’ or the

‘Operation Demeter’. He concluded by encouraging more efforts and cooperation on waste.

Mr Alexander PAUL (Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission) gave

a lecture on the Tariff classification of waste.

Mr Paul started by defining waste. Then, in line with the previous lecture, Mr Paul briefly recalled the

background and context of his talk: the increasing waste production worldwide, the need for sound

disposal and treatment – being among the main priorities of the EU environmental agenda-, the

legislation in force regarding the disposal of waste and the trans-boundary shipments, and in

particular the Basel Convention on the control of the movements and disposal of hazardous waste.

Mr Paul also quoted the Regulation in force related to the shipment of waste.

Mr Paul mentioned the role of the Customs services involved in the control (visual or analytical) of

waste transit.

Mr Paul detailed the projects and work carried out at EU level to establish a tariff classification of

waste, and gave examples of waste classification difficulties.

Finally, Mr Paul announced the organisation of a workshop on ‘Customs tariff implementation of

environmental waste codes’ planned for January 2014 in Belgium.

His presentation led to several questions from the participants, mainly quoting classification

difficulties for several products for which the distinction between waste and recycling material

is problematic (lead extracted from batteries, components or part of mobile phone, etc.).

Ms Heather JONES (Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission) gave a

lecture on Euro denaturants (alcohol) – harmonisation of formulations and standard operating

protocols for completely and partially denatured alcohol.

Ms Jones briefly recalled the current legislation related to denatured alcohol and she informed the

audience of the common ‘Euro’ denaturing formulation for Completely Denatured Alcohol which has

just been implemented in the EU Member States.

Ms Jones then detailed the remaining problems and next steps of work for the European Commission

DG TAXUD and Joint Research Centres regarding Completely Denatured Alcohol: reducing the


number of denaturing methods still in use, testing these methods and developing and implementing

standard operating protocols.

Ms Jones also raised the issue and ambition to adopt common euro-denaturants for Partially

Denatured Alcohol. She gave examples of fraud (in particular the methanol scandal which the Czech

Republic faced in the autumn 2012) showing the importance of acting towards common practices in

order to protect the consumers’ health as well as legitimate trade.

Ms Jones insisted on the importance of limiting the number of formulations in order to reduce the

risks of illegal trade, health and environmental threats.

At the end of her presentation, Ms Jones quoted some key messages from the industry and from the

Commission and the suggestions to work in collaboration at EU level on ‘euro’ formulations for

Partially Denatured Alcohol.

Mr Alain MAQUET (Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Joint Research

Centre (Geel, Belgium), European Commission) presented the state-of-the-art of organic food

authentication.

Mr Maquet started by providing a few definitions and figures about organic farming, its market and

expansion. He continued with numerous fraud cases, in general consisting in substituting the organic

products with cheaper non-organic products. In addition to the certification, it is necessary to find

markers and develop methods in order to assess the organic production, and thus maintaining the

consumer confidence and supporting the legitimate market.

Mr Maquet then explained the difficulty of the authentication of organic food products and the

research and development performed to meet this challenge.

Showing several examples, Mr Maquet detailed the latest results obtained using profiling and

fingerprinting approaches, mainly with transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics.

Mr Claude GUILLOU (Chemical Assessment & Testing Unit, Joint Research Centre (Ispra, Italy),

European Commission) gave a lecture entitled: Emerging issues for Customs: which approaches will

be needed in the future?

In his lecture, Mr Guillou mainly presented the emerging issues of interest for Customs which the

Chemical Assessment & Testing Unit of the Commission’s Joint Research Centre is working on: food

contact materials, textiles, nanomaterials and the characterisation of unknown substances.

As regards these issues, the work of the JRC Chemical Assessment and Testing unit consists in the

development and testing of new methods and approaches.

Mr Guillou provided several examples of the research work performed on:

- The safety of food contact materials (and non-compliance due to migration of chemicals into

food): work which resulted in the production of guidelines for the sampling and analysis of

kitchenware;

- The characterisation of novel textile fibres, or of REACH restricted chemicals in textiles;

- The research on the determination of nanomaterials in complex matrices;

- The study of the chemical structures of unknown compounds using high-resolution mass

spectrometry and/or nuclear magnetic resonance; or using such analytical tools, the

screening of banned substances in consumer products or untargeted analyses.


Mr Ger KOOMEN (Dutch Customs Laboratory, the Netherlands) made a presentation on the possible

role of Customs Laboratories in EU Horizon 2020 research projects.

Mr Koomen first presented the main characteristics of the ‘Horizon 2020’ instrument. This financial

support to innovation and research in the European Union will run from 2014 to 2020.

Horizon 2020 will combine the current ‘Framework Programmes for Research and Technical

Development’, with the ‘Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme’ and the ‘European

Institute of Innovation and Technology’.

One of the Horizon 2020 major topics is in line with the Customs work: strengthening security

through border management. It is consequently an opportunity for the laboratories.

Mr Koomen presented three examples of projects, starting in 2013 (under the 7 th Framework

Programme), in which the Dutch Customs Laboratory is taking part (in the role of end-user),

respectively: ‘Crim-track’ (sensor for detecting criminal chemical substances), ‘Acxis’ (automated

comparison of x-ray images for cargo scanning) and ‘Decathlon’ (development of cost efficient

advanced DNA-based methods for specific traceability issues and high level on-site applications).

Mr Koomen concluded by encouraging the Customs Laboratories to play an active role in the

Horizon 2020 programme.

Mr Olivier AGUERRE-CHARIOL (INERIS, France) gave a lecture on nanomaterials: typology of

commercial products and analytical techniques in the laboratory.

Mr Aguerre-Chariol first recalled some definitions and the typology of nano-objects (in bulk or on

surfaces). He briefly presented several examples of nanomaterials used for their specific chemical or

physical properties in numerous industrial applications and products (tyres, paints, cosmetics, food

packaging, electronics, etc.). The most used nanomaterials are silver, carbon, titanium oxide, silica,

zinc oxide and gold. The nanomaterials represent a growing market, for which Mr Aguerre-Chariol

provided some main figures.

Mr Aguerre-Chariol then raised concerns about potential effects of nanomaterials, linked to the lack

of well-established toxicity and ecotoxicity, resulting in the need to identify and control these

products (to ensure correct declaration and labelling in particular). The European regulations provide

recommendations on the use of nanomaterials and limits.

The second part of the presentation Mr Aguerre-Chariol was devoted to the analytical techniques.

The main parameters to measure were detailed: size (mean, distribution…), aggregation and

agglomeration states, shape of the particles, and chemical composition (both the main elements and

the impurities). Several techniques were presented with examples: electron microscopy, size analysis

techniques, X-Ray diffraction, BET, ICPMS, zeta potential.

Mr Jean-François GOHY (Institute for Condensed Matter and Nanosciences, Leuven University,

Belgium) presented high performance lithium-ion batteries.

Mr Gohy first recalled some characteristics of batteries before explaining how lithium-ion batteries

work and to detailing ‘organic radical batteries’.

Mr Gohy focused his presentation on novel or under-development batteries (novel anodes, cathodes

and electrolytes). He gave detailed examples of such high performance lithium-ion batteries

explaining their synthesis, electrochemical activity, characteristics of promising materials used for

anodes, cathodes and electrolytes.

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html


Mr Markus STADLER (Chemical and Technical Control Section, Customs, Switzerland) presented an

evaluation of chemical risks in products for retail sale: cooperation between the Swiss Customs

Laboratory and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Mr Stadler first presented the federal office of public health (FOPH), which is the responsible

authority in Switzerland for the control of chemical products (including dangerous substances and

preparations) on the market.

Mr Stadler then presented the role of the Swiss Customs Laboratory in market control, thanks to its

analytical knowledge and capacities.

Mr Stadler detailed the cooperation process between the FOPH and the Customs Laboratory to

ensure an effective control of imported products and of the inside market. Mr Stadler concluded by

listing the advantages of this cooperation (multipurpose analyses, cost and time-saving process,

efficient control).

Ms Hyekyung RYU (Customs Laboratory, Seoul, South Korea) presented the genetic analysis and

stable isotope ratio analysis in Korea Customs Laboratory.

In order to share expertise with other Customs Laboratories, Ms Ryu presented two major examples

of the analytical determinations and controls performed by Korea Customs Laboratory.

Ms Ryu first briefly presented the Central (and regionals) Customs Laboratory of Korea Customs

Service; its organisation and main roles.

Ms Ryu then presented the genetic analyses performed to identify animal and plant species and to

detect adulterated food products (for fair taxation as well as for consumer protection). She detailed

examples of PCR and DNA sequencing performed on products such as seasoned squids, shredded

cods or powdered pond turtle, and she gave for each example the context, purpose of the control

(taxation, control of origin, protection of endangered species) and outcome.

Ms Ryu also presented the stable isotope ratio analyses performed for the origin authentication. She

detailed examples of controls on adulterated sesame oil and honey.

PLENARY SESSION:

Closing of the 5th Seminar of European Customs Chemists

Chairpersons: Ilze KUNIGA (EC) and Gérard PÉRUILHÉ (FR)

Mr Sandro FORCHERI (Consultant; Honorary member of the European Commission Directorate

General Taxation and Customs Union) gave a closing speech.

Mr Forcheri had been invited to give the Seminar closing address. Mr Forcheri gave a brief history of

the evolution of the management of the Common Customs Tariff since 1967 along with enlargement

of the European Union.

Mr Forcheri highlighted the main steps of the Customs Tariff management evolution: the use of

‘Commission Regulations’ towards a uniform application of the Customs Nomenclature in the late

1960’s; the improvements in the decisions making and implementations in the 1970’s (including the

contribution from the Customs chemical laboratories); the decisive elaboration of the Harmonised

System and the achievement of the Combined Nomenclature in the 1980’s with an important input

from the Customs chemists; the Unique Market achievements since the 1990s, the increased

cooperation between the national Customs administration and also between the laboratories; the

resulting current situation with a Customs Union, a Common Customs Tariff, Common Policies and

numerous fields of cooperation.


Mr Forcheri concluded his speech by pointing out two important contributions of the Customs

Chemists, achieved with the support of the European Commission: the system of the Binding Tariff

Information and the European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances.

Ms Ilze KUNIGA (Head of Unit, Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European

Commission) drew the conclusions of the seminar.

Ms Kuniga thanked the participants, in particular for their participation in the activities of the six

Actions of the ‘CLEN’ (formerly the “GCL”). She underlined the fact that in addition to their daily

work, numerous CLEN members found time to provide valuable contributions for common

improvements.

Ms Kuniga said the seminar had been a very interesting event. She was pleased to listen to the

lectures and the active discussions during the parallel sessions. She was impressed by the technical

developments, the ability to detect, identify or quantify compounds of interest, to determine

species, geographic origin or to distinguish counterfeit or fake products; all contributing to the

consumer protection. The seminar was also the opportunity to raise awareness that the Customs

Laboratories are able to provide responses and ensure controls in the context of the complex

regulatory framework.

Ms Kuniga thanked the guest speakers, who provided clear and interesting lectures on very technical

matters and ideas to take home for future thought and future collaboration. She believed all the

participants were satisfied to exchange with colleagues during the breaks and sessions.

Ms Kuniga evoked some of the aspects, such as waste, textiles, bio-based products or plants, for

which further work and cooperation are needed.

Ms Kuniga insisted on the importance of the cooperation between laboratories, between

administrations, with the industry, with other institutions and with the European Commission. The

seminar was in line with such cooperation, with a spirit of ‘all for one and one for all’.

Finally, Ms Kuniga thanked the French Customs Administration, the French laboratories ‘Service

Commun des Laboratoires’, the organising team as well as the Eurofins assistance team, for the

preparation and organisation of this 5th Seminar of European Customs Chemists.

Mr Gérard PÉRUILHÉ (Director of the SCL, Customs Laboratories, France) also drew some conclusions

of the seminar.

With more than 250 participants from almost 50 countries, a programme covering a wide range of

matters, numerous points of views expressed and discussed, this seminar was open to new horizons.

Mr Péruilhé was pleased to have both representatives from the Customs administration and

laboratories sharing together during this seminar. He was also very pleased to observe the sharing of

common values among the participants: the efforts towards citizen safety and protection.

Mr Péruilhé was impressed by the rigour and precision of the analytical work shown and of the

procedures (for sampling, for accreditation, etc.). The Sampling Manual, SAMANCTA, is a good

example of such rigour and constitutes a very important tool.

Mr Péruilhé was also concerned by the emerging issues and challenges, in the fields of medicinal

products, food supplements, bio-products (food or fuels), nanomaterials, waste, new drugs, etc.

However, the laboratories do not feel alone to face these emerging issues and Mr Péruilhé thanked

the European Commission for its support (in particular with the Customs Programme) to the Network

of European Customs Laboratories.

To conclude his speech, Mr Péruilhé said the French organising team had been really pleased and

honoured to host this seminar and welcome the participants in Paris. Mr Péruilhé thanked the SCL

members, in particular Ms Nadine Varra and Ms Myriam Ferrante, as well as the conference centre

team and the French Customs communication unit.


Mr Hervé SCHEPERS (Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission)

closed the seminar.

Before closing the seminar Mr Schepers invited the participants to have a last coffee break and

discussion together and he informed the participants that they will each receive the proceedings of

the seminar on DVD in the autumn.

Mr Schepers had a thought for the honorary Customs Chemists, and he was proud to show them that

the cooperation they had initiated and the tools they had started developing had grown and

increased.

Mr Schepers thanked all the members of the seminar organising team, the assistant secretaries, the

team of the seminar centre and the interpreters for their work.

Mr Schepers closed the seminar by announcing the organisation of the 6th Seminar of European

Customs Chemist in 2016 in the Netherlands.

OOvveerrvviieeww && RReeppoorrttec.europa.eu/.../group_ecl/5secc_overview_report.pdf5th Seminar of...

Documents

Transcript of OOvveerrvviieeww && RReeppoorrttec.europa.eu/.../group_ecl/5secc_overview_report.pdf5th Seminar of...