Monitoring of implementation

The legal framework measures the existence and quality of transposition laws. Institutions assess the presence of a supervisory authority, a focal point and human resources. Practices measure training, inventories and cooperation. Finally, results count seizures, restitutions, reports and checks.

Each indicator is scored from 0 to 5 by the Secretariat, on the basis of documents supplied by the State and independent sources. The overall score is the weighted average of the four dimensions.

The average score rose from 61 in 2020 to 78 in 2024. The clearest progress concerns the legal framework, where almost all States have transposed the directives. Practices progress more slowly, because they depend on resources and training.

Nine States have a score below 50; they are the subject of an action plan agreed with the Secretariat. Fifteen States exceeded 90 and act as sponsors for those making progress.

The monitoring report feeds three processes: individual action plans, decisions on allocating support missions and preparation of revisions of the directives. Recurring findings — for example the weakness of customs officers' training — are turned into general recommendations.

The report is presented each year to the Assembly, which may adopt resolutions. It is also made available to the public, which contributes to the organisation's transparency.