Study Guide

In line with the principle of continuous amendment, the Review Sub-Committee is responsible for the systematic review of the Nomenclature on an ongoing basis. It also assists the HSC to ensure that the HS is kept up to date.

Beyond reviewing the HS itself, the Review Sub-Committee prepares any consequential amendments to the Explanatory Notes for the HSC to consider.

Note: The Review Sub-Committee operates by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached on a particular issue, the differing views (together with their rationales) are forwarded to the Harmonized System Committee.

The secretariat

Because the various committees meet at most twice a year, there needs to be a means by which HS matters are continually processed. This is the role of the WCO Secretariat, specifically, the Nomenclature and Classification Sub-Directorate of the Policy and Standard Directorate, which handles Nomenclature and classification matters.

It performs the secretarial work in connection with meetings of the Committee and sub-committees: circulating communications to delegates concerning items on the agenda, preparing working documents, taking on the function of scribe, and drawing up meeting reports.