December 2020: Following our May 2020 publication 'EU tracking and tracing system fully applicable for cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco', available here, read more on SFP's main concerns on the status quo.

SFP once again urges the European Commission and Member States to adopt structural changes regarding the tracking and tracing system:

• As soon as possible: revise the independence criteria for industry-appointed operators in the system (data storage operators and auditors) in order to ensure that they are fully independent, have no prior links with the industry, and serve the public interest.
• By May 2021: commit to a revision of the TPD Article 15 and 16 in the report on the implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive to remove the roles and responsibilities awarded to the tobacco industry in the legislative act, in line with the requirements of the Illicit Trade Protocol.

The full document is available for download below.