The European Commission has proposed a Council Decision authorising the EU to support mutual recognition of Singapore's Secure Trade Partnership Plus Programme and the EU's Authorised Economic Operator Programme, according to a document published on 25 June 2026. The decision, to be adopted by the EU-Singapore Committee on Customs, would allow certified traders in both jurisdictions to benefit from streamlined customs procedures and reduced security checks, enhancing supply chain security and trade facilitation.
The proposal, issued by the Commission's Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD), follows an equivalence assessment completed in 2023 that found the two programmes' security and safety qualification standards compatible and producing equivalent results. The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 21 November 2019, established the Committee on Customs under Article 16.2 to handle such mutual recognition decisions. The committee is expected to adopt the decision during its second meeting in 2026, and the decision will be binding on both parties under Articles 16.4(1) and 6.17(2) of the agreement.
The mutual recognition will primarily benefit certified traders in both economies, reducing administrative burdens and clearance times. EU customs authorities will gain enhanced security cooperation with Singapore, while non-certified traders may face relatively longer processing times as resources are reallocated. The Council Decision enters into force on the date of its adoption, after which the EU will formally present its position at the committee meeting. The European Parliament is not directly involved in this procedure, as the decision falls under Council competence for trade agreement implementation.