The new online system provides iPIC (Informal Prior Informed Consent) participating countries with real-time, 24-hour, 7-days a week personalized access to key licensing system data in each of the participating countries. The system provides a standardized and secured repository of iPIC data. As of December 2012, the online iPIC system contains data from 63 countries including details on more than 1000 companies licensed to trade ODS, information on equipment or products with trade restrictions. More is expected to be available in the coming months as more countries elect to participate in the iPIC procedure.
The online iPIC replaces a previous mechanical method of the exchanging information about national licensing system on ODS. The new system was designed and developed by UNEP OzonAction to further enhance the well-accepted iPIC mechanism and make it even easier for the participating countries to use.
The online system was developed after an intensive 3-month development phase during which a number of select countries in different regions tested and critiqued a pilot version.
Features of the online iPIC include the ability to search specific items of information sheets; interactive query and information sharing forum; ability to easily and rapidly generate various reports and statistics; ability to update an iPIC sheet with a simple click that will copy the information from a previous sheet onto a new sheet, equipped with a FAQ section (which answers basic questions) and a Help section (which thoroughly explains how to use the online system); multi-lingual capability; and interactive colour coded map displaying country iPIC information sheet status.
iPIC-online is accessible on an invitation-only basis and only registered users (country focal points) of countries that have submitted an iPIC Information Sheet can have access to iPIC-online and to all the published sheets.
The iPIC mechanism is a voluntary and informal system of information exchange on intended trade between the authorities in importing and exporting countries that are responsible for issuing ODS trade licenses.
The designated authorities in charge of issuing import / export licenses are encouraged to consult the iPIC info sheets of their respective trade partners before issuing any license.
Related Resources:
- Improved iPIC (Informal Prior Informed Consent) platform
- iPIC Factsheet
- iPIC Report
