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Category / AEO
April 25, 2022 by Mike Poverello
AEO, Cross Border Trade, Cross-Border E-Commerce, Customs, Customs compliance, Information Technology, International Shipping, International Trade, Risk Management, SAFE Framework, WCO
Authorised Economic Operator, Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), WCO Safe Framework of Standards, World Customs Organisation
Picture – Nazarizal Mohammed
The 26th/27th Meetings of the SAFE Working Group (SWG) were held successfully from 11 to 14 April 2022. The virtual meetings brought together more than 260 delegates representing Customs administrations, the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), other international organizations and academia.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Pranab Kumar Das, WCO Director of Compliance and Facilitation, highlighted that the SWG had reached an important juncture as the new three-year SAFE review cycle 2021-2024 was about to enter into discussions. It was pointed out that 17 years after it was first published, the SAFE Framework of Standards (FoS) had garnered substantial interest from WCO Members. During the meetings, Guyana became the 172nd WCO Member to express its interest in implementing the SAFE FoS.
With a view to continued enhancement of the AEO criteria and provisions to strengthen the SAFE FoS, WCO Members made several new proposals to revise the Framework. The SWG also received feedback from the private sector on the urgent need to enhance the harmonization of SAFE and AEO implementation. In this context, the SWG heard a presentation by the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme on maintaining the integrity and transparency of AEO implementation.
On this occasion, the SWG reviewed and adopted the new Work Plan for 2022-2024, which reflected the critical activities the SWG will carry out over the next two years until 2024, in parallel with the SAFE review cycle. The SWG also received an update on the development of new features for the Online AEO Compendium (OAC) and the other extensive work underway in collaboration with other international organizations in the areas of security and facilitation.
Against the backdrop of the WCO's theme for 2022, the panel discussion on "Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem" attracted significant interest from Members and the private sector. The experienced speakers from Member Customs administrations, the private sector and the Secretariat enriched the discussions by sharing their best practices on using data for enhancing risk management and monitoring AEO programmes.
As a way forward, the SWG agreed that efforts will be reserved for a comprehensive review to assess and monitor SAFE implementation for greater harmonization of AEO programmes globally.
Source: World Customs Organisation, 25 April 2022
February 3, 2022 by Mike Poverello
WCO supports the launch of the Global NTFC Forum 2022
AEO, Border Control, Capacity Building, Cross Border Trade, Digital Customs, International Trade, OECD, Revised Kyoto Convention, Time Release, Trade Facilitation, UNCTAD, WCO
GATF, ITC, National Trade Facilitation Committees, OECD, UNECE, UNESCAP, World Bank, World Customs Organisation, World Trade Organisation
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has joined hands, once again, with partner Annex D+ organizations (GATF, ITC, OECD, UNECE, UNESCAP, WBG and WTO) in supporting the Global Forum 2022 for National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs). The Forum is being held from 1 to 4 February 2022 in a virtual mode and led by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It has brought together more than 500 participants, around half of which are members of their NTFCs.
In the high-level opening session, the speakers agreed on the need to ensure well-functioning, holistic and dynamic NTFCs, with their critical role in facilitating trade especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, through collaborative arrangements amongst all relevant public and private sector stakeholders. Embracing digital tools, the e-commerce growth and the importance of MSMEs and women traders were also highlighted by the speakers.
In his video address, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of the WCO emphasized the importance of trade facilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery phase. Through simplifying and standardizing border procedures and creating transparent and predictable conditions for trade, Customs administrations facilitate legitimate business that, in turn, increases economic growth and job opportunities.
Secretary General Mikuriya mentioned a survey carried out in 2021, where the WCO took stock of the situation in the area of NTFCs, including the challenges and opportunities observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many NTFCs have put their work on hold, due to the inability to meet in person. However, in some instances NTFCs played an important role in addressing facilitation priorities during the pandemic, and have benefited from the sense of urgency generated by the crisis.
Dr. Mikuriya emphasized the need to strengthen the partnership among all relevant government authorities for improving border agency cooperation, which is essential in emergency situations. He reiterated the need to foster the dialogue and collaboration with the business community and underscored the private sector contribution to digitization, to conducting the Time Release Studies and in advancing Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, while taking into consideration the specific challenges of MSMEs.
The importance of increased diversity and inclusion in trade facilitation reforms, including improving the conditions for women traders was also highlighted. The WCO supports this agenda through its Network for Gender Equality and Diversity, amongst others.
The WCO reiterated its commitment to the TFA agenda in developing and least developed country Members through the WCO Mercator Programme.
The NTFC Forum was made possible with the support of the United Kingdom's Her Majesty Customs & Revenue (HMRC) through the HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Capacity Building Programme, which brings together the WCO and UNCTAD in a partnership for TFA implementation.
The whole address of the Secretary General can be found here.
May 29, 2021 by Mike Poverello
WCO – Two new Instruments on Customs Valuation to Support Customs and Economic Operators
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, Customs, Customs compliance, Customs core competency, Customs Declaration, Customs Valuation, WCO
Customs Valuation, license fees, Royalties, trademark, valuation treatment, World Customs Organization
At its 52nd Session, held from 17 to 19 May 2021, the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation adopted two instruments (Advisory Opinions 4.18 and 24.1) concerning royalties and licence fees under Article 8.1 (c) of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement (Agreement) and the Customs valuation treatment of imported goods bearing the buyer's own trademark, respectively.
These two instruments were adopted after a virtual session which extended over three days, having regard to the current circumstances relating to the pandemic. It rewards the efforts constantly being made by the Technical Committee to improve the certainty of the interpretation and uniform application of the provisions of the Agreement in all member countries of the WTO. Practical instruments of this kind help Customs, the private sector and the Members in the fair control of Customs valuation, the facilitation of international trade and the optimization of Customs revenue.
In the first instrument, the Technical Committee gives its opinion on the valuation treatment of income tax deriving from the royalty paid to the country of importation's tax authorities in accordance with the terms of the licence agreement signed by the importer and the seller, who is also the licence holder.
The second instrument relates to the valuation treatment of the trademark belonging to the buyer and provided free of charge to the seller for use in connection with the production of the imported goods.
These instruments adopted by the Technical Committee, once they have been approved by the WCO Council, will be available on the WCO Publications website and published in the WCO Customs Valuation Compendium.
Source: WCO, 27 May 2021
5th WCO Global AEO Conference opens in Dubai
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, Capacity Building, International Trade, SAFE Framework, Trade Facilitation, WCO
AEO programmes, AEO.2, Dubai, SAFE Framework of Standards, World Customs Organisation
On 25 May 2021, the WCO Secretary General, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, welcomed approximately 3,650 registered participants from 160 WCO Member administrations to the 5th WCO Global AEO Conference. The Conference is being hosted by Dubai Customs and the Federal Customs Authority (FCA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with support from the Korea Customs Service.
Under the theme "AEO 2.0: advancing towards new horizons for sustainable and secure trade", the Conference brings together 80 prominent speakers from Customs administrations, international organizations, academia and the private sector who are engaging virtually to share collaborative input that will help shape the future of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes. This is the first time that the Global Conference has been organized in the WCO's North of Africa, Near and Middle East region.
The Conference was opened by His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chief Executive Officer of DP World and Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zones Corporation, on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed-Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group. He delivered an inspiring message on the importance of innovation and collaboration among Customs and other government agencies (OGAs) to support resilient recovery for global supply chains. He congratulated the WCO for providing the international community with a discussion platform on topical issues of interest and highlighted the need for renewed trust and commitment to preserving sustainable and secure trade.
In his welcome address, Dr. Mikuriya highlighted that in the 16 years since the SAFE Framework of Standards (FoS) was first adopted, the number of WCO Members implementing AEO programmes had increased substantially, from 45 to 97, while the number of Mutual Recognition Arrangements/Agreements had risen exponentially from 17 to 91. Dr. Mikuriya underlined that this demonstrates not only the success of the SAFE FoS but also the importance of monitoring implementation of AEO programmes.
Secretary General Mikuriya offered food for thought regarding the possible next steps to ensure that AEO programmes more effectively support supply chain recovery as the world moves into a post-COVID-19 pandemic environment. These steps may include ways of inviting more economic operators to take part in AEO programmes, strengthening cooperation between Customs and OGAs, and leveraging disruptive and transformative technologies for the benefit of AEO programmes. Finally, consideration should be given to the role played by training and capacity building in making the AEO concept a key tool at the centre of resilient and sustainable supply chain recovery.
Dr. Mikuriya also commended Dubai Customs and the FCA for their strong commitment and generous support towards making this event an immense success. He further acknowledged the backing provided by regional entities as well as other partners, sponsors and exhibitors, who have all contributed to ensuring that this event will be a remarkable and memorable experience for all.
During his opening remarks, His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, said that this Conference provided the UAE with the perfect forum for sharing information on innovative work pushing the boundaries of Customs. He added that it would be an opportunity for everyone to learn more about Dubai's experience of building up Customs to form one of the pillars of the Emirate's development and prosperity.
The Conference will continue on 26 and 27 May with discussions on topics including emerging supply chain security threats; the role of technologies in promoting supply chain renewal; risk management; best practices; and partnership and capacity building activities.
More information can be found on the event website
November 12, 2020 by Mike Poverello
USA & Singapore – Letter of Intent to Explore Single Window Connectivity
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, Homeland Security, Information Exchange, Information Technology, International Trade, IT Inter Connectivity, Mutual Recognition, Single Window, Trade Facilitation, USCBP
Authorised Economic Operator, Customs Mutual Assistance, Mutual Recognition, Singapore Customs, USCBP, WCO Safe Framework of Standards
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Singapore Customs signed a historic letter of intent today that will enable closer cooperation in the areas of trade facilitation, revenue protection and risk management.
Executive Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Trade Brenda Smith signed the letter of intent in Washington, DC on behalf of CBP and Deputy Director-General Lim Teck Leong signed the letter of intent in Singapore on behalf of Singapore Customs.
The Letter of Intent to Explore Single Window Connectivity between Singapore's Networked Trade Platform (NTP) and the U.S. Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) formalizes the United States' and Singapore's commitment to sharing trade data and to exploring the possible connection of the two countries' national Single Windows for trade facilitation. Single Windows are electronic systems that automate and expedite the processing of import and export data by allowing traders to input standardized information in a single entry point to fulfill all import and export requirements. In doing so, Single Windows reduce costs, enhance accountability and improve collaboration among government agencies and the trade community.
"We value the opportunity for transparency and cooperation that a shared Single Window will bring," said Executive Assistant Commissioner Smith. "Government-to-government data sharing is rapidly becoming an important component of efficient and secure trade, and CBP looks forward to working with Singapore Customs on this forward thinking approach to trade facilitation."
"The signing of this letter of intent signifies the first step towards trade data connectivity between the two Customs administrations, and reinforces our commitment to maintain the security of international supply chains, while facilitating legitimate trade," said Deputy Director-General Lim.
The letter of intent follows the successful negotiation of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in 2004 and builds on the Authorized Economic Operator-Mutual Recognition Agreement and the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement concluded by CBP and Singapore Customs in 2014. These efforts support the principles, standards and objectives of the World Customs Organization Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.
The collaboration between CBP and Singapore Customs complements the United States' continued engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Single Window Steering Committee on trade facilitative data exchange and Single Window connectivity/interoperability. Singapore is an active member of ASEAN and the ASEAN Single Window.
In 2019, two-way trade in goods between the United States and Singapore totaled $57.6 billion, making Singapore the United States' 17th largest trading partner and its second-largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Source: US Customs and Border Protection, 10 November 2020
SA Customs launches AEO Programme
AEO, Africa, Authorised Economic Operator, Customs, Customs compliance, Freight Forwarders, Mutual Recognition, Revised Kyoto Convention, South African Customs, Trade Facilitation
Authorised Economic Operators, Customs, Preferred Trader, SAFE Framework of Standards, South African Revenue Service
Customs stakeholders with members of the SARS Preferred Trader team
The stakeholders – from various business associations and Customs umbrella bodies – were very positive after the engagement and were open to form part of an AEO Working Group going forward. The idea is to have representatives from the public and private sectors who would discuss and examine the various issues related to the design and roll-out of the future AEO programme.
An engagement with various key Customs stakeholders was held on 25 September to share Customs' plans to introduce an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme in South Africa.
The AEO programme follows in the footsteps of Customs' Preferred Trader programme which offers various benefits to compliant Customs clients. The SARS' Preferred Trader programme, which was officially launched in May 2017, currently has 105 accredited clients who have been awarded Preferred Trader status.
The AEO programme – based on the World Customs Organisation's SAFE Framework of Standards – requires an extra level of safety and security compliance from traders and offers additional benefits, compared to the Preferred Trader programme. It is also open to the entire Customs value-chain, as opposed to only local importers and exporters.
SARS Customs intends to pilot the AEO programme in South Africa before the end of 2019. Clients in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry – representing big businesses have been earmarked to participate in the pilot, as well as SMMEs in the Clothing and Textile Industry. SARS is also in the planning stage of engagements with its major trading partners within BRICS and the EU for the purpose of establishing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for its AEO Programme and intends to commence engagements within Africa as well.
At the recent stakeholder engagement session, Customs and Excise Group Executive, Rae Vivier, indicated that the AEO programme was being designed for Customs to partner with the private and public sector to improve voluntary compliance and trade facilitation in the country. She mentioned a few key points that SARS was looking at when it came to AEO, including Mutual Recognition Agreements with SACU/SADC trading partners, close cooperation with Other Government Agencies (OGAs) in South Africa to ensure the programme is recognised by all government departments, exploring modern technology such as block chain and augmenting AEO benefits in order to design a programme that would be beneficial for trade.
She also mentioned that C&E Trade Services would soon be sending a survey to Customs traders to find out what clients' requirements are, from a trade facilitation point of view. "We need to collaborate with each other to ensure we design something for the future," she said.
Source: South African Revenue Service
August 14, 2017 by Mike Poverello
C-TPAT falters – how 'SAFE' are the world's AEO programmes?
AEO, Customs, Customs compliance, USCBP
AEO, Authorised Economic Operators, C-TPAT, Mutual Recognition, USCBP, WCO
The following article appeared on Maritime Executive's webpage titled 'Can C-TPAT be fixed?' authored by Stephen L. Caldwell (2017-07-18). The assessment reveals that Customs-Trade partnerships require continuous review and enhancement to retain their appeal and relevance – a significant challenge for customs and border authorities primarily focussed on compliance with the law. I have appended hyperlinks to the critic's articles at the bottom of this post.
As the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism celebrates its fifteenth anniversary, it faces stagnant membership, software train wrecks, questionable assertions of benefits and a much- needed retooling to stay current.
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary security program started in the aftermath of 9/11. Member companies sign up and agree to maintain strong supply chain security. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff then validate members' security practices to ensure they meet minimum criteria. Members are then eligible for benefits such as reduced likelihood that CBP will examine their shipments.
C-TPAT currently has about 11,500 members including importers, consolidators, sea carriers, port terminals and foreign manufacturers. Membership is segregated into three "Tiers" with Tier I representing companies that sign up, Tier II representing validated members, and Tier III representing companies with the highest demonstrated level of security.
The program grew rapidly in the beginning, reaching 1,500 members by 2002, 3,000 by 2003, 7,000 by 2004 and 10,000 by 2012. Given this growth, Congress wanted to make sure it was more than just a "sign- up sheet" and asked its watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), to monitor the program.
GAO's July 2003 report found that, after companies signed up but before any validation process was completed, CBP went ahead and provided benefits by reducing their scores in its risk algorithm. By May 2003, for example, there were 3,355 members receiving benefits but only 15 had been validated. It took a couple of years to work down the backlog.
Even then, GAO's March 2005 report found the validation process was not rigorous enough to ensure that a company's security practices were reliable, accurate and effective. Its 2008 report found that CBP still faced challenges in verifying that C-TPAT members met minimum security criteria. It also found that CPB's records management system did not allow managers to determine whether C-TPAT members complied with program requirements.
Michael Laden, head of customs compliance firm Trade Innovations in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has been helping industry clients with C-TPAT since 2005. Laden has been a licensed customs broker since 1981 and served as Director of Global Trade Services at Target Corporation prior to founding his own firm. He believes that C-TPAT is having a midlife crisis: "The stagnation of membership levels in the 10,000-12,000 range is an indication that industry has lost its appetite for C-TPAT." He cites a problematic history of revolving short-term leadership as part of the problem.
Laden says the program reached its nadir with the August 2015 release of the much-anticipated Portal 2.0 software, designed to further automate the validation process. "The release was rushed into service with limited capabilities and minimal pre-testing," he explains. "It was a complete train wreck. The data from the previous version just disappeared. In some cases, not only did the data disappear but the company disappeared too."
The problems with Portal 2.0 were documented in GAO's most recent report of February 2017, which found that Portal 2.0 incorrectly altered C-TPAT members' certifications or security profiles, impairing the ability of C-TPAT specialists to identify and complete required security validations. Portal 2.0 problems also prevented C-TPAT members from accessing their own data and responding to validation reports.
Since C-TPAT was presented as a partnership with CBP benefiting from its knowledge of member companies' security practices and companies benefiting from reduced scrutiny of their shipments, CBP in 2012 developed a software "Dashboard" to track such benefits. It used the Dashboard in its Program Benefits Reference Guide to assert that entries filed by C-TPAT members were less likely to undergo a security examination than those filed by non-members. Tier III members, for example, were nine times less likely to be examined, and Tier II members 3.5 times less likely.
However, the February 2017 GAO analysis found that C-TPAT members' shipments did not consistently experience lower examinations, hold rates or processing times compared to non-member shipments. When GAO shared its preliminary analysis with C-TPAT officials, they acknowledged that they had never completed system verification, acceptance-testing, or checks on the data in the Dashboard. GAO's conclusion was that the data was unreliable going back to the Dashboard's introduction in 2012, and CBP to this day remains unable to determine the benefits of C-TPAT membership.
Industry Finds Its Own Solutions
While industry was anxious for definitive information on membership benefits, it decided to find its own solutions to some of the costs. One key cost involves security audits of the supply chain, particularly in foreign countries. Shippers and importers got together and created the Supplier Compliance Audit Network (SCAN) to address costs, "audit fatigue," inconsistent reporting and varying compliance requirements.
Companies pay a sliding fee to become part of SCAN, where they can commission audits and get access to completed audits, which could obviate the need for a new audit of a particular supplier. In 2016, SCAN completed more than 3,379 audits in 51 countries. Its board of directors represents some of the largest importers in the U.S., and its audits are conducted by proven service providers such as Bureau Veritas and business standards company BSI.
Dan Purtell, Senior Vice President of 30 BSI's Supply Chain Solutions Group, says, "SCAN members clearly see the benefit of the C-TPAT program. These companies are the 'who's who' of the Tier III C-TPAT community and truly are the supply chain security thought-leaders within the private sector. Member companies compete on the shelf but unite to secure trade, mitigate supply chain risk, and identify and correct security deficiencies."
Purtell notes that "More than 15,000 such deficiencies have been remedied by SCAN since its inception just two years ago. No other association has done more to address global supply chain exposures."
Despite problems, there are signs of improvement according to Trade Innovations' Laden, starting with the decision by the last CBP Commissioner to make the Director of C-TPAT a more permanent position. "This should add continuity to the leadership of the program," he explains, "allowing it to reach its true potential." Laden also praises the new Director, Elizabeth Schmelzinger, for her openness to listen to industry.
"We're retooling the program so that it stays current," says Schmelzinger. "There are a lot of factors that have changed over the years. We want to make sure the minimum standards are still relevant." CBP had enlisted its industry-based Commercial Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) to help it validate those minimum standards and develop C-TPAT best practices with the results to be announced at COAC's March 1 meeting in Washington, DC. However, it was announced at the meeting that the results had been delayed to "make sure they get it right."
When asked whether the intent of revisiting the minimum standards was to increase membership, Schmelzinger responded: "C-TPAT's standards remain high. It's not all about joining the program. We also suspend companies and remove them from the program. So, there is a constant churn in membership."
She also described the evolving roles of C-TPAT and CBP's newer Trusted Trader program, noting that "C-TPAT was foundational to any Trusted Trader status." In other words, the first element of a Trusted Trader program was to ensure security. Then the elements of compliance with rules and regulations would be taken into consideration.
Ultimately, C-TPAT and Trusted Trader would transition into a global safety net whereby low-risk importers and exporters would have their goods expedited through customs processes in both the U.S. and its trading partners.
AEOs and Mutual Recognition
In international parlance, security partnership arrangements like C-TPAT are called Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs. The U.N. reported that, as of 2016, some 79 countries had established AEO programs and an additional 16 planned to launch such programs in the near future. The E.U., consisting of 28 countries, has the largest program, and its Union Customs Code of 2013 aims to, among other things, reinforce swifter customs procedures for compliant AEOs.
Many countries with AEO programs, including the U.S. with its C-TPAT, have signed "mutual recognition agreements" whereby two countries' customs administrations agree to recognize the AEO authorization issued under the other's program and provide reciprocal benefits to companies. As of May 2016, some 40 bilateral agreements had been concluded with 30 more being negotiated. According to the U.N., these bilateral agreements will form the basis for multilateral agreements. To date, the U.S. has signed 11 agreements with, among others, the E.U., Canada, Mexico, Japan and Korea.
C-TPAT Director Schmelzinger adds that "We are also restructuring the program to include exports so that it is more in line with the structure of other countries' AEO programs. As part of our agreements with countries that have AEO programs, those countries will honor a commitment to our exporters who are low- risk. This will help U.S. exporters establish a foothold in those markets."
Michael Laden is more skeptical of mutual recognition, calling it a "noble gesture" but adding there will be little enthusiasm from industry. Most of his clients are importers and will not get any benefit from the new export component.
Regarding exporters, he says that "Since CBP so rarely examines exports, the usual benefit offered by C-TPAT membership does not exist for that part of industry." In Laden's view, "Let's fix C-TPAT before we move on to harmonize customs security and compliance throughout the world." Source: Maritime-Executive
Recommended reading –
C-TPAT Off the Rails – Michael Laden
C-TPAT What's Your Opinion – Michael Laden
March 11, 2017 by Mike Poverello
WCO – Strengthening Customs Business Partner Relationships in the SACU Region
AEO, Africa, Authorised Economic Operator, Capacity Building, Customs, Customs Union, WCO
SACU, stakeholder consultation
During November 2016, 16 Customs officers from SACU member administrations received training in the area of successful stakeholder consultation. The training was facilitated by Accredited WCO Experts from the SACU region. As a result of the workshop, participants drafted National Stakeholder Consultation action plans which outline the administration's national effort in necessary interaction with key stakeholders. The action plans will be used to guide and improve cooperation with businesses in the implementation of the Preferred Trader Programme once they are approved by the Member administrations. Source: WCO
September 24, 2016 by Mike Poverello
Streamlined export clearance 'worth billions'
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, Customs, Customs compliance, Freight Forwarders, International Trade, Trade Facilitation
Australia, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, Charles Stuart University, Trusted Trader
A new customs program aimed at bringing Australia into line with other major trading nations could substantially cut costs when exporting to Asia.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIPB) believes that the benefits to the Australian economy of this streamlined export process could be worth up to $1.5 billion for every one per cent increase in efficiency of transport and logistics supply chains.
The pilot for the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) program launched this month will eventually allow accredited export businesses to gain streamlined customs and security clearance in countries that have a mutual recognition agreement with Australia.
Similar programs have already been adopted by more than 58 international jurisdictions – including China, India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea – since being introduced by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in 2005.
Known generally as Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) schemes, they provide a framework of standards for trading partners in recognising each other's customs and security regimes.
According to the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) at Charles Stuart University, the goods of exporters who are accredited to the New Zealand AEO scheme are 3.5 times less likely to be inspected or held up on arrival in the US.
Professor David Widdowson, head of school at CCES, and a leading advocate and advisor on the introduction of the ATT, says that accreditation to an AEO is often an imperative for many international supply chains.
"When exporters send goods overseas and they get held up, there's basically two ways that countries are dealing with them," he said. "There those that come from a known secure supply chain – such those where a mutual AEO agreement is in place – and they're treated as low-risk; and then there's the rest, which are treated as high-risk.
"Without being part of an AEO or trusted trader agreement, Australian exporters are more often likely to fall into the latter category.
"In some jurisdictions it can be very difficult to be accepted onto an AEO scheme as an importer, so big multinationals often actively look for partners and suppliers who are already accredited to a scheme in their own country – and won't deal with anyone who isn't. They don't want to run the risk of their non-accredited parts of their supply chain compromising their status on the scheme.
"So we can see how AEOs are actually now being used by commerce as a key indicator of the standard that business is looking for in terms of protecting their international supply chain."
The aims of the ATT include expedited border clearance, reduced or priority inspections and priority access to trade services. The DIPB will also explore the possibilities for duty deferral and streamlined reporting arrangements.
Accredited trusted traders are to be assigned an account manager within the DIPB, as a single point of contact to assist with customs and export issues across all federal departments.
To apply to enter the program, Australian exporters and supply-chain businesses – including freight-forwarders, brokers and logistics firms – first need to obtain a self-assessment questionnaire from DIPB.
The information submitted by the business is then audited by the DIPB to ensure that the necessary security systems and procedures are in place, before accreditation can be given. There is no licence or application fee for the program, and Prof Widdowson expects the process to take "a few weeks if it's a major company or it could be a few days if it's a medium-sized company".
The pilot phase will be completed in this current financial year, and only four companies will be taking part initially: Boeing Aerostructures Australia, Devondale Murray Goulburn, Mondelez Australia and Techwool Trading.
Teresa Conolan, assistant secretary of the Trusted Trader and Industry Branch at the DIPB, said more companies would be included in the pilot as it progresses.
"We're hoping to have around 40 companies over the 12 months in the pilot, across a range of business sectors, so we can actually test the processes and make sure they are not too burdensome," she said.
"Over four years we're expecting around 1500 companies to join the scheme – so it's certainly not going to cover all business."
Conolan added that preliminary discussions with some countries were already underway, though negotiations on agreements were unlikely to begin until the ATT was fully launched next July.
She said Australia's key trading partners would be the priority, but expected the negotiations and implementation of agreements with some of them to take a further year.
The rollout of the pilot program follows years of pressure from the Australian business community to embrace AEO, after initial reluctance by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS).
Following an article by The Australian Financial Review on March 20, 2013, which flagged Australia's non-participation, business leaders sponsored a research study, undertaken by the CCES, which found that the scheme could be highly beneficial. Business groups began to lobby the federal government, by which time the ACBPS had reversed its attitude and agreed to consider implementing an Australian scheme.
For more information on the Australian Trusted Trader scheme, visit – trustedtraders@borders.gov.au
Australian exporters to be the first major Trusted Trader beneficiaries
June 11, 2016 by Mike Poverello
EU – UCC strengthens the case for AEO
AEO, Customs, Customs compliance, Customs Statutory Requirements, Freight Forwarders, International Shipping, International Trade, Trade Facilitation
AEO, Authorized Economic Operator, benefits, certification, EU, Mutual Recognition, UCC
Here follows an appreciation of AEO within the context of the EU. According to KGH customs consultancy services, being an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) already entails advantages for companies that have invested in doing the work to gain the AEO certification. With the new Union Customs Code (UCC), companies with an AEO permit will be able to gain additional advantages leading to more predictable and efficient logistics flows as well as an increased competitive edge.
Centralised clearance (being able to clear all customs declarations from one central location in the EU) and self-assessment (self-declaration of custom fees, similar to VAT reporting) are two new possibilities under UCC that will be implemented towards the end of the initial UCC implementation period from 1 May 2016 to 31 December 2020. To take advantage of these, AEO will be a prerequisite. AEO-ready businesses will therefore be well positioned to take advantage of these new possibilities when they become available.
Direct AEO benefits, including fewer physical and document-based controls, pre-notification in case of controls, easier access to customs simplifications and other customs authorisations, as well as access to mutual recognition with third countries, will continue to apply under UCC. The same is true of the soft benefits, such as better cross-functional communication and cooperation, improved customs knowledge and better risk management, which often outweigh the direct benefits as detailed by customs authorities.
With the UCC, AEO becomes a permit (authorisation) and all AEO certifications will have to be reviewed in line with the new UCC guidelines. Much is recognisable from before, but there is an additional competency requirement that is realised through either experience and/or professional qualifications. There is also likely to be more focus on ensuring that AEO applicants have robust routines that reflect their business, and that those routines are known in the business and used on a day-to-day basis.
Ever since the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification was launched in 2008, many companies have been trying to evaluate whether to go for AEO or not. What are the benefits? How long does it take to become certified? Can we do it ourselves or do we need some help? What do we really gain by being AEO? This has sometimes stopped companies taking active steps to get ready for AEO.
Furthermore, some AEO-certified companies have felt that they have been exposed to more controls after AEO certification than before. In other instances the initial certification was fairly easy to achieve, but it then proved much harder to retain at a subsequent audit because routines were not being kept up to date or there had been insufficient internal controls and reviews performed in the business.
Our experience shows that companies that did a thorough job at the time of certification and that also afterwards had a genuine focus on maintaining knowledge, following routines and updating documentation as and when appropriate, have been able to benefit from improved customs management to a greater extent than they first envisaged.
KGH opines there are six situations where being AEO could be beneficial for a company:
Freight forwarder serving customers with logistics flows to and from the EU.
Strong business links with countries where the EU either has mutual recognition or is likely to have it in the not too distant future.
Businesses with many permits that will be reconsidered as part of the transition to UCC, where being AEO may facilitate the reconsideration process for other customs permits.
Large customs guarantee, which may be able to be reduced as a result of being an AEO.
Interested in centralised clearance and self-assessment that will be introduced towards the end of the UCC implementation period.
Interested in raising customs knowledge in a business, in order to better manage risks and be able to take advantage of business opportunities connected with international trade.
Here AEO can also be seen as a seal of quality. Source: kghcustoms.com
September 24, 2015 September 24, 2015 by Mike Poverello
South Africa – WCO ESA Regional Workshop on TFA implementation
AEO, COMESA, Customs, SACU, SADC, SARS, Trade Facilitation, UNCTAD, WCO, WTO
Africa, COMESA, Finland, Nercator Programme, SACU, SADC, SARS, South Africa, Tom Moyane, UK DFID, WCO, WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement
The WCO Regional Workshop on Strategic Initiatives for Trade Facilitation and the Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) – Mercator Programme – for the WCO East and Southern Africa (ESA) region was held from 15 to 17 September 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) representing the WCO Vice Chair of the ESA region, and financially supported by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (UK DFID) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. More than 100 participants from 21 ESA Members (Customs, Trade Ministries/equivalent Ministries), the WTO and other international organizations, development partners and the private sector participated in the event.
The Workshop was opened by the Commissioner of SARS, Mr. Thomas Moyane. He expressed his view that the WCO Mercator Programme created significant conditions for contributing to intra-African as well as international trade facilitation benefits. As Vice Chair of the ESA region, he hoped that the Workshop could recommend immediate actions for the region.
The Workshop raised a lot of interest and active discussions from a variety of well-prepared and informative presentations, including the role of the WCO in TFA implementation; TFA regulations such as Article 23.2 on National Committees on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) and specific national and (sub-)regional examples of implementation approaches; experiences of Trade Ministries and several partner institutions active in the region; and discussions on further approaches to Capacity Building and TFA implementation, including in cooperation with Development Partners.
The region agreed on next steps forward, including on a regional focus on the establishment and maintenance of NCTFs (for instance further provision of replies to the respective WCO survey; identification of the situation within ESA Members); reporting the outcomes of the Workshop to the ESA Regional Steering Committee; encouragement of ESA Members who are not yet Contracting Parties to the Revised Kyoto Convention to accede to it as soon as possible (and/or to identify related Capacity Building needs) – as one concrete way to also support TFA implementation; and responsibility of the ROCB and the Vice Chair to continue collecting and publishing information on ongoing Capacity Building projects and work of partner organizations such as SADC, COMESA, SACU and UNCTAD especially in the TF(A) area in the region – while encouraging Members and partner organizations to share such information.
The Workshop was successfully concluded with positive feedback from Members, partner organizations and development partners. A summary document on the discussions held during the Workshop is currently under finalization by the Vice Chair's office and the ROCB and will be circulated to all participants of the Workshop in due course. Source: WCO
August 22, 2015 August 22, 2015 by Mike Poverello
TFA – Africa is on the move! Why not go faster?
AEO, Cross Border Trade, Customs, Customs compliance, Customs Modernisation, International Trade, Logistics, Non Tariff Barriers, Revised Kyoto Convention, Single Window, Trade Corridors, Trade Facilitation, WTO
AEO, Africa, Asia, Bali Package, customs risk management, LDC, Single Window, WTO, WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement
The following article is published with the kind permission of the author, Tapia Naula who is Principal Transport Economist at African Development Bank, based in the Ivory Coast. He is an international project manager and transport economist with experience in logistics business, research and trade facilitation. This article is a must for anyone associated with or working on the TFA on the African sub-continent, and a bit of a wake up call to those countries who have as yet done little or nothing to progress their participation.
In the World TFA Cup Asia is leading Africa 72 – 35. The first scores of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement are out as member countries submit their Category A notifications. Initial results of the African first series are somewhat unfulfilling. Some teams are playing defensive even if attacking tactic is the only way to win.
In December 2013, WTO members concluded negotiations on a Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at the Bali Ministerial Conference, as part of a wider "Bali Package". Among trade facilitation practitioners the Agreement was received with great enthusiasm: finally there was a legal instrument, which is concrete enough to make a difference! TFA will enter into force once two-thirds of members have completed their domestic ratification process. Section I contains substantive provisions in 12 main Articles. The members are required to categorize and notify each provision of the Agreement as either A, B or C Category. The A Category commits a country to implement the provision upon entry into force of the TFA, or one year after for LDC's. For B-Category there will be a transitional period. C-Category provisions are allowed a transitional period, technical assistance and capacity building.
First, let it be said loud and clear: the WTO TFA is an excellent collection of modern trade and transport facilitation instruments in one folder. In developing countries its implementation would mean reforms that would save time, money and efforts for regular business people and consumers. These reforms may be painful but the countries that can do it, will be the future winners of their regional competition and they will be the ones that will most benefit from joining the global value chains. TFA is the best vehicle for poverty reduction invented so far and that is why it is so important.
In August, 2015, 14 African countries and 25 Asian countries had submitted notifications for category A provisions. Asian countries had "accepted" 72 % of all the provisions as A-Category commitments on average where the respective share of the African countries is only 35 %. On Article-level African countries lag behind on every Article except one (Table 1).
In addition to the low overall share of category A-notifications, the African notifications generally look like "random picks" of sub-paragraphs, compared to many Asian members that have commonly chosen the strategy of basically accepting the whole Agreement and making exceptions for certain few paragraphs according to their particular needs.
Were African governments well-informed of the impact and substance of each paragraph – or are they just being cautious, perhaps trying to delay the final commitment? The patterns between African and Asian countries are in any case different.
TFA includes also "low hanging fruit" – sections that require little technical expertise to be implemented. At least some of these should have been easy for member countries to accept. "Publication and Availability of Information" is one of those sections. Access to information through internet is routine and affordable. It should not require transition periods or particular technical assistance. Donors are even competing to assist governments with such low cost and high-return activities. Still, less than one third of the African Governments notified this Article.
Here are some other peculiar findings:
Out of 14 African countries only Morocco accepted "Border Agency Cooperation" as A –Category provision. Three of the others countries that did not notify it are landlocked countries;
Only four out of 14 African countries had fully notified "Freedom of Transit." Transit challenges in Africa are probably the single most significant source of inefficiency in trade logistics;
One of the foundations of modern customs management is the introduction of Risk Management. Only 3 out of 14 African countries had notified this provision;
Only Morocco notified Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), which gives certain privileges to traders and transport operators, who show high level of compliance to regulations. One wonders why Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania did not notify it as we know that an AEO program is being piloted in the East African Community;
Only Senegal notified the sub-Article on Single Window, which is probably the most important one of the whole Agreement. Senegal perhaps deserves this honor – being the first truly African-based single window country – and also representing the good practice of SW management. Yet, according to the African Alliance for e-Commerce, currently there are at least 16 other single windows either already operational or under development in Africa. Why weren't these developments recognized?
Despite the above "peculiarities" the African situation is fortunately nowhere near as somber as the A-Category notifications indicate. There are plenty of trade and transport facilitation initiatives under implementation – and Africa is indeed "on the Move." We should on one hand side make sure that the valuable TFA Agreement is not becoming a separate formal process alongside the practical actions on the ground, but rather a framework for coaching governments in climbing up the stairs toward greater competitiveness. On the other hand, the countries should not ignore the existing achievements. A lot has been achieved in Africa in recent years and this process should go on and gain speed. Some sub-regions, which have been less successful in this field need benchmarks, encouraging and coaching. This is where African and international organizations can play a role.
Although the direct cost of TFA implementation is relatively low, the indirect cost may be extremely high. The indirect cost concerns existing structures, which generate income for organizations and individuals, who often greatly benefit from the status quo. Some governments have entered into concessions outsourcing critical government functions such as pre-customs clearance operations and processing and submissions of declarations to customs. Western firms have efficiently seized the opportunity and negotiated deals, which guarantee profits for in many cases for decades to come. Single Windows in certain countries are good examples for these. In an unnamed Southern African country for example, humanitarian aid is exempt from taxes and duties in import. If however a UN agency for example imports a container of pharmaceuticals worth five million USD, it will have to pay for a Single Window fee of 42,500 USD! Such Ad Valorem fee arrangements are against the TFA. Such concessions are often built inside structures, which profit from the concessions and in exchange – protects its operations and continuity. This is why they are difficult to tackle. This is an example of the problematics that African policy makers must deal with when taking a position in committing in TFA provisions. It may be a whole lot more complicated than what it looks like.
Association between % Share of Sub-Article Level A-Category Commitments and the Corruption Perception Index Score (CPI). Sources: WTO and transparency International.
The diagram above shows the association of share of the provisions that have been covered by A-Category notifications and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score of the countries. For African countries the correlation is moderate (correlation co-efficient: 0.42) but for Asian countries the association is strong (correlation co-efficient: 0.73). The association of the two variables is understandable: the less corruption a country has (the higher the CPI rank is), the more reforms the government is in liberty to conduct (the higher coverage of TFA as A-category Notifications).
We need to better understand the underlying reasons why policymakers cannot let reforms take off. Traditions, corruption and outdated structures are usually the biggest obstacles. These cannot be overcome by merely providing short-term technical assistance and bench-marking the world best practices but only strong political leadership can make the change. Developing partners should raise this topic on the highest political level and "live together" through the reforms with the counterparts.
The Northern Corridor (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda) provides an encouraging example how multiple reforms can be carried out in very short time. Only two years ago it took staggering 27 days to transport a container from Mombasa Port and deliver it in Kigali, Rwanda. Today it takes only seven days. The improvement was enabled by series of reforms, which were championed by the Heads of States of the Corridor member countries. The example proves that major improvements can indeed be achieved in very short time. On the other hand, even with the most sophisticated instruments, reforms will not succeed if there the high-level ownership is not there. Author: Tapio Naula
EAC Compliant Companies Awarded Regional AEO Certificates
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, Customs, Regional Integration
AEO, East African Community, Private sector, Trade, Uganda Revenue Authority, URA
Thirteen compliant companies across East Africa were awarded Regional Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certificates jointly by Partner States Commissioners of Customs and Director Customs, EAC at a ceremony held at Serena Kampala, Uganda on 24th July 2015.
The Commissioner Customs, URA Mr. Dickson Kateshumbwa who represented the URA Commissioner General was the chief guest during the award ceremony. The Chief Guest observed that with the award of Regional AEO certificate, the project had now come of age and indeed puts EAC on the global map of being the first region to implement a regional AEO programme. The Director Customs, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda congratulated the thirteen companies and remarked that the AEO programme will go a long way in supporting the SCT implementation and eventually spur the growth of intra and extra trade. The SCT Coordinators recited each company profile before all the commissioners and Director Customs awarded the Regional AEO certificate to each of the awardees.
The companies were selected after meeting the set admissibility as set out in the AEO selection criteria. The awarded companies participated in the project pilot phase of the project but have continued to demonstrate and maintain high compliance to the set standards. The companies, from different sectors have continued to move consignments under the AEO scheme and in return have been offered benefits that are now currently under review to ensure they are not only tangible but are attractive enough to draw interest from other traders. Source: WCO
Rwanda Customs Process Made Easier for Tax Compliant Traders
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, Customs, Export
AEO, Authorized Economic Operator, Customs, EAC, East African Community, Rwanda, Trade, World Customs Organization
Headquarters of the Rwanda Revenue Authority
Thirteen companies, three of them Rwandan, last week signed a Memorandum of understanding with Rwanda Revenue Authority to be accorded preferential treatment when clearing their goods at customs. The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) is a regional trade facilitation program recommended by the world customs organization to ease trade and customs clearance for tax compliant and prominent importers and exporters.
Delay in clearing goods at customs is one of the major impediments to smooth trading within the East African Community (EAC). It also contributes to making the EAC region one of the most expensive places to do business despite being the second most growing economy in the world. The AEO creates some kind of obstacle-free zone where traders in the import or export business, known to be complaint with customs requirements, are accorded special treatment to ease the process of clearing their goods while in transit.
The pilot project will see how the system works in reality and the beneficiaries have all been informed of their rights and which ports or borders to claim them from. Rwanda customs officials issue special identifiers to the beneficiaries to help them identify the benefiting traders once their goods appear at any of the designated custom points. These identifiers will be recognizable everywhere in the five partner states of the EAC where the beneficiaries will pass and claim their privileges as AEO.
The growth of global trade and increasing security threats to the international movement of goods have forced customs administrations to shift their focus more and more to securing the international trade flow and away from the traditional task of collecting customs duties.
Recognizing these developments, the World Customs Organization (WCO) drafted the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate global trade (SAFE). In the framework, several standards are included that can assist customs administrations in meeting these new challenges and developing an Authorized Economic Operator programme is a core part of SAFE. Source: AllAfrica.com
Enforcement, Risk Management and Preferred Trade come together in the SACU Region
AEO, Capacity Building, Customs Union, SACU, WCO
AEO, Botswana, Enforcement, Johannesburg, Lesotho, Namibia, Preferred Trader, Risk management, SACU, South Africa, Southern African Customs Union, Swaziland, World Customs Organization
A WCO workshop on the topics of Enforcement, Risk Management and Preferred Trader was conducted in April in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the involvement of the WCO Secretariat, UK Customs and the member countries of the Southern African Customs Union – SACU (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland). Capacity Building in the mentioned areas in the SACU Region is part of the WCO Sub-Saharan Customs Capacity Building Programme financed by the Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, SIDA.
An assessment including lessons learned was conducted concerning Operation Auto, targeted at second hand motor vehicles. This first ever regional enforcement operation in the 102 years of history of SACU presented good results as around 250 vehicles were seized by the Customs administrations. The Regional Intelligence Liaison Office contributed actively in the assessment process, ensuring that also future enforcement operations will benefit from the experiences gained.
The development of further risk management capacity is ongoing at the regional level and discussions were held concerning the establishment of common risk profiles. A number of high risk products have been identified and the formulation of profiles to engage illegal trade in these areas is ongoing.
Regarding the Preferred Trader program, progress can also be reported as SACU Members are approaching implementation at operational level. This project component fits very well with the risk management component as the latter is the foundation of the Preferred Trader approach. The process of selecting high compliant, low risk economic operators for the upcoming pilot scheme is well underway while capacity in verification and post clearance audit is being enhanced. A launch of (a pilot of) the regional Preferred Trade program is tentatively envisaged for the second half of 2013. Source: WCO
Singapore and China's Mutual Recognition Becomes a Reality (mpoverello.com)


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Q: Gif Image in Snackbar I am working on my school Project of Music Player. I am able to fetch the songs list from External drive and able to display the same in listView under Fragment. When I click on the song, it plays and snackbar is opened.
I want this Snackbar to display 'gif image' with animation.I have tried several online code but could not get to any solution
Below is my code:
Snackbar snackbar = Snackbar.make(relativeLayout, nameOfSong , Snackbar.LENGTH_INDEFINITE);
View snackbarLayout = snackbar.getView();
TextView textView = (TextView)snackbarLayout.findViewById(android.support.design.R.id.snackbar_text);
textView.setCompoundDrawablesWithIntrinsicBounds(R.drawable.musicbars, 0, 0, 0);
textView.setCompoundDrawablePadding(getResources().getDimensionPixelOffset(R.dimen.my_value));
snackbar.show();

I want to add Gif of Music Bars which should keep on animating till the song lasts.
Thanks

A: Custom SnackBar in Android
Try this for create Custom Snackbar layout and load gif image in ImageView, I hope this helps you and visit a link to load gif in ImageViewLoad gif in ImageView
Snackbar snackbar = Snackbar.make(parentLayout, "", Snackbar.LENGTH_LONG);
Snackbar.SnackbarLayout layout = (Snackbar.SnackbarLayout)
snackbar.getView();
TextView textView = (TextView)
layout.findViewById(android.support.design.R.id.snackbarText);
textView.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);

View snackView = mInflater.inflate(R.layout.snckBar, null);
ImageView imageView = (ImageView) snackView.findViewById(R.id.image);
imageView.setImageBitmap(image);
TextView textViewTop = (TextView) snackView.findViewById(R.id.text);
textViewTop.setText(text);
textViewTop.setTextColor(Color.WHITE);
layout.setPadding(0,0,0,0);
layout.addView(snackView,0);
snackbar.show();

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Matthew Marren is a Toronto, Canada area-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist with 30 years of live performance and songwriting experience. Matthew's material is a mix of pop, rock, acoustic and adult contemporary genres. Matthew performs his songs live, and is seeking publishing and TV/film placement for his material.
Matthew's latest album "Catharsis In Cadence" can be heard on this site's mp3 player. Please see at the page bottom (available for download soon on Itunes and CDBaby).


The Global Hand Sanitizer Market size was valued at $919 million in 2016 to reach $1,755 million by 2023, and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2017 to 2023. Hand sanitizer is an antiseptic solution, which is used as an alternative to soap and water. It is used to prevent the transmission of infection, which is majorly caused through hand transmission, further causing several diseases such as nosocomial food-borne illness and others.
Consumer inclination towards health & wellness and product innovation such as addition of fragrances in formulation of sanitizers are projected to boost the growth of the global hand sanitizer market. Furthermore, improvement in living standards, rise in health expenditure, increase in awareness about hand hygiene, and support from organization such as WHO, FDA, and others towards the need for sanitation augment the demand for hand sanitizers. However, health hazards associated with chemical ingredients are anticipated to hamper the market growth during the forecast period.
The report segments the global hand sanitizer market based on product, distribution channel, end use, and geography. On the basis of product, the market is classified into gel, foam, spray, and others. Gel hand sanitizers accounted for the maximum share in 2016. By distribution channel, it is divided into online store, departmental store, pharmacy store, and others. Depending on end use, it is fragmented into restaurants, schools, hospitals, household purpose, and others. Geographically, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. In addition, the report highlights various factors that impact the growth of the global hand sanitizer industry, such as key drivers, restraints, growth opportunities, and the role of different key players.
North America dominates the global hand sanitizer market, owing to high hygiene standards among the U.S. population. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate from 2017 to 2023, owing to increase in concern towards health and wellness. Furthermore, improvement in living standards and rise in disposable income are expected to boost the growth of the Asia-Pacific hand sanitizer market.
Gel-based hand sanitizers generated the maximum revenue in 2016, as they are easily available in the market and require lesser time to effectively eradicate germs as compared to spray and other sanitizers. However, foam-based hand sanitizers are expected to grow at the highest rate, owing to the fact that foam hand sanitizers immediately cling to hands while applying. In addition, foam pumps are relatively smaller than gel or spray pumps, and hence provide a convenient option to the consumers.
Departmental store accounted for the maximum revenue in 2016, as customers prefer to purchase from store such as super markets/hypermarkets. Furthermore, attractive discount policies offered by vendors fuel the growth of departmental stores. However, online store registers the highest growth rate, owing to increase in penetration of mobile phones, rise in e-commerce sales, ease payment options, and attractive discounts as compared to stores.
The key players profiled in the report are Reckitt Benckiser Group, The Himalaya Drug Company, Procter and Gamble, Gojo Industry Inc., Henkel Corporation, Unilever, Vi-Jon Laboratories Inc., Chattem Inc., Best Sanitizers Inc., and Kutol Products Company.
This report provides an extensive analysis of the current and emerging market trends and dynamics of the global hand sanitizer market.
This study evaluates competitive landscape of the hand sanitizer industry to understand the market scenario globally.


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Seattle Mayor: Easy on Heroin Addicts, Tough on Gun Owners
Seattle seems more intent on alienating gun owners than drug users. (Dave Workman)
While Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has given the nod of approval to creating "safe" sites so drug addicts can use illegal drugs, he has worked to make it harder for law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Murray last week defended the city's "sanctuary" philosophy as President Donald Trump signed a new executive order cracking down on such cities.
Now Seattle is making headlines for being the first city in the United States to approve a "safe injection site" for drug addicts. This happens while Seattle continues its so-called "gun violence tax."
So, while the city evidently wants to discourage gun owners and does not seem alarmed that one profitable gun store has moved its operation out of the city, the mayor is backing an idea sure to encourage illegal drug users to head for Seattle.
The Washington Post noted Friday that such sites, "are not currently legal under federal law, according to Kelly Dineen, a professor of health law at Saint Louis University School of Law. A provision of the Controlled Substances Act makes it illegal to operate facilities where drugs are used, she said."
Adding to what appears to be monumental hypocrisy, the Post reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said "a record 33,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2015. Opioids now kill more people each year than car accidents. In 2015, the number of heroin deaths nationwide surpassed the number of deaths from gun homicides."
But if one were to ask Murray, he would likely say guns are a bigger problem, as he did last week when referring to crimes committed by illegal aliens.
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report for 2015, there were 13,455 murders in the United States that year. Of those, 9,616 were committed with firearms, so for the Washington Post to report that the number of heroin deaths surpassed the number of gun-related homicides might be considered an understatement.
While still serving in the State Senate in 2013, Murray sponsored a bill to ban so-called "assault weapons," but in 2015, rifles of any kind were used in only three of Washington State's 209 total murders. Shotguns were used in five more that year, according to the FBI data.
That's not an epidemic of firearms-related violence, while the Washington Post noted that in 2015, King County – where Seattle is located – reported 132 heroin overdose deaths. That's almost as many deaths as the 141 firearms homicides in the entire state that year.
Is Murray attacking the wrong problem?
'Issue is Guns, Not Immigration' says Seattle Mayor; CCRKBA Pounces
WA Lawmakers Want to Micromanage Firearms Storage…Again
Filed Under: 2nd Amendment, News Feed
About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is an award-winning career journalist with an expertise in firearms and the outdoors. He is the author of several books dealing with firearms politics. He has a degree in editorial journalism from the University of Washington and is a lifelong Washington resident.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Archives For First Things
Puppies in Heaven
Will dogs and other fauna have a place in the new creation? It's an interesting—and controversial—subject.
I just reread a delightful essay in which the author, an Orthodox theologian, describes a debate he had with a Roman Catholic scholastic on the subject.* I enjoyed the following description of the discussion so much that I had to share it.
I was once told by a young, ardently earnest Thomist . . . you know, one of those manualist neo-paleo-neo-Thomists of the baroque persuasion you run across ever more frequently these days, gathered in the murkier corners of coffee bars around candles in wine bottles, clad in black turtlenecks and berets, sipping espresso . . . this young Thomist told me that not only could my dog not love me (since he lacks a rational nature), but I could not love my dog (something about there needing to be some rational equality between lover and beloved).
Now, while I admitted that I could only presume the former claim to be incorrect . . . I was adamant that I could be absolutely certain of the falsity of the latter. But my friend was not deterred: "Oh, no," he insisted, "you don't really love him; you just think you do because of your deep emotional attachment to him."
Of course. Foolish of me. Leave it to a two-tier Thomist to devise a definition of love that does not actually involve love. If you can believe in pure nature, I suppose you can believe anything.
{More on the question of animals in paradise below . . .}
Debates (civilized variants of arguments) can be fascinating when they are dissected and examined. Theological debates are particularly enthralling.
C.S. Lewis appreciated the value of debate in sharpening one's position. This approach to learning can be traced back to the Socratic Method, which is based upon asking and answering questions.
In 1941, the Oxford Socratic Club was formed to "follow the argument wherever it led them." C.S. Lewis was its first president (faculty sponsor), serving until 1955 when he moved to Cambridge University. In the first issue of the Socratic Digest, Lewis wrote:
In any fairly large and talkative community such as a university, there is always the danger that those who think alike should gravitate together into coteries where they will henceforth encounter opposition only in the emasculated form of rumour that the outsiders say thus and thus.
The absent are easily refuted, complacent dogmatism thrives, and differences of opinion are embittered by group hostility. Each group hears not the best, but the worst, that the other groups can say.
Some of the debates conducted by the club were legendary. You can read a fine article about these "University Battles" here.
Returning to the Question of Animals in Heaven
I wrote on this subject several years ago. That post is worth checking out if only for the amazing graphic that graces it.
You can read my own perspective on the question there, if you are interested.
Today I wish to end, instead, with the summary of my kindred spirit, who debated the philosopher.
The final sentence in this next section is priceless.
The occasion of the exchange, incidentally, was a long and rather tediously circular conversation concerning Christian eschatology. My interlocutor was an adherent to a particularly colorless construal of the beatific vision, one that allows for no real participation of animal creation (except eminently, through us) in the final blessedness of the Kingdom; I, by contrast, hope to see puppies in paradise, and persevere in faith principally for that reason.
His sentiment reminds me of C.S. Lewis' thoughts in Mere Christianity.
I sometimes like to imagine that I can just see how it might apply to other things. I think I can see how the higher animals are in a sense drawn into Man when he loves them and makes them (as he does) much more nearly human than they would otherwise be.
Hart offers another delightfully sarcastic comment about the weight of different authorities the two debaters were citing. And with that observation, we shall end.
On his side, all the arguments were drawn from Thomas and his expositors; on mine, they were drawn from Scripture; naturally, limited to the lesser source of authority, I was at a disadvantage. . . . [arguing] that the biblical imagery of the redeemed state is cosmic in scope and positively teeming with fauna (lions lying down with lambs and such)—that Paul's vision of salvation in Romans 8 is of the entirety of creation restored and glorified—things of that sort. All in vain, though; nothing I said could rival the dialectical force of his ringing sic Thomas dixit [so Thomas said].
* The author, David Bentley Hart, is not anti-Catholic. In fact, he has taught at several Roman Catholic universities. The article quoted appears here.
In Animals, C.S. Lewis, Nature, The Future, Theological Matters	Aquinas, C.S. Lewis, Cambridge, Debate, Debates, Dogs, First Things, Heaven, Oxford, Pets, Puppies, Socrates
Unintentional Acrostics
Some writers sweat to find precisely the right word, the one that expresses the unique meaning and tone we seek to convey. We often fail, as the reference to perspiration in my first sentence readily reveals. A recent observation from the executive editor of First Things provides me with another crippling concern.
"This for those interested in how magazines work. My son Christopher pointed out that the initial capital letters on a two-page spread . . . spelled "a wit." Which was kind of nice. Accidental, but nice. And then I thought: Suppose some day we accidentally spelled out a rude four-letter word? Now, after the magazine is laid out, one of the junior fellows reads through the magazine to make sure we haven't accidentally made a word that will embarrass us. It's a small thing, and probably paranoid, but here paranoia equals prudence."
Unless each writer maintains constant vigilance, since most of us don't have "junior fellows" to assign the duty, it's quite possible for unintentional acrostics to slip into our work. Like the seamen in the crow's nest of the Titanic—I just watched a new documentary on the subject last night—we can easily miss the veiled iceberg which threatens to sink our best effort.
Prone as we are to playing with the depths of individual words, we are normally sensitive to the fact more than 90% of a word's value in a particular context may lie beneath the surface. That does not mean, however, that we always see the larger picture.
It is not uncommon for a writer to become almost paralyzed while composing something, when the ideal word continues to elude us. It is almost "literally" painful to have to settle for a substitute, when we suspect the perfect word is floating somewhere just beyond our reach.
Dodging mundane words is not easy. They are common, in part at least, because they are so simple and easy to plug into sentences. And so, we "go" to the store, when we might just as easily "drive," "walk," "ride," or even "hitchhike." A movie is described as "good," when readers would value a vivid word, such as, "suspenseful," "hilarious," "complex," "moving," or even "groundbreaking."
Reflections on the Psalms, one of C.S. Lewis' gems, explores the beauty of the Bible's hymnal. "The Psalms," he notes, "are poems, and poems intended to be sung: not doctrinal treatises, nor even sermons." Because of this, they have nourished the worship lives of Jew and Christian alike, for thousands of years.
Even without a theological education, Lewis offers great insight into the Psalms. "I am no Hebraist, no higher critic, no ancient historian, no archaeologist." He candidly discusses passages he initially found difficult to embrace, as well as those which soar to spiritual and poetic heights. The following comes from his discussion of Psalm 119, which is skillfully composed around an alphabetic acrostic.
"As everyone knows, the Psalm specially devoted to the Law is 119, the longest in the whole collection. And everyone has probably noticed that from the literary or technical point of view, it is the most formal and elaborate of them all. The technique consists in taking a series of words which are all, for purposes of this poem, more or less synonyms (word, statutes, commandments, testimonies, etc.), and ringing the changes on them through each of its eight-verse sections—which themselves correspond to the letters of the alphabet. . . . this poem is not, and does not pretend to be, a sudden outpouring of the heart like, say, Psalm 18. It is a pattern, a thing done like embroidery, stitch by stitch, through long, quiet hours, for love of the subject and for the delight in leisurely, disciplined craftsmanship."
"Done like embroidery, stitch by stitch." Many writers, I suspect, will appreciate that description. While we are sometimes forced to throw something together in a rush, the patchwork results offend our sensitivities.
Even when writing rather pedestrian things like much of our email correspondence, most writers seek to employ lively verbiage. It's a valuable exercise, after all, to consider the pace of all of our work, and not simply those words we hope to see "published." And, having written something worth reading, there is one more consideration.
Reviewing what we have written is well worth the time required. And, as Editor David Mills suggested in First Things, our examination should include any unintentional acrostics we may have created. After all, no respectable writer would ever wish to, even accidentally, offend their readers.
In Advice to Writers, C.S. Lewis, Literature, Poetry, The Bible, Words, Writing	Accidents, Acrostic, Advice, Alphabet, C.S. Lewis, First Things, Magazines, Poetry, Psalms, Vocabulary, Words, Writing
Beware of Zoolatry
When my wife and I dated, I praised her beautiful cat when I visited her home. The cat maintained that imperial posture and attitude that is common in virtually all felines. And that came as no surprise, since she was an Egyptian Mau, one of the most ancient of breeds. She passed on long decades ago, but her haughty, regal bearing is etched in my memory.
I thought of her today when I read the following in the December issue of First Things, in the executive editor's column.
Wandering around the American Kennel Club's big "Meet the Breeds" event with my two youngest children recently, I saw a big banner in the cat section proclaiming that a particular breed had been considered a god by an ancient civilization. Of course, our understanding of the genuine religious impulses of ancient religions has increased, but still, one of the gifts the Jewish people have brought the world is that no one who knows about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the least bit tempted to worship cats.
I mean, would you want to worship a murderous narcissistic psychopath? This is not an image of God to make anyone happy. If you're going to worship an animal, why not the Border Collie, frantically eager to please, or the loving, soulful-eyed Lab? Or the alert and protective German Shepherd? Or the indomitable Saint Bernard? Or the classic loyal and even-tempered mutt?
I don't intend to offend any cat lovers by repeating this observation—my son has an affectionate tabby he rescued as a kitten while a senior in high school, that's welcome in our home anytime. Still, as an unrepentant dog person, and "papa" to a rescued border collie, the words above brought a smile to me.
C.S. Lewis painted a graphic image of one animal-headed deity. It was Tash, the god of the Calormenes. In The Last Battle, we see that in Narnia, the reality behind the lifeless image can be most terribly revealed.
In the shadow of the trees on the far side of the clearing something was moving. It was gliding very slowly Northward. At a first glance you might have mistaken it for smoke, for it was grey and you could see things through it. But the deathly smell was not the smell of smoke. Also, this thing kept its shape instead of billowing and curling as smoke would have done. It was roughly the shape of a man but it had the head of a bird; some bird of prey with a cruel, curved beak. It had four arms which it held high above its head, stretching them out Northward as if it wanted to snatch all Narnia in its grip; and its fingers—all twenty of them—were curved like its beak and had long, pointed, bird-like claws instead of nails. It floated on the grass instead of walking, and the grass seemed to wither beneath it. . . .
The others watched it for perhaps a minute, until it streamed away into the thicker trees on their right and disappeared. Then the sun came out again, and the birds once more began to sing. Everyone started breathing properly again and moved. They had all been still as statues while it was in sight. "What was it?" said Eustace in a whisper. "I have seen it once before," said Tirian. "But that time it was carved in stone and overlaid with gold and had solid diamonds for eyes. It was when I was no older than thou, and had gone as a guest to The Tisroc's court in Tashbaan. He took me into the great temple of Tash. There I saw it, carved above the altar."
"Then that—that thing—was Tash?" said Eustace.
In our world, idolatry has certainly evolved since it's pantheistic and zoolatrous beginnings. Today we are tempted by material indulgences and corruptions aplenty. While few of us impute divinity to animals or objects of stone or wood, we don't have to look far to find something we deem worthy of adoration.
Our favorite idol is neither beast nor mammon. It is ourselves. As C.S. Lewis wrote in The Problem of Pain:
This act of self-will on the part of the creature, which constitutes an utter falseness to its true creaturely position, is the only sin that can be conceived as the Fall. For the difficulty about the first sin is that it must be very heinous, or its consequences would not be so terrible, and yet it must be something which a being free from the temptations of fallen man could conceivably have committed. The turning from God to self fulfils both conditions. It is a sin possible even to Paradisal man, because the mere existence of a self—the mere fact that we call it "me"—includes, from the first, the danger of self-idolatry. Since I am I, I must make an act of self-surrender, however small or however easy, in living to God rather than to myself. This is, if you like, the "weak spot" in the very nature of creation, the risk which God apparently thinks worth taking.
Now, this is a sin to which I frequently find myself succumbing. I far too often think first about my own desires and appetites . . . only later (if ever) becoming concerned with the needs of my neighbor.
No, it's neither cat nor dog that needs to be evicted from the throne in my soul reserved for my Creator—it's me.
In Animals, C.S. Lewis, Faith, History, Interfaith Issues, Narnia, The Ancient Church	Border Collie, C.S. Lewis, Calormene, Cat, Cats, Dog, Dogs, Egypt, First Things, Idol, Idols, Kennel Club, Mau, Narnia, Sin, Tabby, Tash, Worship, Zoolatry


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Need a new logo and not sure where to begin? It can be an intimidating process starting from scratch. You have a vision for your business, but how do we condense it into one perfect icon and word combo that expresses your unique self and all that you do? How does one pick from the infinite options? Ack! Take a deep breath, I've helped many folks in your same position. We will start with a conversation where I ask questions about your organization sketch out about ten different ideas. Then some simple questions about what you like and don't like and we'll be all set!
Have an existing logo that is too low-resolution? If it's fuzzy in print or you can't find a vector version, we can re-create it for you as an Adobe Illustrator (ai) file cleaner and crisper than before. We can also do simpler edits like making the background of your logo transparent or changing up the colors so the logo works on a dark background (for example).
For either, our rate is $100/hour. Simple edits can be accomplished in as little as 15 minutes, while a fully researched and completed logo from scratch can be several hours ($3-500 is a good ballpark for a simple typeface design, though more precise designs with custom illustrations can get pricier).
Please get in touch to start your logo project!


"Green consumers" are becoming more common. They're buying organic foods, natural cleaning products, and hybrid cars. They're also buying sustainable landscapes.
Find out what your colleagues had to say about this class.
The January 29, 2019 offering of this course was approved for the following credits. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.
What did you find to be the most useful aspect of the program?


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k-12 STEM Education
WVU College of Education and Human Services
Degree/Certification Programs
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Summer Research Experience
Part of the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in West Virginia, the Summer Research Experience was created to connect pre-service, early service, and in-service teachers and scientific researchers, so that teachers may take their research experiences back to their classrooms. Learn more about Summer Research Experience
Garden-Based Learning
The College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) and North Elementary School initiated garden-based learning (GBL) in the Spring, 2011. Students germinated seedlings and transplanted them to 13 raised beds that were installed on the school grounds through the efforts of school staff, parents, a technical education center, and a Master Gardener. School teachers have attended GBL in-services and integrated GBL with reading/language arts, creative arts, mathematics, and science. GBL at North Elementary includes indoor grow labs, vermicomposting and outdoor raised beds. Learn more about Garden-Based Learning
Arts and Bots
Arts and Bots is a project that stemmed from a Carnegie Mellon University CREATE lab project. The project combines artistic building skills, engineering design skills, and simple computer programming and mechanics to build a three-dimensional art project that the students then animate using simple robotic components. View a video and learn more about the Arts & Bots Program
GigaPan Technology
Fourth grade students at North Elementary School have mastered GigaPan technology.They are able to set up the robotics platform and take photos, employ the stitching software to construct panoramic "Gigapan" images from the photos to display at the Gigapan.com site, and initiate and participate in conversations about GigaPan images. Integration of GigaPan with the North Elementary School curriculum was made possible by the Mountaineer Create Lab grant from the Benedum Foundation. View a video and learn more about GigaPan Technology
CREATE Lab
WVU is an integral member of the expanding Carnegie Mellon University Community Robotics Education & Technology Empowerment (CREATE) Lab Satellite Network. The CMU CREATE Lab develops, refines, and produces technologies that are appropriate and accessible for children of all ages. The Satellite Network is composed of several colleges of education, school districts, lab schools and teacher professional development centers who take the developed technologies to the classroom settings surrounding their facilities. WVU has focused on expanding two programs: Arts & Bots, a combined arts and robotics program, and GigaPan Systems, a super-high-resolution photography system that we employ with the garden-based learning program at local schools.
NanoSAFE
Nanotechnology Sensing Advances in Field and Environment (NanoSAFE) at West Virginia University is West Virginia's initiative for nanoscale science, engineering and education (NSEE). This effort also includes researchers at Marshall University and West Virginia State University, and those involved with the Research Infrastructure Improvement award 2010-2015 granted to the state: Bionanotechnology for Public Security and Environmental Safety.
NOYCE
The Noyce Foundation aims to help young people become curious, thoughtful, and engaged learners. The Noyce Foundation focuses on a few key areas: Improving the teaching of math and science in public schools, developing leadership to support student achievement, education policy and research, and finally, on expanding opportunities for students to experience hands-on science in out-of-school settings.
K-12 STEM Education Initiative
College of Education and Human Services
355 Oakland Street | P.O. Box 6122 | Morgantown, WV 26506-6122
Phone: 304-293-5703 | Fax: 304-293-7565 | CEHSadmin@mail.wvu.edu


Should I place all sections on a single page (thereby forcing the user to scroll), or should I break them into 3 separate pages that don't require scrolling?
I've read usability studies that suggest users prefer scrolling rather than navigating between pages, but I believe much of that preference is the result of browser latency when switching pages. Assuming the pages can be rendered without a server round-trip, which would be the preferred approach?
I'd break them into three pages, but not because of scrolling. Scrolling is not a problem. Having 30-40 fields thrown at you all at once is intimidating, it creates an immediate overload that may scare users off. Dealing with them one group at a time is much easier.
Our company has done many, many studies to try to determine if users prefer long forms or forms broken up into separate pages. We've found that it usually depends on the nature of the task.
Is filling out this form something that your users do on a daily basis, perhaps many times per day? A long form would probably be preferred in this case. Users that have to frequently perform a task want to tab through all fields and knock it out without having to wait for the browser to load separate pages.
Is this a form for new users, or will users only access this form on rare occasion? Breaking the form into several pages would probably be better for this scenario. As Vitaly said, you don't want to intimidate new users or those who are unfamiliar with a screen. Especially if they are not committed to using your service. After filling out a simple short form, they will be more likely to continue through the rest of the steps because they've already made a small time investment.
Even if you keep it on the same page, I agree with others that the sections should be visually distinct. Just make sure the tab order makes sense.
either 3 pages or break your page into 3 visually distinct zones.
Of course it depends on the context of the form, but the method of splitting contents is a type of progressive disclosure or a way of reducing the cognitive burden on the user.
3 visually distinct zones would be my choice. It seems that these 3 sections would be closely related. Progressive disclosure would be great too, like having chevron or link to expand/collapse content.
I think splitting these into separate pages would make these sections feel less related, as it seems they all pertain to the information for one product.
I think many of the comments above make really good points, but another issue that favours breaking the form into three separate pages is that of saving progress for later. Do you know that users will always complete the form in one session or is there evidence (explicit or implied) that users will have any reason to complete some of the form in one session and continue completion in a later session? If so then not only do you want the form broken into distinct groups, but the ability to save and return, if possible, might be a worthwhile consideration.
Any chance of offering a toggle?
That way the user can decide.
I would also like to add that it may depend on the number of steps in the entire process; these three sections cannot be considered independently if they do not function independently. If the process is already 5 steps, breaking this page into three separate sections may not be a good idea. Studies have shown that more steps translate into fewer conversions at a certain point, even if the steps are short.
I would use 3 in-page dialogs to gather the information and display it on the main page behind the dialogs once the submit through a ajax action. This gives you the ability to keep the input small with out having to navigate them between several pages.


Area of regular and irregular shapes – Mrs Baldwin's Class Blog!
This term we have been focusing on Area of 2D regular and irregular shapes.
To begin with we discussed as a class what we thought Area meant.
Area is the size of a surface of a 2D shape.
If a shape has an area of 12cm2 this means that the surface can be covered by 12 squares that are 1 centimetre on each side.
If a shape had an area of 350m2 which is how a lot of blocks of land or houses area measured in, this means that the surface of that shape can be covered by 350 squares that are 1 metre on each side.
We then looked at how we can calculate the area of regular shapes by placing a shape on a grid and counting the squares inside of shape.
Next we discussed how to use the grid paper to calculate the area of irregular shapes. We all drew our hands on a grid of paper. Mrs Baldwin then set the task to find a strategy that best suited us to calculate the total area of our hand. This was a great challenge and it was interesting to see the many different types of strategies. Once we found the answer we were asked to explain how we solved this underneath our working out.
The following lesson Mrs Baldwin asked us how we could calculate the area of a regular shape without using grid paper. Imagine trying to measure the area of our classroom floor using the squares from our maths books! This would take a very long time!!
Area = Length x Width.
Some of us were also able to complete more challenging irregular shapes. With these shapes we had to find a way to cut the shapes so that they would become rectangles or squares. We would then calculate the area of both shares and then add both of these answers together to get the total area.
If we drew a horizontal line to create a long thin rectangle along the bottom and the other shape becomes a square we would have to think carefully what the length and width would be for both shapes in this case.
Check out the video below for more information about Area.
Next is using all these skills to create our ver own dream house!
What did you learn about calculating area of different shapes?
When in everyday life do you think you would need to calculate the area of something? Provide an example.
Can you find the area of the 2 shapes below. Make sure you use the correct units of measurement.
I thought it was very fun to do the hand maths thingy because it was challenging to do it.