Third OECD Dialogue on Non-Counterfeit Illicit Products: Business at OECD Underlines Importance of Work on Illicit Trade

On 22 January, Business at OECD played a key role in advancing the OECD’s new workstream on countering illicit trade in non-counterfeit illicit products. Discussions at these dialogues have explored typologies of non-counterfeit illicit products, sector-specific risks, enforcement, and institutional gaps, as well as innovative regulatory tools, including digital traceability and the OECD Free Trade Zone Certification Scheme. While much attention has been devoted to counterfeiting, an often-overlooked segment of illicit goods violates other legal and regulatory frameworks. Business at OECD first raised this issue and called on the OECD to take action at the OECD’s Working Party on Countering Illicit Trade meeting in March 2025.

Our Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group Chair and Intel's Susan Wilson delivered opening remarks.

Our Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group Chair Susan Wilson joined the opening session including the OECD's Piotr Stryszowski and John Drummond, as well as the OECD's Working Party Chair on Countering Illicit Trade Chris Martin.

Our delegation, including Amazon, AB InBev, Servier, Walmart, Syngenta, BAT, Novartis, Pernod Ricard and JTI, led by our Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group Chair Susan Wilson underlined the severe consequences of illicit trade in non-counterfeit illicit products, and the need for practical public-private cooperation. Our Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group Chair Susan Wilson also stated, “We must engage the sectors closest to the risk, listen to those with the data and experience, and build responses that reflect how illicit trade actually works today.” Business at OECD will continue to support these discussions at the OECD’s forthcoming meeting in March 2026, gather evidence and work towards a more systematic and coordinated policy response.