Current Projects and Initiatives
ITSA is actively engaged in a range of initiatives supporting the development and implementation of secure tax stamp, authentication and traceability systems, with a focus on standards, policy and knowledge-sharing.
Active Projects
ISO 22382 Revision
International standard for tax stamps
ITSA is contributing to the funding and drafting of the revised ISO 22382, the international standard for tax stamps. The updated version, due for publication by autumn 2026, reflects current best practice in the design, procurement, issuance and monitoring of tax stamp systems, including the integration of physical security features with digital identifiers.
The revision process draws on accumulated experience across ITSA member organisations and the broader tax stamp community, ensuring the updated standard keeps pace with evolving technologies and the growing role of serialisation and digital systems in excise control.
European Traceability and Authentication Frameworks
Contributing to the EU Digital Product Passport and Tobacco Products Directive Revision
ITSA is actively engaged in two major European initiatives that will shape the future of product identification, traceability and authentication systems.
In 2025, ITSA was appointed as a liaison organisation to the CEN-CENELEC technical committee responsible for implementing the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP). ITSA contributes to discussions on system architecture, with a particular focus on ensuring that emerging digital identification frameworks incorporate appropriate security and authentication measures to mitigate the risks of non-compliance and illicit trade.
ITSA is also contributing to discussions surrounding the forthcoming revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), drawing on lessons from existing tobacco traceability systems and international best practice.
ITSA has a longstanding presence in Brussels. The association was actively involved in the previous revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, which led to the introduction of EU-wide tobacco traceability and security feature systems in 2019.
ITSA played an important role in promoting the adoption of multi-level security features comprising overt, semi-covert and covert elements – the same layered approach already used on many secure tax stamps. As a result, EU member states that were already using tax stamps with appropriate security features were generally able to designate those stamps as the required tobacco security feature.
The DPP and TPD initiatives are closely linked. Although the DPP is initially focused on products with significant environmental impact, such as batteries, the standards and governance models developed under the initiative are expected to influence a much broader range of traceability and compliance frameworks, including those used for excisable goods control.
Government Engagement and Knowledge Sharing
Webinars and closed-door briefings for revenue authorities
ITSA runs a programme of webinars and closed-door briefings for revenue authorities and ITSA members, featuring presentations from excise experts and officials responsible for national tax stamp and traceability systems.
These sessions provide a forum for governments and industry to exchange experience on system design, procurement, implementation and enforcement – helping issuing authorities make more informed decisions and learn from programmes already in operation.
Alongside formal briefings, ITSA maintains ongoing dialogue with tax authorities and policymakers across multiple jurisdictions, providing technical input and practical guidance on request.
Also in scope – UK Vaping Products
ITSA has contributed to technology discussions in the UK, which will be launching physical tax stamps with an accompanying track and trace system on vaping products in 2026.
Recent Sessions
HM Revenue & Customs, UK
Implementation of the new physical tax stamp and track and trace system for vaping products
Topics Covered
- Tax stamp system design and procurement
- Integration of physical and digital controls
- Enforcement frameworks and field verification
- Lessons from operational programmes
Useful Links
Digital Product Passport
CEN-CENELEC standards committee for the EU Digital Product Passport
EU Tobacco Traceability & Security Features
European Commission guidance on systems for EU tobacco traceability and security features
WHO FCTC Protocol
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products
Key Publications
ITSA produces position papers and guidance documents to inform policymakers and tax stamp-issuing authorities.
The EU Digital Product Passport
ITSA's recommendations for a secure and interoperable approach.
FCTC Protocol-Compliant Blueprint
Proposal for an FCTC Protocol-compliant tobacco control system blueprint that integrates tax stamps with broader enforcement frameworks.
Secure Unique Identifiers
How to make unique identifiers for tobacco track and trace secure and independent from the tobacco industry: a standards-based approach.
EU Traceability Legal Opinion
Legal opinion by Professor d'Argent, Louvain University, Belgium, on the incompatibility of the EU tobacco traceability system with the WHO FCTC Protocol.
Get Involved
ITSA members contribute directly to the standards, policy and knowledge-sharing work described on this page. Join us to help shape the future of tax stamp and traceability systems worldwide.