Code Shift

The report analyzes the 2022 updates to the Harmonized System (HS), which provide more specific commodity codes for environmental goods and sensitive products. Key improvements include the separation of solar photovoltaic cells from LEDs and new codes for electronic waste. The author argues that such specificity is crucial for accurate trade statistics and the negotiation of trade agreements like the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS). The document also proposes a 'wish list' of further specifications for the 2027 HS revision, including electrolyzers, fuel cells, and electrified aircraft and ships.

• The 2022 amendments to the Harmonized System (HS) facilitate the tracking of both environmentally sensitive products and 'environmental goods' by creating specific commodity codes, which is essential because over 98% of global trade in goods is classified using the HS.
• New HS 2022 codes improve the monitoring of hazardous materials and wastes, including a new heading for "Electrical and electronic waste and scrap" (85.49) and updated subheadings for ozone-depleting substances and chemicals regulated by the Rotterdam Convention.
• The 2022 revisions resolve a long-standing data limitation by separating solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules from light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which were previously lumped together under one subheading.
• Specific new subheadings in HS 2022 target a variety of environmental goods, including solar water heaters (8419.12), catalytic converters (8421.32), mass spectrometers (9027.81), and various LED-specific luminaires and lamps.
• The report identifies several other amendments of environmental interest, such as the addition of "edible, non-living insects" (0410.10) as a low-emission protein alternative and new specifications for carbon fibres used in wind-turbine blades.
• The author proposes several specific additions for the 2027 HS revision to further support the energy transition, including dedicated codes for electrolyzers, fuel cells, ground-source heat pumps, and electric-powered aircraft and ships.

APA

Steenblik, R. P. (2020). Code Shift. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/code-shift-2022-harmonized-system.pdf

Chicago

Steenblik, Ronald P. Code Shift. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/code-shift-2022-harmonized-system.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Steenblik |first1=Ronald P. |title=Code Shift |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=May 2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/code-shift-2022-harmonized-system.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{steenblik2020code, author = {Steenblik, Ronald P.}, title = {{Code Shift}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/code-shift-2022-harmonized-system.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }