Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
108
5.1.9. Regional Single Window
The table below shows the challenges and options for a Regional Single Window (RSW)
architecture:
Table 30:Regionalisation – Challenges and Options
Challenges and options
1. Regional Standards for Cross-border Integration and Interoperability
Regional Single Window (RSW) aim for the electronic and automatic exchange of information in
real or near real time. Prior to a RSW implementation and integration, participating countries
must agree on common standards in many areas including
 IT standards and technologies: Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Architecture, XML and
UN/EDIFACT data schemas and formats, synchronous / asynchronous communication (Web
services / Message Queuing), asymmetric data encryption (public / private keys), digital
signature (system-to-system) etc.
 Semantic data standards;
 and IT Systems technical specifications and requirements.
2. Legal Framework for Cross-border Cooperation
The cross-border cooperation requires a legal framework that governs aspects of recognition and
validity of e-documents and e-signatures, data protection and privacy, as well as practical matters
and technical aspects.
This legal framework needs to be broad and general enough to cover the specificities of all
participating countries and at the same time specific enough to be applied by the countries in
their national legislation and judicial system.
The follow instruments are commonly used alone or in combination
 Regional framework conventions that cover the broader principles and requirements;
 Technical annexes that provide practical details for the implementation in specific areas; and
 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between government entities to set the terms and
principles of the cooperation.
MoUs, are frequently used to define the technical details of electronic data exchange; i.e.
definition of data set that is subject to exchange, detailed scope and usage of data and information
subjected to exchange and the messaging standards and security.
4. Managing the Political Process
Multilateral cooperation is complex and time consuming and can frustrate by its slow pace. For
example, in the case of the EU, defining the common IT architectural segments related to the
interconnectivity and the interoperability, took approximately 3 years of intensive work before
an agreement on the common procedures, standards and architecture could be reached.