Division 7 Implementing entity and Union visibility

CAR embeds small field investigation teams within local defence and security forces, peacekeeping/peace support personnel, and other actors with security mandates. Whenever these forces/missions secure illicit arms or evidence-collection sites, CAR's teams recover all available evidence on them and their user groups. CAR then proceeds to trace all uniquely identifiable items and conducts long-range investigations into their illicit transfers, the supply chains, and support to parties that threaten peace and stability.

Working with national export licensing authorities, CAR reconstructs the supply chains that are responsible for delivering arms into armed conflicts, identifying illicit activity and the diversion of arms from legal to illicit markets. CAR records the gathered information on its iTrace global arms monitoring system, which with more than 500,000 conflict weapons, ammunition, and related materiel, is the largest repository for conflict arms data worldwide.

CAR uses this information to: a) alert Member States to the diversion of conventional arms and their ammunition; and b) enable targeted counter-diversion initiatives, including revised export control measures and international diplomatic action.

This methodology is proven to detect diversion almost immediately, with CAR field teams having advised Member States of diverted weapons whilst still deployed in conflict‐affected areas, for example while on the ground in Mosul, Iraq. In some cases, CAR's teams have discovered unauthorised retransfers within two months of weapons having left the factory door.

Decision (CFSP) 2017/2283 supports CAR in continuing and augmenting the iTrace project established by Decision 2013/698/CFSP and renewed by Decision (CFSP) 2015/1908. The projects, referred to as iTrace I, II, and III, respectively, have firmly established iTrace as a significant conflict weapon monitoring initiative worldwide and provided direct support to EU export licensing authorities and arms control policy makers.

Furthermore, on 2 December 2015, the EU action plan against illicit trafficking in and use of firearms and explosives called for 'extending the use of iTrace' and recommended that any national law enforcement authority detecting the diversion of weapons and ammunition check findings against records in iTrace. In 2019, CAR concluded a memorandum of understanding with Europol to assist in these activities. CAR has, furthermore, provided iTrace data to Interpol's iARMS system and assisted Interpol in identifying weapons uploaded into iARMS by Member States.

CAR will take all appropriate measures to publicise the fact that the Action has been funded by the Union. Such measures will be carried out in accordance with the Communication and Visibility Manual for European Union External Actions laid down and published by the European Commission.

CAR will thus ensure the visibility of the Union contribution with appropriate branding and publicity, highlighting the role of the Union, ensuring the transparency of its actions, and raising awareness of the reasons for this Decision, as well as Union support for this Decision and the results of this support. Material produced by the project will prominently display the Union flag in accordance with Union guidelines for the accurate use and reproduction of the flag.