CBP Posts U.S.-EU "Roadmap" for Achieving C-TPAT and AEO Mutual Recognition
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an abridged external partner version of the U.S.-European Union roadmap towards Mutual Recognition1 of trade partnership programs (CBP's C-TPAT and EU's AEO).
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(In 2006, the U.S. and the EU agreed to assess the feasibility of establishing Mutual Recognition of CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the EU's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) supply chain security programs. In 2007, the U.S. and EU adopted a Framework for advancing transatlantic economic integration and began efforts to implement Mutual Recognition.
The initial steps consisted of completing an in-depth comparison of C-TPAT and EU's AEO, as well as conducting a pilot program in which CBP observed security components of EU's AEO audit process. Based on the conclusions drawn from these U.S.-EU efforts, a roadmap towards Mutual Recognition was drafted and endorsed setting performance-based stages required to reach Mutual Recognition.)
U.S. and EU Aim to Achieve Mutual Recognition in 2009
CBP and EU's Taxation and Customs Union Directorate (TAXUD) will continue their efforts to achieve the Mutual Recognition of their respective programs in 2009 by concentrating on addressing the roadmap tasks outlined (partial list):
| During the pilot project, CBP experts participated in AEO audits conducted within various Member States, which concluded with a Customs-Customs discussion and exchange of best practices. EU officers are occasionally invited to participate in C-TPAT validation visits taking place within the EU by participating companies. |
1Mutual Recognition allows the companies of one supply chain security program to receive benefits identical or comparable to those conferred to companies participating in another supply chain security program.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/21/08 news, 08082120, for BP summary of CBP officials discussing mutual recognition at the August 2008 COAC meeting.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/31/08 news, 08033105, for BP summary of the U.S. and EU adopting a roadmap for achieving Mutual Recognition in 2009.
See ITT's Online Archives or 01/11/08 news, 08011115, for BP summary of the EU's January 1, 2008 implementation of its AEO program.)
Roadmap (posted 02/13/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/border_security/international_operations/partnerships/recog_roadmap.ctt/recog_roadmap.pdf