U.S.-EU Agree on Global Supply Chain Security Joint Actions

The following are highlights of the joint statement:

Security Policies Should be Risk-Based, Cost-Effective, Facilitate Operations

The EU and U.S. share the view that national supply-chain security policies will be ineffective unless they are supported by enhanced international cooperation to guarantee their coherence, compatibility and cost effectiveness. Security policies should be risk-based, cost-effective, and should facilitate as well as secure transport operations.

Areas for Possible Joint Action Include Pre-Departure Info, Global Standards, Etc.

The joint statement identifies the following areas for possible joint action between the U.S. and the EU (partial list):

• Air cargo pre-departure info requirements - Promote, in concert with the business sector, the establishment of robust global pre-departure information requirements for air cargo that will allow the sending and receiving parties to conduct targeting and resolve concerns in cooperation with each other prior to loading. The EU and U.S. support work in the WCO on ensuring and improving pre-departure information for all cargo under the SAFE Framework of standards¹. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/09/11 and 12/16/10 news, 11060904 and 10121628, for BP summaries of the U.S. starting an air cargo security forwarder pilot program and the EU's pre-departure cargo information submission requirements becoming mandatory as of January 2011.)
• Common definitions, practices for high-risk cargo - Support work in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and WCO to develop common definitions for high-risk cargo as well as standards and recommended practices in the handling of cargo deemed high-risk.
• Mutual recognition of security controls - Seek mutual recognition of seaport, airport and customs security measures and controls to facilitate the efficient flow of commerce and focus resources on the highest risk.
• Container Security Initiative - Examine the future of the Container Security Initiative in the EU, considering the respective roles of U.S. and EU Member States customs.
• Mutual recognition of AEO, C-TPAT - Implement the mutual recognition of the EU's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and U.S.' Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) trade partnership programs by the end October 2011, contingent upon the completion of the agreed steps and work program. Joint action could also include implementation of global guidelines under the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards for AEO programs and mutual recognition, and exploring opportunities for a global identification number for mutual recognition purposes. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/22/11 news, 11062208, for BP summary of the EU discussing AEO and C-TPAT mutual recognition, and other customs-related issues.)
• Support WCO coordinated border efforts - Support WCO efforts to further develop and refine Coordinated Border Management within the SAFE Framework of Standards, or similar efforts to enhance and highlight the need for increased collaboration between customs and other government authorities. Joint action could also include supporting International Maritime Organization (IMO) efforts to help in the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/25/04 news, 04062505, for BP summary of DHS implementing the ISPS Code.)
• Compare customs-oriented programs - Support efforts underway within WCO and ICAO to compare customs-oriented programs in the SAFE Framework to aviation security-oriented programs in ICAO's Annex 17, and take advantage of lessons learned from domestic efforts to streamline the private-public partnership programs.
• Extend dialogue on technology - Extend and intensify the bilateral dialogue and cooperation on technology (including R&D, sharing best practices, opportunities for common certification practices, and contribution to setting of international standards).
• Build a resilient system - Refine and expand resiliency protocols within the IMO, ICAO, and WCO, to include developing guidelines that are applicable to air, land, and sea modes to ensure the supply chain system's ability to minimize and bounce back from any possible disruptions. See ITT's Online Archives or 01/07/11 news, 11010714, for BP summary of DHS announcing it will work with the WCO, IMO, and ICAO on trade resumption planning to secure supply chain infrastructure.)

¹In 2005 the WCO adopted the SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, to strengthen end-to-end supply chain security through enhanced customs-to-customs networking and formal partnerships with trade.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/31/11 news, 11013141, for BP summary of DHS stating that it will complete negotiations with the EU on strengthening information sharing in the aviation environment to secure the global supply chain.

See ITT's Online Archives or 03/21/11 news, 11032129, for BP summary of the WCO and ICAO announcing they will work to reduce the impact of security measures on the air cargo supply chain.)