The AEO program recognizes that Vectron's German facilities have procedures and policies in place to comply with the comprehensive EU Customs requirements and the necessary discipline for security of EU and global logistics supply chain. The on-site audit for the AEO program was completed at Vectron's Teltow and Neckarbischofsheim facilities in July 2013.
Established in 2001, C-TPAT is the first worldwide initiative in which participating organizations fully cooperate with U.S. Customs to establish acceptable security practices throughout their entire supplychain operations. Eligible companies must submit a detailed application and conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of their supply chain security procedures using the C-TPAT guidelines developed by the CBP and the community for each specific trade category. Subsequently, an on-site validation audit is conducted by the C-TPAT team to verify that all the required security initiatives are in place and have been implemented effectively. Vectron completed their initial C-TPAT certification in 2009 and re-validated the certification in 2012.
"Obtaining both the EU AEO and the U.S. C-TPAT certification validates that our internal management processes and facilities are efficient, secure and compliant," said Ram Arvikar, Director Global Quality & Compliance, Vectron International. "Completing the stringent processes to achieve the EU and the U.S. certification demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing customers with not only the industry's most innovative solutions but also the highest quality service and security measures available."
Both the AEO and C-TPAT programs are voluntary supply chain security initiatives led by the EU and the U.S. Customs Organizations focused on improving the security of private companies' supply chains with respect to terrorism. These programs recognize that Customs can provide the highest level of security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the supply chain— importers, carriers, brokers, warehouse operators and manufacturers. Through this initiative, Customs invites businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate their security guidelines to their business partners within the supply chain.
For more information regarding C-TPAT and the AEO security initiatives, please visit www.cbp.gov. or http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/policy_issues/customs_security/aeo. For more information on Vectron or any of its products, please contact a customer service representative at 1-88-VECTRON-1 or visit www.vectron.com.