What is AEO?

The threat of International terrorism has made the protection of the global supply chain a major priority for business and government. To meet the requirements of HMRC, Senate have developed a security training qualification which has international currency and a programme which provides a security footprint to tackle terrorism, counterfeiting and fraud.

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has encouraged all its members to adopt supply chain security measures in its ‘Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade’ known as the ‘Safe Framework’. Countries which are members of the WCO account for approximately 99% of global trade.

In accordance with the WCO guidelines, The European Parliament in 2008 adopted the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) accreditation scheme to enhance security controls across the international supply chain through cooperation with world trading partners. All businesses that own or move goods through the international supply chain are affected. This includes manufacturers, agents, warehouses and logistics companies.