What is AEO?
AEO is the European response to the effects on the supply chain after the attacks in America on September 11, 2001. One of the consequences of that attack was the need for America to exert greater control over incoming goods. From the US side, initiatives were developed to guarantee safety. This is how the C-TPAT was developed. This is a safety program developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
The name C-TPAT is the abbreviation for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. In this way, they tried to ensure safety in the supply chain. Because this only took into account US interests, the implementation of C-TPAT had consequences for Europe. One of the consequences was the delay in the delivery of goods from countries outside the United States, including Europe.
Europe had no interest in such delays and wanted to achieve a smooth flow of goods without losing sight of the security of the supply chain. As a result, Europe came up with an answer to the American C-TPAT: the AEO status. This development also led to the AEO certificate. The AEO status has now become a comprehensive certification, which is not just about trade with America.
What does the AEO status mean?
In simple terms, an AEO certificate is a collaboration with Customs. This is because, just like Customs, your company or organization is responsible for the safety of the incoming and/or outgoing goods. The AEO certificate ensures improved supply chain security because only companies that operate safely are connected to this chain. This certificate is therefore not a formality, but is surrounded by many strict requirements to ensure its quality. A company that wants to be certified must have an exceptionally good reputation and must be financially solid. These are just two of the eligibility requirements for the AEO certificate.
Only companies operating internationally can normally apply for AEO certification. The application will be processed by Customs. If a company or organization has a valid AEO certificate, this offers many advantages. However, the entire certification procedure is complex and the applicant will have to meet numerous requirements before certification is a fact.
Read more about AEO
Managing and monitoring AEO
Management System
Why a digital management system for AEO?
Many organizations have already switched from a âhandbook in the closetâ to an environment such as SharePoint or a Document Management System to also be able to view their documentation remotely.
But then these questions and sources of stress linger:
- How can staff easily understand compliance with customs legislation?
- What procedures are set up for processing goods?
- Why can't I easily do my registrations?
- How do I get an overview of pending tasks?
- How do I safeguard and share new processes in the organization?
- How do I really understand which processes need to be tackled structurally differently?
- How do I inform and convince my colleagues of the usefulness of certain processes?
- How do I make it easier for everyone to work according to all our certifications?
ISO2 HANDLE
Why ISO2HANDLE's management system?
because ISO2 HANDLE tracks, chases and maps everything for you, giving you control and overview and continuously managing the certification in the background.
Our platform helps with all the activities associated with obtaining and maintaining certifications, in all phases from implementation to optimization:
Deploy:
- âUse our AEO template and customize with the drag & drop editor
- Personalize forms
- Apply workflow schedules so that registrations are automatically forwarded to the right colleague
Adopt:
- Handbook and forms are also accessible via mobile
- Automatic task management keeps track of all pending actions in a clear dashboard
Monitors:
- Dashboards in the blink of an eye with trend & cost analysis
- Track your KPIs
Optimization & Audits:
- Access for Certification Authorities; decide the components and time limit yourself
- Download and share dashboards and reports
Consultancy firms
Partner network of organizational consulting firms
ISO2 HANDLE works for a large number of certification advice agencies in the Netherlands, each with their own expertise and focus. A consultancy firm helps with the customized implementation and provides substantive advice on how the processes surrounding certification seamlessly fit with your organization and way of working. They can also help switch from your current system to ISO2 HANDLE.
