Regulations
Since 9/11 safety and security have become key issues in international flows of goods. As a result a new Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) regulation has become effective in the entire European Union on January 1st, 2008. The AEO concept is one of the most important parts of the Customs Security Program the European Union has initiated. Purpose of this European safety program is bipartite. On the one hand the internal market of the European Union should be secured by control on safe international supply chains, on the other hand businesses should be facilitated in their international trade.
The AEO regulation is part of the safety paragraph in the Customs Code in which is determined that companies in international trading must inform the Customs Auhorities before import or export their goods. Companies who prove to be reliable trading partners can obtain the certificate Authorised Economic Operator. This certicate is valid within the entire European Union.
There are three different kinds of AEO certificate: safety, simplification and a combination of both. If all parties in the supply chain are AEO certified, the entire chain will become a so-called "green lane" with minimum control and delays at the borders. As of July 2009 it will be obligatory for importers and exporters to supply the departure and arrival information beforehand. As of 2008 Customs has aimed their control capacity to companies or chains who are not AEO certified. Companies who do have the AEO certificate must their care of a controlled supply chain themselves. Compliance is not legally compulsory but the implications of non-compliance will be substantial in future.