2008
The Irish Exporters Association congratulate the four exporting companies who today (28th Nov) were presented with their AEO certificates by Revenue Commissioners chairman Josephine Feehily.
These are the first Irish companies to be awarded the AEO status and are;
· Irish Express Cargo Ltd., Limerick,
· Medtronic Vascular Galway Ltd.,
· Medtronic Ireland Manufacturing Ltd., and
· Organon Ireland Ltd.
These are leading edge companies that reflect the broad range of industries operating in Ireland today. They have met the challenging criteria laid down under the programme and are now recognised as safe and secure partners in international trade and will benefit in the future from mutual recognition agreements concluded with third countries.
John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association speaking after the awards ceremony stated;
“In these difficult times for the export industry, it is critical that exporters continue to offer efficient and secure supply chain, out of Ireland into international markets. The companies, who have received their AEO status certificates today, recognize that the AEO status is a competitive factor in today’s world, when negotiating with their customers and trade partners.”
He went on to say;
“I commend the companies who have received their AEO certificates today, and the IEA will continue to offer support services to all exporters large and small who wish to apply for and take advantage of the AEO status.’’
He concluded by saying;
‘’The Revenue Customs division have done a tremendous job in facilitating the early AEO entrants and we look forward to working with them to promote more use of the AEO system in the future .’’
About the AEO Designation
The AEO is an EU wide programme for compliant and credible traders who meet certain standards and have adequate safety and security procedures in place. Having acquired AEO status, traders will be given specific benefits that designed to counterbalance the potentially negative effect of trade security initiatives introduced in the aftermath of "9/11".
AEO status is attributed according to uniform criteria in all 27 Member States of the European Community. The long-term intention is that, under mutual recognition agreements, an AEO in the EU may be recognised and given benefits in up to 166 countries worldwide.
The EU Commission has already begun mutual recognition negotiations with the US, which introduced its own trader certification programme (C-TPAT) very soon after “9/11”. The EU expects to conclude these negotiations sometime next year and this should result in Irish AEOs receiving preferential treatment when clearing their goods through US customs.
The AEO programme is primarily a trade facilitation measure. Operators established in the EU, which meet specific qualifying criteria, may apply for and receive AEO certification.
The aim of the AEO programme is to enhance security through granting recognition to reliable traders and encouraging best practice at all levels in the international supply chain. When all parts of recent EU security measures are introduced, traders will face a number of additional burdens, such as a requirement to provide data to Customs in advance of the movement of goods. The AEO Programme seeks to identify trusted members of the global supply chain and, where possible, to limit any adverse impact from these new initiatives. Internationally, all of the major trading nations have begun to introduce similar security measures and the AEO concept, through mutual recognition, will eventually be extended worldwide.
The status of AEO is open to all operators involved in activities covered by Customs legislation, and who meet the required standards in relation to their general compliance record, logistical and control systems, financial solvency and security and safety systems. It is intended that operators having AEO status will be recognised worldwide as safe, secure and compliant business partners in international trade and will be given a lower risk score in risk analysis profiling systems.
END
For more information please contact:
Mr. John Whelan, CEO: 087-9271243
 |
 |
