On January 18, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a press release announcing that a Joint Work Plan was signed with Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT), which lays out the process for Mutual Recognition of the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and the SAT's New Certified Companies Scheme (NEEC).

The press release explains that "The Joint Work Plan lays out the path forward to mutual recognition between the two programs. Mutual recognition allows for companies enrolled in one program to receive reciprocal benefits from the other with the result of both further securing the international supply chain and facilitating trade between the United States and Mexico."

According to CBP, the scheduled implementation date for the mutual recognition would be in two years. More information will be reported as it becomes available.

The Press Release can be accessed online here.