On July 26, 2018, the World Customs Organization (WCO) published the 2018 edition of the SAFE Framework of Standards, following the June adoption by the WCO’s highest decision-making body.
According to the WCO, the Framework provides international standards to secure and facilitate global trade, and is updated every three years to keep it relevant. The 2018 version strengthens the objective of cooperation between Customs administrations through:
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The exchange of information;
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Mutual recognition of controls;
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Mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs);
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Mutual administrative assistance.
Included in the latest version is a comprehensive list of AEO benefits.
WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya said, “All WCO Members and stakeholders should deepen the implementation of the SAFE Framework and its associated tools in an effective and harmonized manner to further strengthen supply chain security and facilitation, by leveraging the collective lessons learned thus far and the new opportunities outlined in the 2018 edition of the Framework.”
The WCO press release may be found here:
The 2018 edition of the SAFE Framework of Standards may be found here:
