This past January at the World Economic Forum, the US Secretary
of the Department of Homeland Security presented a “National Strategy for
Supply Chain Security” signed by President Barack Obama. The report enlists the
cooperation of other nations and industry leaders to come together and submit
thoughts and recommendations on such matters as methods to share information,
streamline processes and synchronize standards and procedures. The strategy
applies to all cargo goods entering the US and also US action to strengthen the
security provided in other countries.
This presentation came after the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) deadline of Dec. 31, 2011 to screen 100% all cargo from
US-bound passenger aircraft was put on hold. No explanation was given for the delay
but according to people within TSA, the mandate is expected to be in operation
by December of this year. Currently the TSA believes 80% to 90% of all cargo on
US-bound passenger planes is screened.
Perhaps among the reasons for the 100% cargo screening delay
was the shift in strategy towards a risk-based intelligence-driven methodology
for overall security efforts. This may also have been one of the main drivers
for the “National Strategy for Supply Chain Security” presentation.
In keeping with the presentation’s recommendations, the US
has finalized cargo security agreements with Finland, France, Ireland, the
Netherlands and the UK. Although the
Association of European Airlines Association (AEA) positively acknowledged these
individual country agreements, the secretary general of the AEA said that these
should be seen as a “concrete foundation towards a final goal of a single
comprehensive deal between the US and EU as a whole.” The secretary general
continues, “We are calling on US regulators to accept Europe’s robust security
standards as equal to their own. This will simplify the processes for airlines
and remove unnecessary duplication. Once we have a critical build-up of US
approvals, an EU-wide deal will be a simple next step.”
Currently, European airlines have to abide by European air
cargo security rules as well as US rules once the airlines enter US territory.
It would indeed be practical, if it is not being done already, for the US to
establish a dialog with the AEA to compare best practices and then follow the
association’s advice and then seek an EU-wide deal rather to seek agreements
with individual EU members.
