New Security Requirements for Canadian Commercial Drivers

July 25, 2006—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced its intention to issue regulations requiring drivers licensed in Canada who haul dangerous goods into the United States to have a valid FAST card as of August 10, 2006.

The governments of both Canada and the United States recognize that drivers who are not already FAST-approved will need some time to complete the FAST application process. Therefore, it is expected that U.S. authorities will exercise as much flexibility as possible under U.S. law to enforce the rollout of these regulations.

If you are a commercial driver licensed in Canada and you wish to continue hauling dangerous goods (including explosives) into and throughout the United States, you are encouraged to apply for FAST approval immediately.

The United States introduced a new Act called the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

This new U.S. Act requires that all commercial drivers seeking to transport dangerous goods (including explosives) into and throughout the United States be subjected to a background check similar to that required for commercial drivers working in the United States under the USA PATRIOT Act.

Canada and the United States have agreed that the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) commercial driver card, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), will be accepted by the U.S. government as proof that drivers registered to operate in Canada have met the new U.S. requirements.

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Sources : Canada Border Services Agency

Gov. of Canada Disappointed at Suspension of Doha Round Negotiations

The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today expressed their disappointment following World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Pascal Lamy’s announcement that the latest round of WTO negotiations—the Doha Development Agenda—has been suspended until further notice.

“Despite enormous efforts by all WTO members and 11th-hour meetings between G6 participants, the gaps in negotiating positions proved to be too large to bridge within the current time frame,” said Minister Emerson. “This is very disappointing for Canada and for all developed and developing countries, given the significant economic benefits that could have been achieved through an ambitious outcome to these negotiations.”

“Canadian agricultural producers and processors, as well as other manufacturers and service providers, would benefit from the expanded market access that the Doha Round was aiming to achieve,” he added. “We are a nation that depends heavily on international commerce, and our government will continue to focus on more liberalized trade, the rules-based multilateral trading system and the objectives behind Doha negotiations.”

Canada remains deeply committed to the WTO, the only international organization dedicated to promoting the rules of trade between countries.

“Although this is a serious setback, Canada remains committed to pursuing opportunities and seeking a fairer international trade environment for our agricultural producers and processors,” said Minister Strahl. “We will continue to advance the interests of Canada’s agriculture sector, including both supply-managed and export-oriented industries.”

Canada will continue to consult with provinces, territories and stakeholders to determine how best to pursue its trade objectives.

Canada will also continue to pursue regional and bilateral trade initiatives that serve its future commercial interests.

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Sources : Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

C–TPAT Security Best Practices

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published earlier this year a Supply Chain Security Best Practices Catalog, aimed at helping businesses who wish to conform to Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C–TPAT) requirements by helping them to identify best practices that have proven most useful in securing their supply chain. Currently, over 1 400 businesses are undergoing the C–TPAT validation process.

The CBP directory is not exhaustive, nor is it mandatory for importers or carriers aspiring to obtain “Tier-Three status.” Indeed, no company is required to implement all of the security best practices contained in it in order to conform, as the US government understands the great diversity of enterprises and the conditions under which they operate. Compliance evaluations therefore take into consideration a global view of the enterprise, the nature of its operations, an analysis of the specific risks it is exposed to, the means at its disposal, and the operational context of its commercial partners.

The document lists best practices in seventeen categories, each divided in multiple subcategories:

1) Management support.
2) Advanced data/entry level data submission.
3) Rrisk analysis.
4) Self-assessment.
5) Security planning and programme management.
6) Business partner requirements.
7) Container/trailer/ ULD security.
8) Conveyance security.
9) Cargo tracing in route.
10) Physical access control.
11) Personnel security.
12) Procedural security.
13) Security training/threat awareness/outreach.
14) Physical security.
15) Information technology security.
16) Emergency preparedness/disaster recovery.
17) Programme membership to enhance supply chain security.

Best practices are presented in random order, with the exception of the first, which is considered by CBP to be the most important, due to its observed general impact in securing the supply chain. So, for domestic enterprises, management support includes the following best practices:

• Integrating a continuous improvement philosophy.
• Engaging the vigilance of senior management.
• Holding weekly briefings by senior management.
• Establishing a supply chain security committee.
• Establishing close ties between senior management and commercial partners.
• Integrating security policies throughout the supply chain.

For multinationals, management support also includes:

• Establishing security directors and country managers.
• Establishing security councils involving senior management.
• Incorporate security notions into the corporate mission statement.

Although each of these practices is defined and explained, the document is somewhat terse and says rather little about implementation issues, leaving the readers generally wanting. Also, the seventeen groups of best practices shouldn’t be seen as absolutes of miracle solutions. Although each has its application and may contribute to an overall security increase, some may be contra-indicated for certain businesses.

It should also be noted that these best practices must be part of a sustained security effort. While the desired end goal is an improved security, such things can only be achieved through constant vigilance. And as Bruce Schneier, well known security expert, often repeats, “Security is a process, not a product” (Crypto-Gram, 2000-05-15), which the US border authorities seem to have understood.

You can read the document online at the following address: C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Best Practices Catalog

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Source : U.S. Customs and Border Protection