A revised version of the SAFE Framework was issued in June 2015 that includes a new pillar 3, “Customs-to-other government and inter government agencies”, aiming to foster closer cooperation between customs administrations and other government agencies involved in the international trade supply chain (WCO, 2015a). Pillar 3 foresees cooperation at three levels: cooperation within a Government; cooperation between and among Governments; and multinational cooperation. Standards for each of these areas have been developed to promote such cooperation through a multi-tiered approach. A number of tools have been developed by WCO that support this pillar, notably the Compendiums on Coordinated
Border Management and Single Window, which are continually updated. Another important aspect of
this SAFE version is the incorporation of standards for “pre-loading advance cargo information” in
respect of air cargo to carry out a first layer of security risk analysis together with civil aviation authorities. It also includes definitions of “container” and “risk management”. Furthermore, the instruments and tools related to risk management mentioned in technical specifications of standards 4 and 7 of pillar 1 and other relevant sections have been updated in view of the development of the WCO
Risk Management Compendium, volumes 1 and 2. An important feature of the SAFE Framework, AEOs61 are private parties that have been accredited by national customs administrations as compliant with WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards. AEOs have to meet special requirements in respect of physical security of premises, hidden camera surveillance and selective staffing and recruitment policies. In return, AEOs are to be rewarded by way of trade-facilitation benefits, such as faster clearance of goods and fewer physical inspections. In recent years, a number of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) of respective AEOs have been adopted by customs administrations, usually on a bilateral basis.62 However, it is hoped that these bilateral agreements will, in due course, form the basis for multilateral agreements at the subregional and regional levels. As of June 2015, 37 AEO programmes had been established in 64 countries63 and a further 16 countries plan to establish them in the near future.64 Capacity-building assistance remains a vital part of the SAFE implementation strategy. During 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, AEO workshops under the WCO Columbus Programmer, or under specific financial support, were organized in a number of countries.65