With the goal of increasing the security of goods, the Supplier Compliance Audit Network (SCAN) seeks to have Mexican importing companies and transporters become part of the association.
In an interview with T21, Carlos Ochoa, executive director of SCAN, explained that it is of great importance for importers in Mexico to be members of the organization, since, like the Americans, they are moving a lot of merchandise from China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam or Brazil .
“The purpose is to help importers maintain their CTPAT certification, to protect their brand . No serious company operating globally, receiving and sending goods from one country to another, wants to see its business compromised by a bomb, uranium, or a group of terrorists hidden in a container, because that would have incredibly negative consequences. So, we want to prevent the container from becoming a Trojan horse,” he explained.
He specified that so far there are no Mexican companies within the association; however, the internal statutes were updated so that firms from the country that are AEO or CTPAT certified can be part of SCAN .
“We have opened membership to factories in Mexico and to importers. We know they are bringing merchandise from the same factories as those in the United States; these are very large factories that produce textiles, toys, and electronics for the entire world. The merchandise they send from Asia to the United States is already more or less insured, but what visibility does the importer in Mexico have to ensure that they are complying with the program’s security criteria?” he stated.
Given the changes, such as customs requirements and those being implemented by the United States and the European Union, “Mexico must keep pace with the rest of the world’s leading economic powers; it has the opportunity to become a SCAN member. They will be speaking with U.S. importers, participating in working groups, committees, conferences, and so on. Therefore, it is time for the business sector, for Mexican importers, to take that step. Ultimately, what we want is a North American-level security framework.”
Similarly, he said that belonging to the organization would help increase investor confidence in Mexico compared to countries like those in Asia .
Regarding the incorporation of carriers into this association, he explained that it is a program in which they would also be audited and that they could eventually also become members of SCAN.
“Now we are ensuring that the container leaves the factory secure. It wasn’t compromised before it was filled; it was filled, the seal was applied, and a seven-point expansion was carried out. The factory is compliant with cybersecurity, personal, physical, and access controls, but now we want those who move this container to also be audited, also be insured, and be monitored,” he emphasized.
This measure would be applied because, according to industry sources, 85% of contamination occurs when a container leaves the factory .
“That’s the challenge of global trade. So, we also need to work with land carriers, shipping lines, and ensure that movement through the ports, eventually. We want the carrier to be in compliance with CTPAT, AEO, and SCAN requirements when that container leaves Monterrey for Laredo,” he explained.
Ochoa added that this program would be implemented in countries with mutual recognition agreements with the United States. In Mexico, it is expected to begin at the end of next year; meanwhile, they will begin reaching out to associations such as the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) .
SCAN conducts audits under the security criteria of CTPAT and AEO, as well as the World Customs Organization (WCO) , to keep global trade safe and ensure they do not lose their certification.
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