2.V.4. Cargo security

In order to ensure cargo integrity and prevent irregular practices in the flow of goods in the international supply chain, the applicant must have established "measures for the handling of goods that guarantee protection against unauthorized introduction of goods, their exchange or manipulation, as well as protection against alteration of cargo units."

Where appropriate to the company concerned, such measures shall include:

• the integrity of the cargo units [including the use of seals and seven-point inspection (exterior, interior and exterior doors, right and left side, front, ceiling and roof, floor and interior)];
• logistics processes (including the choice of freight forwarder and means of transport);
• incoming goods (including quality and quantity checks and seals, where applicable);
• storage of goods (including stock controls);
• the production of goods (including quality inspections);
• the packaging of the goods (including the information shown on the packaging);
• the loading of goods (including quality and quantity checking and sealing and marking operations).

Where appropriate and feasible, the above measures shall be documented and recorded.

Again, in this case, violations of cargo or cargo unit integrity must be recognized at the earliest possible stage, reported to the designated security department or personnel, investigated, and recorded so that appropriate response measures can be taken. In this regard, it is equally essential that the responsibilities and competencies between the units and the parties involved are clearly described and known.

As already mentioned in point 2.V.2 of these Guidelines, cargo security is inseparable from building security and access controls, since the ultimate objective of security and protection measures is to secure the goods by preventing, in particular, unauthorized access to the cargo (dispatch and loading areas).

Furthermore, when assessing this condition, it is of utmost importance to take into account the specific characteristics of SMEs. By way of example:

• Locked gates and doors, appropriate signs and instructions may be sufficient to limit access to authorized personnel and restricted areas (such instructions may be incorporated into the applicant's general safety and security procedures).
• To prevent unauthorized access to manufacturing areas, shipping areas, docks, other loading areas, and offices, visitors may be routinely escorted by designated personnel throughout the facility and must sign a log at the entrance.

Finally, cargo security is equally inseparable from the security of trading partners, as when cargo units enter the supply chain, they are often subject to the responsibility of those partners.