Under the European Union scheme, which it is thought will ultimately be adopted outside the EU, AEO certificates are issued for either Customs simplifications or security and safety. Toll has been accredited in both categories.

AEO status is intended to offer participants a number of benefits such as reduced incidence of theft and loss in transit, improved security and enhanced communication with other elements of the supply chain. By providing businesses with a universally recognized quality standard, AEO status is also intended to foster greater customer confidence. In the longer term, access to certain simplifications in Customs procedures, such as guarantee waivers and centralized clearance, may be restricted to AEOs.

Panalpina’s airfreight hub in Luxembourg has been awarded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Good Distribution Practice certification by inspection company SGS.

The award forms part of an extensive program by the logistics provider to ensure compliance of its global operations with the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry.

Panalpina’s airfreight division is among the first to offer a certified global industry standard at an international airport. The company has installed its Ambient Systems measuring and monitoring system in Luxembourg and has aligned all operational processes with Good Distribution Practice standards, based on WHO guidelines. The company now grants its healthcare customers access to numerous destinations in the US, Latin America, Africa and Asia, where it aims to demonstrate supply chain integrity at cool and ambient temperatures.

Daniel Lutz, head of own controlled operations and project manager at Luxembourg, said certification was "a very important step in developing our hub further to comply with the healthcare industry's requirements. Compliance will remain key to satisfying customers' needs today and tomorrow."