How Impact Group’s CTPAT Certification Helps Make the World Safer

1. How Impact Group’s CTPAT Certification Helps Make the World Safer To optimize the effectiveness of their role as a leading grocery broker - not to mention make the world a safer place—Impact Group is a member of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), a voluntary supply- chain security initiative. CTPAT was founded in November 2001, in response to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York City. There were seven original participants; today, there are over 11,400 certified partners, and those partners bring in over half of the goods imported to the U.S. Joining the CTPAT coalition reduces the risk of global terrorism and makes U.S. citizens safer. It also increases the efficiency and profits of and for Impact Group’s clients. How Impact Group Became a Member of CTPAT Membership in CTPAT is, as mentioned, voluntary rather than mandatory. It’s a partnership between private business entities like Impact Group and the U.S. government, specifically, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

2. For their part, Impact Group agrees to work with CBP to examine their supply chains. And as one of the nation’s leading grocery brokers, that’s a lot of products to examine. With CBP support and resources they identify possible security gaps in those supply chains and patch them. Doing so requires implementing specified security measures and participating in security best practices. As part of their effort to do so, Impact Group insists on a documented record of quality assurance for every one of their products. They also insist upon their global partners meeting GFSI/ISO certification. For a CPG broker, that can be a considerable undertaking, but it’s worth it for the contribution to safety internationally and the benefit to their clients. Benefits of CTPAT for Impact Group’s Partners While being a CTPAT member contributes to global safety, that diligence is accompanied by some practical benefits. To ensure that those CTPAT members’ security precautions are facilitated and maintained as efficiently and effectively as possible, a Supply Chain Security Specialist is assigned to every partner. Members also have access to the online CTPAT library of safety training resources to further reduce vulnerability and mitigate risk. CTPAT partners also have access to an expedited border-crossing and customs examination process. Membership reduces those examinations and facilitates a front-of-the-line inspection schedule. That, of course, means less downtime waiting at the border for any Impact Group partner. Additionally, not only do CTPAT members have access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at either U.S. land border, they also receive eligibility for peripheral pilot programs like the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Secure Supply Chain program. For a fresh food broker, being fast-tracked by the FDA would obviously be hugely beneficial. Gain a partner with commitments to security and optimizing their clients’ profits, at https://www.impactgrp.com/