Decision No 1/2010 of the Joint Customs Cooperation Committee of 24 June 2010 pursuant to Article 21 of the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Japan on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters regarding mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operators programmes in the European Union and in Japan (2010/637/EU)

THE JOINT CUSTOMS COOPERATION COMMITTEE (hereinafter referred to as ‘the JCCC’),

Having regard to the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Japan on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, signed on 30 January 2008 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the CCMAAA’), and in particular Article 21 thereof,

Considering that a joint evaluation has confirmed that Authorised Economic Operators (hereinafter referred to as ‘AEO’) programmes in the European Union (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Union’) and in Japan are security and compliance initiatives and has revealed that their qualification standards for membership are compatible and lead to equivalent results,

Considering that the programmes apply internationally recognised security standards advocated by the SAFE Framework of Standards adopted by the World Customs Organisation (hereinafter referred to as ‘the SAFE Framework’),

Acknowledging the special nature of the legislation and management of each programme,

Considering that, in accordance with the CCMAAA, the Union and Japan are to develop customs cooperation to facilitate trade and that customs security and safety, and facilitation of the international trade supply chain, can be significantly enhanced by mutual recognition of their AEO programmes, and

Considering that mutual recognition allows the Union and Japan to provide facilitative benefits to operators who have invested in supply chain security and have been certified by their AEO programmes,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: