Intertek Partners with National Coffee Association (NCA)

27 Feb 2007

 Intertek, a global leader in international trade management and assurance services, has signed an agreement with the National Coffee Association (NCA) to increase the safety and efficiency of US coffee importing and supply processes as part of Federal Anti-Terrorism efforts. Intertek & NCA will aid the US coffee industry in meeting the requirements of the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agency’s Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program by introducing risk control and assurance procedures in a unique, state-of-the-art online portal

C-TPAT program members are taking important steps to tighten their food importing and supply processes to ultimately reduce the risk of food and/or supplies being exposed to terrorism activity. The C-TPAT program requires all members - both industry and food manufacturers alike to account and provide evidence for:

  • The creation and approval of procedures and processes for a trade security program
  • The verification of supply base security processes and procedures
  • Continuous improvement and “sound” trade security process(es) in place
  • The ability to display to corporate management and the CBP all security efforts to date

Intertek is a leading international provider of quality, safety and global supply chain assurance services - providing management, monitoring and quality assurance services to manufacturing and food industries globally. Intertek partners with global supply chain stakeholders to advise them on best practices, solutions, and new strategies.

“Intertek is privileged to collaborate with the NCA and draw on our experience in global supply chain assurance to bring new risk controls and efficiencies to the US coffee industry,” said Paul Yao, Chief Executive for Intertek’s Consumer Goods division who will lead the NCA project initiative. “The C-TPAT program has wide ranging implications for other industries in the US and our partnership illustrates how we can help lead other industry groups to achieve more secure supply processes with their importer members and international suppliers," Mr Yao added.

"In the post-9/11 world, the threat of terrorism makes ‘business as usual’ a thing of the past, and NCA is taking the lead to help the US industry partner with government to protect our food supply effectively and efficiently,” said Robert F. Nelson, NCA President & CEO. “With this innovative internet portal, NCA will help members become part of the robust C-TPAT program that makes safety a reality for all Americans.”

The Internet Portal

Intertek will create an internet portal that will serve as a central repository of information and maintain an official registry of NCA suppliers and their security practices under C-TPAT requirements. This particular online / internet portal will provide various tools for NCA’s extensive membership under the C-TPAT program and will give subscribing importers easy access to security data on suppliers under C-TPAT guidelines. In addition, this portal will also deliver in-depth, on-line training tools and seminar programs.

The beta-version of the portal will be unveiled from March 1 2007 at the NCA’s Annual Convention in Arizona.

Intertek

Intertek, enabling quality and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries, is a leading international provider of innovative trade solutions aimed at protecting the interests of governments, associations, retailers, importers and manufacturers operating in global trade. Certified by three of the most internationally recognized food safety programmes in the world (Safe Quality Food Institute, British Retail Consortium and International Food Safety), Intertek provides independent validation that food suppliers comply with international standards and that the food has been produced, prepared and handled to the highest standards.

Intertek operates 910 offices and laboratories in more than 110 countries, providing an assortment of assurance, sustainability and technologically-driven market solutions worldwide - helping its clients to identify, control and monitor quality concerns and issues during production and before shipping. Partnership with Intertek brings increased value to customers’ products and processes, ultimately supporting their success in the global marketplace.

NCA

The National Coffee Association of the U.S.A., Inc. (NCA), established in 1911, is the leading trade organization for the coffee industry in the United States. NCA is the only trade association that serves all segments of the US coffee industry, including traditional and specialty companies. NCA provides a wide array of services, focusing on market and scientific research, domestic and international government relations, issues management, public relations, and education. The NCA’s mission is to champion the well-being of the US coffee industry within the context of the world coffee community.

ABOUT INTERTEK

Intertek is a leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries. Partnership with Intertek brings increased value to customers’ products and processes, ultimately supporting their success in the global market place. Intertek has the experience, expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through their network of 910 laboratories and offices, 17,400 people in 110 countries around the world.

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