An Air cargo agency agreement was signed on the first day in December 1990 between Eurofrance Ltd., now EFL International Distribution Ltd., and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) based in Geneva, Switzerland.

EFL International conform to the agreement and the rules associated with a body entrusted with important issues relating to safe transport by air.

International Air Transport Association Priorities for 2000

• Implement new Membership entrance criteria based on operational quality standards
• Implement Safety Trend Evaluation Analysis and Data Exchange Service (STEADES)
• Develop comprehensive IATA-wide airline safety plan
• Develop and secure support for industry positions on new aircraft noise and emission standards
• Launch Cargo 2000 initiative
• Ensure IATA standards, products and services keep pace with the evolution of electronic commerce
• Maintain necessary exemptions for industry co-operative activity

Further Information:
IATA – International Air Transport Association

The Irish International Freight Association is the authoritative voice of the freight forwarding industry in Ireland, it was established in 1962 and has a membership that accounts for 90% of Freight Forwarders in Ireland and is increasing all the time.

The Association is the national member of FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations. It is a founder member of the Irish Coalition of Service Industries, and a trade member of the Customs Consultative Committee, set up by the Irish Revenue Commissioners as a trade/customs consultative body. Membership of those and other organisations enables the Association to raise matters of national concern at both national, European and international levels.

Through its various committees and its Chief Executive, the Association maintains direct lines of communication with Government departments, Customs & Excise, Airlines, Shipping Lines, Airports and Harbour Authorities, with a view to keeping the membership fully informed on changes that will affect the running of their business.

Further Information:
IIFA – Irish International Freight Association

AEO status is a certified standard authorisation issued by customs administrations in the European Union (EU). It certifies that a business has met certain standards in relation to:

• safety and security
• systems to manage commercial records
• compliance with customs rules
• financial solvency
• practical standards of competence or professional qualifications.

This is primarily a trade facilitation measure that recognises reliable operators and encourages best practice in the international supply chain. As an AEO, the benefits are:

• recognition worldwide as safe, secure and compliant business partners in international trade
• lower risk scores in risk analysis systems when profiling
• priority treatment if physical controls are conducted
• mutual recognition of AEO programmes under Joint Customs Cooperation Agreements which could result in faster movement of goods through third country borders