Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola (CCImola) announced recently that it is the first Italian ceramic tile manufacturer to be awarded the Authorized Economic Operator Full (AEOF) certificate, a certification issued by the European Union (EU) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  The AEOF certificate, a voluntary process, has important benefits in conducting business overseas, and ensures that CCImola is following specific customs procedures efficiently, complying with new security requirements, and conducting business with safety first and foremost.

“As we continue to forge stronger partnerships in the North American market, as well as across the globe, the AEOF certification is one of many steps our team at the corporate level is taking to make sure our customers’ needs are being met,” said Thomas D. Smith, president of Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola, North America. “With the AEOF certification, product makes it through customers easier and faster, resulting in more dependable lead times for the end user, ultimately having a very positive impact on our customers’ business.”

As a value-add for our customers, the AEOF Certification simplifies CCImola’s custom clearance procedure, reducing wait times and those costs associated with wait times. The certification encourages a stronger relationship with custom authorities and more efficient internal planning and risk management. In addition, as per the May 4, 2012 treaty ratified between the European Union and the U.S. (effective July 1, 2012), the AEOF certification enables mutual identification with C-TPAT, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.