The AEO programme emerged as a response to the US CTPAT programme.
In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the US government established the CTPAT initiative to ensure that companies engaged in international trade oversee the goods entering the US, preventing the misuse of international trade for terrorism and illegal activities.
The EU and several WTO countries introduced a corresponding programme to achieve the mutual acknowledgment of benefits.
In 2006, European legislation (1875/2006) was approved, which became effective in 2008.
At present, several countries including Japan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland and Jordan are in the process of implementing the SAFE programme, which encompasses AEOs.
To this day, the EU has established mutual recognition agreements with the United States, China, Japan, Switzerland and Norway.
