Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Homeland Security Begins Work on Container Security Standards

(Logistics Today)

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) to develop performance standards – requirements that must be met by products to ensure they will function as intended – for container security technologies. CBP, which is responsible for container security, is constantly on the lookout for cargo containers that are being used to transport unlawful cargo, including weapons of mass destruction, illicit arms, stowaways, and illegal narcotics into the United States.

After successful completion of testing, S&T plans to deliver performance standards to DHS’s Office of Policy Development and CBP. DHS has conducted research and development for four container security technology projects, but has not yet developed performance standards for them. Read more here.