AEO - Customs simplifications & security
AEO stands for "Authorized Economic Operator" and is a certificate that can be issued by customs to companies that operate internationally. Companies that are AEO-certified enjoy a number of advantages that non-certified companies do not have. For example, companies with AEO status are subject to less stringent controls in cross-border trade, which speeds up transit.
An AEO certificate is essentially proof that certain (customs) processes within an organization are well organized and regulated. The organization must meet certain security criteria, such as financial health, freedom from fraud, and accurate and transparent goods administration, in order to be eligible for the certificate. An AEO certificate is essentially proof that a company is reliable and secure. Although the certificate is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for organizations that deal with customs clearance. For these reasons, many organizations choose to work only with an AEO-certified partner.
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management system
As cross-border trade increased, the industry demanded similar standards that organizations must comply with. ISO 9001 was developed for this purpose, requiring a company's management to demonstrate that it is actively engaged in quality management and has its business processes under control. This involves:
- Knowing what the company's customers expect and demand;
- Providing sufficient resources to meet these requirements;
- Delivering the service or product in the agreed manner;
- Continuously checking whether the requirements are being met and implementing improvements where necessary and possible.
Put simply, this means: say what you do, do what you say, and prove it.
ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental management (only at HST International BV)
After the development of the standard in the field of quality management, more and more companies wanted to make their business operations (more) environmentally friendly. ISO 14001 was created to measure and assess this desire. ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that specifies what a competent environmental management system must comply with. The most important points are:
- Complying with laws and regulations and controlling environmental risks;
- Structural monitoring of waste streams, raw materials used, energy, emissions, and other environmental aspects;
- Striving for continuous improvement of the organization's environmental performance.
Preferably, the environmental management system should be linked to the quality management system (ISO 9001) or form part of it.
HACCP
The HACCP certificate indicates that an organization handles food safely and hygienically by means of a hazard analysis and critical control points. The certificate can be awarded to companies involved in the preparation and processing of food, but also to companies that handle, package, transport, and distribute food. The starting point here is always to minimize the potential risks of contamination. In logistics, HACCP means that the certified carrier transports food and similar products safely, taking into account, for example, the temperature of the products in order to keep them fresh, hygienic, and safe.
Lean and Green
In addition to ISO 14001, which also focuses on sustainability, HST Group also holds the "Lean and Green Award and Star." This award and star are for the development and implementation of green initiatives such as reducing CO2 emissions by at least 20%. Read more about our sustainable initiatives, such as intermodal transport, new driving techniques, and transport networks.
Safety first
The above certificates are all intended to promote the safety, reliability, and integrity of an organization. In addition, it is of course important that, for example, health and safety regulations are complied with. Furthermore, there are personal certificates and diplomas that certain employees must possess, depending on their work. Examples include an ADR certificate for the safe handling of hazardous substances and a forklift certificate for safety in the warehouse. Our certificates help guarantee that HST is a reliable transporter and all-round logistics service provider. HST makes every effort to ensure that goods are stored safely and that transport is carried out properly and safely.