What is an AEO? Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status enables a European company trading internationally to acquire a quality label for the customs and security processes it implements. This status is granted to the most reliable economic operators in order to simplify trade, better secure flows and speed up customs clearance procedures.

In 2023, our Group will have joined the 1,120 French companies currently certified AEO in the Customs Simplification/Security and Safety category (out of a total of 8,600 AEO in Europe). Thanks to mutual recognition agreements, the advantages of this label will be extended to many other countries: China, United States, Great Britain, Japan, Moldavia, Norway, Switzerland... These advantages include :

• centralized EU customs clearance;
• reduced customs controls;
• priority treatment in the event of an inspection;
• reduced data requirements;
• prior notification in the event of an inspection.

Our teams worked hard for almost one year to meet the expectations of the French customs authorities and bring this procedure to a successful conclusion. This certification is the culmination of a cross-functional project involving our Logistics, Finance, IT, HSE, Legal and Sourcing departments in Carros, France.

For our customers and partners, it is the guarantee of increasingly reliable supplies. AEO certification is a further step towards securing our supply chain, in the interests of animal health and those who care for them every day.