Valley firm gets credit for clear path to Brexit
ALEADING Valley manufacturer has guaranteed the smooth transition of goods to and from its premises post-Brexit by achieving international certification.
J and J Ormerod, based in Bacup, spent months working towards achieving Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.
Having already
achieved quality management accreditation ISO 9001, ISO 14001 environmental standard and ISO 50001 energy standard, the business was fortunate to have some of the essential paperwork, policies and monitoring in place.
James Casey, the health, safety and environmental manager, said that the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer was able to achieve the accreditation much faster than those companies who were starting the process from scratch.
Joint managing director Lee Greenhalgh said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved this internationally recognised mark of quality.
“The extensive process of becoming an AEO means many businesses find it a challenge.
“We are still waiting for Brexit to happen and there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to how any deal, or no deal, may affect day-to-day business.”
James said: “What is important for JJO is that because the company is a major importer we are able to guarantee that the goods we need can get to us as swiftly as possible once customs borders are in place.
“When Brexit is implemented, businesses that are AEOs will find it easier both to export and import goods and as it is internationally recognised, it will also apply to imports and exports from America or China.
“We will benefit from greater access to priority clearance, reduced administration, improved traceable flow of goods, increased security, fewer delays in dispatch, improved security and quicker access to certain customs procedures.”
The company spent months planning and making sure it had the necessary refinements to its practices prior to beginning the application process. Over the coming years, AEO will be the recognised standard throughout the customs community which is why so many businesses in the UK are now undergoing the process to try to achieve it.