Foreign manufacturers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism will be required to annually verify that their supply-chain partners are following U.S.-approved security measures, according to new minimum requirements for the program implemented by Customs and Border Protection.

Companies in the program obtain benefits such as speedier clearance and dedicated fast lanes at border crossings in exchange for self-policing of their supply chains. 

The minimum criteria for foreign manufacturers and U.S. rail carriers went into effect Aug. 29. Minimum requirements for importers, and sea and highway carriers, were published earlier this year.

The new rules require foreign manufacturers on a yearly basis to assess all of their foreign partners such as parts providers, warehouses or distributors or carriers, from point of origin to point of distribution. All will have to meet minimum standards for: 

-- Container and trailer security;

-- Access controls on employees and visitors;

-- Fencing, lighting, and parking;

-- Personnel security including background checks;

-- Proper documentation;

-- Staff security training;

-- Passwords and accountability for information technology.

Foreign manufacturers already in C-TPAT have until Nov. 27 to meet the minimum standards detailed on Customs' Web site. Those who fail security checks can be suspended or removed from the program. Canadian and Mexican members who fail will have their Free and Secure Trade (FAST) privileges revoked.

New C-TPAT applicants are required to meet the new requirements now.

Customs said it recognizes that railroads "do not control their shippers and have a common carrier obligation to transport goods tendered to them." Nevertheless, the agency requires railways "to work with their shippers on appropriate security practices."

All six Class 1 rail carriers in the United States, including Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railway, are members of C-TPAT. The railroads have a phased set of deadlines to meet extensive criteria, including Oct. 30 for controls on access for employees and visitors, and physical security of facilities and rolling stock. By Dec. 27 they will have to meet conveyance tracking and monitoring criteria, and have until Feb. 26 to comply with business partner requirements.