A new global security standard to protect high-value consumer goods traveling on international roads has been launched by the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA).  Cargo crime levels involving attacks on such vehicles are estimated to cost in excess of $10bn per annum.

The updated and enhanced Trucking Security Requirements 2012 (TSR) replaces the 2008 version and takes effect Jan. 1, 2012. TSR has proven to be extremely effective for TAPA members in helping to eradicate what is a growing problem for manufacturers and global supply chain service providers. Organized criminals target what they regard as vulnerable cargo loads as they move on roads in all parts of the world. In one of the most recent incidents a truck driver lost his life in a violent criminal attack. The mounting cost of losses and insurance claims is also impacting product prices for consumers.

TAPA's 700+ global members include leading brand manufacturers in the high-tech, pharmaceutical, metal, luxury goods, tobacco and fashion industries as well as their logistics, freight forwarding, insurance and transport partners. The combined annual revenue of its members exceeds $900bn.

The Association previously took similar action in 2001 when it launched its original Freight Security Requirements (FSR) to protect warehouse operations from attacks by criminals. Today, FSR is recognized as the world's leading standard for securing freight centres. Having significantly reduced incidents involving warehouses, TAPA has since seen a dramatic increase in road-based crime.

In a joint statement, TAPA's regional chairmen, said: "The world of cargo crime is no longer about an opportunist individual snatching a product from a box in a warehouse. Today, we are dealing with gangs of organized criminals that are often armed and prepared to go to any lengths as we saw as recently as September with the murder of a driver during a hijack of his vehicle in the Philippines. Vehicles are attacked whilst being parked up overnight, at motorway service stations and even while moving and, in some countries, this may start with truck drivers being stopped by what turn out to be authentic-looking but bogus law enforcement officers.

"The new and enhanced TAPA Truck Security Requirements, which includes mandatory certification, supports the users and providers of trucking services, providing a common standard of security measures and taking into account the different ways these services are provided globally. When adopted, TSR is a mandatory standard and adherence to it is validated and auditable by a TAPA-approved and trained independent auditor. We believe that TSR certification will result in TAPA members globally seeing a continued reduction in crime involving vehicles, similar to the significant decline in losses from warehouse attacks witnessed by members that have FSR certified facilities.
"We are very grateful to the companies that supported this initiative by committing  employees' time to work on this critical project. It is very much an investment in the greater good and an opportunity to change some of the ways companies' do business with each other to further protect the supply chain."

Cargo crime is one of the biggest supply chain challenges for manufacturers of high-value, high-risk products and their logistics service providers. In the European Union alone, the cost to businesses is estimated at â"šÂ¬8.2 billion a year and is still growing while in the Americas, estimates for losses range from $3bn to $5bn  per annum. Globally, some 85 percent of all major cargo thefts occur during road transportation so the need for a robust and consistent trucking standard is critical.

Research shows that TAPA members, when supported by TAPA security standards, incur significantly lower theft loss levels than the industry average. Through participation in TAPA and the many opportunities for sharing crime intelligence, training, networking and its close co-operation with regulatory bodies and international law enforcement agencies, TAPA members learn to identify and understand security risks and how they can best be mitigated. TAPA's 2010 Financial Benchmark report indicates that losses incurred by non-members are three times higher than for TAPA members.

Source: TAPA