OTTAWA — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has moved another step closer to enhancing border security and efficiency at the same time.

The agency’s goal is to introduce a modernized Partners in Protection (PIP) program by June 30. The modernized program will require members to adhere to stricter, better-defined and more targeted security measures to strengthen border and supply chain security.

The latest development has seen the general MOU and carrier MOU being combined into one document.

The changes are minor and mostly consist of revised wording to ensure the CBSA and companies are more aware of their roles and responsibilities as partners, and of the fact they can be removed or suspended from the PIP program.

The revised MOU is available for information purposes only right now. The document only needs to be completed after June 30 as part of the application process.

The PIP program is being modernized as part of Canada’s commitment to achieve mutual recognition and compatibility between Canada’s PIP program and the U.S.’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Steps are also being taken to ensure that the PIP program’s new requirements are better aligned with international standards such as the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE) and the Authorized Economic Operator concept of the World Customs Organization.

The next enhancement to the PIP program will see the development of a Security Profile.

The current Security Questionnaire is being replaced by a Security Profile that is divided into generic sections (which apply to all applicants) and sections specifically developed for each of the business sectors: highway, rail, marine and air carriers, customs brokers, warehouse operators, importers/exporters and couriers.

The profile will identify minimum-security criteria in the areas of physical security, procedural security, conveyance security, data and documentation protection, personnel security and supply chain security for each sector.

The final security profile will be made available once it is ready.