CBP Involved in Tests to Integrate Energy-Related Interoperability Data Into ACE
CBP is seeking comments on a DHS initiative that could eventually result in the integration of global interoperability standards data about Canadian crude and other pipeline commodities into ACE, according to a Federal Register notice.
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DHS' Science and Technology Directorate oversees the Silicon Valley Innovation Program, which involves private-public R&D partnerships. Neoflow, an energy traceability platform, participates in the program and is testing a platform that will document the movement of Canadian crude oil from wellhead to refinery, using global interoperability standards adopted by pilot participants.
CBP will have access to the interoperability data from this platform, which the agency says will use decentralized identifiers and verifiable credentials to help identify legitimate products and associated companies to build a transparent supply chain.
"The purpose of the test is to measure the usefulness and accuracy of the Neoflow platform's [global interoperability standards] with a view toward resolving any issues prior to determining next steps (which could include implementing new policies and regulations leading to the integration of [global interoperability standards] data with the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for Canadian crude oil and other pipeline commodities for entry purposes)," CBP said. "The test will be limited to pipeline oil products coming from Canada but may be expanded in the future to other commodities upon successful implementation of the test."
CBP noted that if the test is successful, it "could result in the ability to potentially eliminate all port-level paper processes as well as create an automation environment in which pre-arrival data collection, in-bond tracking, and Free Trade Agreement compliance traceability no longer pose issues."
The Jan. 14 Federal Register notice is a procedural action where CBP notifies the OMB that it is making changes in its information collection. CBP will be accepting comments on this information collection through Feb. 13.