DHS Secretary Napolitano Announces Creation of New Center to Ensure Safety of Imported Goods

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the creation of the Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center (CTAC)—a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility designed to streamline and enhance federal efforts to address import safety issues.

The Import Safety CTAC will combine the resources and manpower of CBP and other government agencies—including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety Inspection Service—to protect the American public from harm caused by unsafe imported products by improving communication and information-sharing and reducing redundant inspection activities.

The new facility, which will be headed by and located adjacent to CBP's Office of International Trade in Washington, DC, reflects the three core principles announced by President Obama's Food Safety Working Group in July: prevention, surveillance and response. Created in March, the Working Group was tasked with advising President Obama on how to upgrade the U.S. food safety system.

Approximately 30 personnel, representing all of the participating agencies, will work at the CTAC.