26 June 2024
Who does this notice affect?
Approved arrangement class 19 accredited persons.
What has changed?
The department is making changes to enable faster document assessment clearance times. External Verification for eCerts (EVE) is a new digital service that will enable approved arrangement class 19 accredited persons to view electronic government certificates (eCertificates) as part of document assessment activities.
Approved arrangement class 19 allows accredited persons to assess commodity import documentation associated with specific commodities in scope of the approved arrangement. Currently, accredited persons must be in possession of a paper copy of any relevant sanitary and phytosanitary certificates before they can commence their document assessment.
By the end of June 2024, EVE will enable accredited persons to view eCertificates and relevant attachments online to undertake document assessment activities.
Approved arrangement class 19 accredited persons will be able to see a new ‘eCertificates’ tile in the Biosecurity Portal.
This system improvement advances the department’s commitment to adopt paperless import clearance processes and compliance to international standards.
EVE is part of the department’s Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing Systems (STEPS) program. STEPS is an investment in the department’s imported cargo ICT systems and business processes to enhance Australia's biosecurity risk management by creating a faster, simpler and more integrated cargo clearance system.
The department is exploring opportunities to further expand the capabilities of EVE in line with the STEPS goal of enabling industry to self-service and reduce their reliance on contacting the department for routine matters.
Further information
Please contact aep.arrangements@aff.gov.au if you have any questions regarding the above information. The STEPS webpage contains further information regarding the STEPS program and products, including EVE.