As the number of laws and regulations affecting transportation security have increased, shippers and service providers are finding that their information needs are changing. Now, two new industry organizations have formed to help companies better understand and weather the ways in which security demands will change their businesses.

SHIELD, the Shippers for International Electronic Logistics Data, aims to promote e-commerce best practices and expedite international trade through automation. "With the new customs ruling, automating the transmittal of cargo declaration information will be critical to ensure timely movement of freight," said SHIELD member John Motley, CEO of Little Silver, N.J.-based LOG-NET, Inc., in a statement announcing the group's formation. "Doing so potentially avoids high-risk customs screenings that can delay shipments."

The first SHIELD meetings drew attendees from Polo Ralph Lauren, Avon Products, Exel Logistics, Danzas AEI and NYK Lines, among others. For more information on SHIELD, contact Patricia Ward at (732) 747-7699 or e-mail patricia.ward@log-net.com.

The International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) is finalizing its formation as a non-profit organization catering to the needs of trade compliance professionals. "A few years ago, not many people knew what a customs compliance or import/export manager was," says Rob Pisani, director of international law firm KMZ Rosenman in Washington, D.C., and general counsel for ICPA. Although those positions recently have taken on more importance, there hasn't been an association to cater to their particular job or goals, he says. Another of ICPA's aims, Pisani notes, is to enhance the stature of trade compliance professionals.

The group's membership to date includes about 300 customs and trade compliance managers.

ICPA's Web site is slated to debut later this month. The site will serve as a portal for the compliance field, providing industry information and resume and job posting functions.

For more information on ICPA, e-mail alister@ti.com.