NEW YORK,NY "“ May 22, 2008 - The National Coffee Association of U.S.A., Inc. (NCA) has announced that an initiative in support of the U.S. coffee industry's participation in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program of the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) department was launched on May 19, 2008.

The NCA is the first industry association to undertake an initiative to support industry wide participation in the C-TPAT program through the launch of a proprietary internet-based supply chain security shared information platform that will function as a registry of foreign suppliers and their C-TPAT related security practices for industry members (http://ctpat.ncausa.org/).

"The threat of terrorism has changed the stakes and the rules for American commerce," said Robert F. Nelson, NCA president and C.E.O. He added. "The NCA C-TPAT program will help the industry partner with government to enhance homeland security while easing potential burdens on commerce. NCA encourages all members of the supply chain to become part of this important initiative."

The NCA has partnered with the Global Security Verification (GSV) cross sector industry initiative (www.importsecurity.com) and Intertek to develop the industry’s shared information platform designed to facilitate importers’ and suppliers’ participation and compliance with C-TPAT requirements. The platform will be a registry of foreign suppliers and their C-TPAT related security practices. Industry importers whom are currently and/or seeking C-TPAT membership can utilize the NCA C-TPAT shared information platform for efficient and cost-effective means of collecting and maintaining necessary documentation.

In addition to the supplier registry, the platform is designed to provide valuable information and tools to users to facilitate application to the C-TPAT program. The platform combines NCA's extensive membership reach and knowledge of industry needs with GSV's and Intertek's expertise in partnering with international suppliers and importers to drive the development of a shared global security verification process and online security data collection, resulting in greater assurance, risk control, efficiency and cost savings for all participants.

NCA is developing its services in direct consultation with U.S. Customs & Border Protection. CBP has commented that a service like the one NCA is initiating will be a benefit to their efforts to promote participation in the C-TPAT program as well as contribute to border protection in general.

"The GSV business network and Intertek is privileged to collaborate with the NCA and leverage our experience in global supply chain security risk controls and efficiencies for the coffee industry," said Andre Raghu, GSV Program Director. "Supply chain security has wide ranging implications for other industries and the results of this collaborative industry approach will be a critical benchmark for all industry sectors and an important step toward achieving a shared objective of government and industry to enhance supply chain security." Mr. Raghu added.

About NCA

The National Coffee Association of the U.S.A., Inc. (NCA), established in 1911, is the leading trade organization for the coffee industry in the United States. NCA is the only trade association that serves all segments of the US coffee industry, including traditional and specialty companies. NCA provides a wide array of services, focusing on market and scientific research, domestic and international government relations,issues management, public relations, and education. The NCA's mission is to champion the well-being of the US coffee industry within the context of the world coffee community. For further information, please visit www.ncausa.org

About Global Security Verification Program

The Global Security Verification (GSV) program is the leading international business network for supporting the development and implementation of measures for enhancing global supply chain security. Since its inception in 2001, GSV has grown to encompass participation from more than 3000 multi-nationals, foreign manufacturers and partner organizations, cooperating to achieve a shared objective of integrating supply chain security into business practice through a collaborative industry approach resulting in greater assurance,risk control, efficiency and cost savings for all participants. For further information, please visit www.importsecurity.com

Intertek

Intertek

Intertek is the leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value to customers’ products, processes and assets. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in a global marketplace. Intertek helps its customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. visit www.intertek.com.

More from Intertek