Stock monitoring agreement | SMA

When inventories serve as collateral, it is essential to regularly inspect and record their condition and volume to minimize financial risks. A Stock Monitoring Agreement (SMA) provides continuous visibility of the status and quantity of commodities and products at storage locations.

Control Union acts as your independent collateral monitoring partner, verifying stock levels, condition, and risks across storage locations worldwide.

    Structured collateral monitoring

    A Stock Monitoring Agreement turns stock verification into a structured, recurring process, instead of relying on ad-hoc spot checks.

    Control Union operates under ISO 9001 accreditation, meaning every inspection follows documented procedures and provides auditable records. This gives financing parties consistent and reliable proof of collateral status at every reporting period.

    Control Union Collateral management

    Stock Monitoring Agreement | SMA

    Continuous control & structured assurance.

    Control Union Collateral management
    1.

    Global inspection network offering broad, reliable coverage

    Control Union maintains an international inspection network with local surveyors who know regional storage practices, making it rarely necessary to decline a verification request.

    2.

    Collateral desk

    Control Union Rotterdam can act as a single point of contact to support all scheduled verifications, removing the complexity of managing multiple regional offices.

    3.

    Lower unit cost through planned periodicity

    Because inspections follow a fixed schedule, Control Union can plan surveyor deployment efficiently and offer better rates than on-demand verifications would require.

    4.

    Flexible scope and reporting per agreement

    Reporting content and inspection scope adjust to specific requirements, so each agreement reflects the exact parameters that matter to the financing party.

    5.

    Active follow-up after every report

    Service delivery continues beyond the report. Control Union reviews findings with stakeholders, revises documentation where needed and ensures clarity before the next cycle.

    The proof to your promise

    Financial protection for collateral holders

    Stock monitoring detects misappropriation and damage early, preserving collateral value and giving financiers auditable proof of cargo status.

    • Each verification cycle checks for cargo misappropriation, giving financing parties timely evidence that pledged stock remains at the declared location.

    • Surveyors assess warehouse risks and cargo condition, including pest monitoring indicators, so quality-related value loss surfaces before it worsens.

    • Standardised reports on quantity, condition and storage risks create a continuous compliance trail that supports internal audit and regulatory requirements.

    Tools & methods

    We apply advanced measurement and analysis techniques to deliver accurate, independent verification of stock volumes and condition.

    • Volume inspections

    • Drone photogrammetry

    • 3D LiDar Scanning (Volumentric survey)

    • Tally and SketchUpBulk

    • Density analysis

    • Smart seals

    Frequently asked questions

    We verify commodities held as financed collateral across a broad range of sectors and storage environments, from warehouses and open yards to silos, bulk storage and cold stores. The service is suitable wherever financed collateral is held and independent confirmation is needed.

    The financing party agrees on a specific periodicity at contract stage. This fixed schedule governs how often Control Union performs each stock verification cycle.

    Reports typically go to all agreement signatories. In most cases the bank, the borrower and Control Union are parties, ensuring transparent collateral oversight for every stakeholder.

    Contact our experts

    Would you like to discuss the many inspection options without obligation? Let us know using the form below. We will contact you as soon as possible.

    Control Union Contact

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    Local knowledge

    Global coverage

    Control Union drives global trade forward. As an international and independent partner, we support traders, producers, brands, and logistics service providers in managing risk and safeguarding quality at every step of the supply chain.

    From raw material to final product, from processes and systems to installations, we provide insight, assurance, and trust in every link of the chain. We do this through inspections and audits, certification and verification, laboratory analyses, and pest management.

    Our global network of experts are embedded in international supply chains across dozens of sectors, including agriculture, food & feed, energy & biofuels, forestry, construction & infrastructure, textiles, maritime, and on- and offshore.

    Together, we build future-proof supply chains and confidence in global trade!

    105
    +
    Years of experience
    275
    +
    Offices and laboratories in 80 countries
    6000
    +
    Dedicated colleagues