IATA unveils air cargo device assessment programme

For safety standards compliance

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled its new initiative, the IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment Program. The programme seeks to validate air cargo tracking devices, data loggers, and sensor-equipped technologies. It aims to ensure these devices meet rigorous industry safety standards and play a crucial role in securing and efficiently transporting sensitive cargo.

IATA’s new initiative comes when air cargo is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics, and high-value goods. Shippers in these industries often rely on battery-powered devices to monitor and maintain the integrity of their shipments, ensuring that temperature, humidity, and other critical factors remain within safe limits throughout the journey.

Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, explained: “The fastest-growing segments of air cargo are pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics, and high-value goods. Shippers rely on various battery-powered electronic devices to monitor these sensitive shipments to ensure their integrity. The IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment will confirm that these devices comply with strict industry safety standards.”

One key aspect of the IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment is validating compliance with IATA’s Recommended Practice 1693. This guidance provides essential safety measures for electromagnetic compatibility and battery safety, two critical concerns in the safe operation of air cargo devices. The validation data will be available via IATA’s One Source platform, offering a single access point for stakeholders searching for approved tracking devices.

The first product to undergo this validation process is The Box, an innovative reusable packing solution developed by LivingPackets Group. The Box is the first innovative reusable packaging explicitly designed for air cargo, and it has now been validated under the IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment Programme.

Denis Mourrain, COO of LivingPackets Group, commented on the significance of the IATA certification: “IATA validation is crucial for The Box because our customers want to know that our product complies with global standards. Having IATA validate compliance with its strict safety standards makes our product universally acceptable for use across the air cargo industry. That is particularly important for an innovation like The Box, as it is the first smart reusable packing for use in air cargo. The Air Cargo Device Assessment gives it instant global recognition.”

The IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment offers many benefits across the supply chain. Device manufacturers will benefit from a streamlined validation process, which eliminates the need for repetitive documentation.

Additionally, the programme facilitates more straightforward access to airline contacts for device approval and provides enhanced visibility in the global market. Airlines stand to gain from safer operations, with fewer undeclared devices entering the system and simplified internal approval processes thanks to a consolidated repository of approved devices.

Shippers and forwarders will benefit from the programme’s centralised access to approved device information, enabling better routing and carrier selection planning. The overall success of the IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment Programme will lead to more effective and efficient delivery of time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive shipments, thereby reducing waste and ensuring the preservation of sensitive goods during transport.

The programme promises to be a significant step forward in ensuring air cargo’s safety, security, and reliability, particularly in industries dealing with perishable and high-value items, where the shipment’s integrity is paramount. Through this initiative, IATA aims to support the growing global air cargo sector while promoting higher standards of safety and operational efficiency across the industry.

Hero image: The IATA Air Cargo Device Assessment offers many benefits across the supply chain. Credit: Ron Peder