Air France KLM Martinair Cargo gets IATA CEIV Li-batt certification

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has been granted the IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification for Air France Cargo and its hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Chicago O'Hare.

Christophe Boucher, EVP, Air France Cargo, visited the IATA offices in Geneva to accept the Li-batt certification, which is preceded by a strict assessment to ensure the safety of employees and operations by continually improving and maintaining standards.

“We are very proud of this certification that proves that Air France KLM Martinair Cargo applies the highest industry standard with regards to the handling of lithium batteries," says Boucher. "We keep on working on the different aspects of the handling and transportation of such shipments in order to ensure the maximum level of safety to our passenger and cargo customers."

Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President, Commercial Products and Services, IATA adds: “We congratulate Air France KLM Martinair Cargo on achieving CEIV Lithium Battery certification. Lithium batteries are critical power sources for many consumer goods and it is vital that we can ship them safely by air either with finished products or as components in global supply chains. That’s why we developed the CEIV Lithium Battery certification. It gives their shippers the assurance that they are operating to the highest safety and security standards when shipping lithium batteries."

Lithium batteries are the preferred power source for mobile phones, toys, cars, e-bikes and a wide array of other consumer goods, the release added. "Many people are unaware that lithium batteries are dangerous goods that can pose safety risks if not handled in accordance with transport regulations."

The CEIV Li-batt certification programme is based on IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and IATA Lithium Battery shipping regulations (LBSR), the release added.