Evolving landscape of dangerous goods transport by air in Europe

In the world of air cargo, transporting dangerous goods demands unparalleled precision and compliance. As regulations evolve and technology advances, European air carriers navigate a complex landscape of safety protocols, digital innovations, and collaborative efforts to ensure the secure movement of hazardous materials across the skies.

The transportation of dangerous goods (DG) by air is a complex and highly regulated process that demands meticulous attention to detail and unwavering compliance. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), more than 1.25 million consignments of dangerous goods are transported by air every year. As the air cargo industry evolves, so too do the regulations governing the movement of potentially hazardous materials including lithium batteries, infectious substances, fireworks, dry-ice, gasoline-powered engines and machinery, lighters, and paint, among others.

At the heart of this regulatory framework are the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which are then adopted and enforced by regional authorities in Europe like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). These regulations form the backbone of safety protocols in the air cargo industry, ensuring that potentially dangerous materials are handled with the utmost care and precision.

Recently, IATA and ICAO have extended their long-standing cooperation in setting and implementing global standards for the safe carriage of dangerous goods by air. This collaboration underscores the industry's commitment to maintaining and improving safety standards on a global scale.

A cornerstone of DG transportation is the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual, published annually by IATA. These rules, based on the ICAO Technical Instructions, provide comprehensive guidelines for classifying, marking, packing, labelling, and documenting hazardous shipments.

The DGR manual serves as the global reference for shipping dangerous goods by air, offering detailed instructions on classification, packaging, labelling, documentation, and training requirements. The frequent updates to these regulations reflect the industry's commitment to addressing new safety concerns, technological advancements, and emerging best practices.

"Among the 38 million flights in 2023 there were 30 accidents and just one of which was fatal. A good safety record, as we all know, is earned every day. And for air cargo, we must continue to put special emphasis on the handling of dangerous goods, and in particular lithium batteries."

Brendan Sullivan of IATA

One of the most critical challenges in DG transportation is the accurate classification of goods. This process requires in-depth knowledge of various materials' properties and their interactions in different environments. The complexity is compounded by materials that may fall into nine hazard classes. To address this, many organisations are investing heavily in training programmes and specialised software, with some establishing dedicated teams of experts focused solely on ensuring accurate DG classification.

This meticulous classification process is just the first step in a comprehensive system of checks and balances. As a Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson explained, "The airline accepting consignments containing dangerous goods checks documentation and cargo for compliance with regulations. In case there is reasonable doubt regarding the proper identification or classification Lufthansa Cargo requests a safety data sheet (SDS) issued by the manufacturer or distributor of the hazardous substance or article to verify correct classification."

Another crucial step is packaging and labelling. Each type of dangerous good has specific packaging requirements, which may include specialised inner packaging, absorbent materials, or pressure-relief devices. Labelling must be precise, durable, and informative, bearing appropriate hazard labels, handling marks, and other required information that can withstand the rigours of transportation.

Johannes Bruijs, Senior Vice President- Global Logistics at Cargolux Airlines, elaborates on this process: "Process and procedures for packaging established by Cargolux's DG expert team, include a DG Acceptance Checklist to ensure that the package type, the labels and markings are in compliance with the relevant regulations. In addition, the DG acceptance process is delegated to Ground Handling Agents operating on behalf of Cargolux, who receive appropriate mandatory training and who are regularly audited by Cargolux and by the competent authority."

The stringent checks extend beyond packaging and labelling. As the Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson further explained, "All shipments are checked physically and in a documentary form for completeness, intactness and proper labelling. The data in the air waybill and the shipper's declaration for dangerous goods must also tally. If the Lufthansa specialists discover security-relevant damage to the cargo or inconsistencies in the documentation and marking of the packages, there are no compromises. The consignor must rectify the situation. Otherwise, the cargo is not taken on board."

As the industry evolves, so too does its approach to documentation. The shift towards electronic documentation adds another layer of complexity to DG transportation. Electronic systems must capture detailed information about DG shipments and interface seamlessly with various stakeholders along the supply chain. The e-Dangerous Goods Declaration (e-DGD) is a key initiative aimed at creating a standardised electronic format for dangerous goods declarations, promising to streamline processes and reduce errors.

Bruijs of Cargolux Airlines added insight into this digital transition: "Cargolux supports the IATA e-AWB initiative and encourages its customer community to use the e-AWB framework for Cargolux's product portfolio e.g., CV hazard, CV pharma, where permitted. The customer sends the electronic air waybill information (FWB) containing all relevant shipment data required in accordance with the IATA DGR manual. The challenge is to ensure that complete, accurate and timely shipment data is transmitted to the airline."

A significant development in this area is the European Union's implementation of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), a large-scale advanced cargo information system. This new customs pre-arrival security and safety programme has already shown its effectiveness. For instance, in March 2024, Belgian customs at Liege Airport successfully intercepted and seized more than 2.5 tonnes of drug precursors with a retail value estimated at €75 million, demonstrating the system's potential in enhancing security and safety.

Bruijs highlights Cargolux Airlines' proactive approach in collaborating with various stakeholders: "Cargolux takes all necessary steps to make sure all cargo security requirements are met in line with industry standards to allow efficient facilitation of data exchange. An increasing number of governments are looking into setting up such reporting standards to enhance cargo security."

“The customer sends the electronic air waybill information (FWB) containing all relevant shipment data required in accordance with the IATA DGR manual. The challenge is to ensure that complete, accurate and timely shipment data is transmitted to the airline."

Johannes Bruijs of Cargolux Airlines

A key feature of air cargo security is the Preloading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) platform, which ensures authorities can respond before goods are handed over to carriers. This triggers a risk analysis process focused on detecting immediate risks to aviation security.

The Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson emphasises the potential of technology in simplifying DG handling: "Technology and digitisation have the potential to significantly simplify the handling of DG for air transport, addressing many of the challenges associated with the current paper-based process. The transition to an electronic shipper's declaration for dangerous goods (eDGD) can streamline the documentation process, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Digital declarations can be updated faster by the shipper, reduce manual data capture for transfer data to our handling system and allow sharing data across the supply chain in real-time. Furthermore, electronic systems can include built-in checks to ensure that all necessary information is correctly entered and that all regulatory requirements are met. This reduces the risk of human error and enhances safety and compliance."

Looking ahead, the future of DG transportation in Europe is likely to be shaped by several key trends. These include increased harmonisation of regulations across different transport modes and countries, enhanced focus on comprehensive training programmes, accelerated technological integration, growing sustainability concerns, and a shift towards more risk-based regulatory approaches.

Brendan Sullivan, Global Head-Cargo, IATA, underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance: "Among the 38 million flights in 2023 there were 30 accidents and just one of which was fatal. A good safety record, as we all know, is earned every day. And for air cargo, we must continue to put special emphasis on the handling of dangerous goods, and in particular lithium batteries."

This emphasis on safety is crucial, especially in light of recent data. According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), there were 350 reported dangerous goods incidents in 2023, a 15% increase from the previous year. This statistic underscores the ongoing importance of stringent regulations and the need for continuous improvement in handling procedures.

As the industry continues to adapt to new regulations and technologies, collaboration between regulators, airlines, freight forwarders, and technology providers will be key to creating a more efficient, safe, and compliant dangerous goods transportation ecosystem in Europe. While the challenges are significant, they also drive innovation and improvements in safety standards, ultimately benefiting the entire air cargo industry and the broader public it serves.

The transportation of dangerous goods by air remains a complex and evolving field, requiring constant vigilance, adaptation, and cooperation among all stakeholders. As technology advances and regulations evolve, the industry must continue to prioritise safety while also seeking ways to improve efficiency. By doing so, it can ensure that the vital flow of goods continues safely and securely, supporting global trade and economic growth while protecting the safety of workers, passengers, and the general public.

This was originally published in the July 2024 issue of The STAT Trade Times