Page 6 - STAT June 2023 Latest Issue

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gain the required level of com-
petence in order to apply the
regulations correctly. In doing
this, it is therefore not difficult
to follow the requirements of
the regulations."
Adhering to IATA regulations
for hazardous materials can
be quite challenging due to
the variations in procedures
for classification, packaging,
documentation, storage, and
transportation based on differ-
ent substances, says Sang-yong
Lee, Executive Director, Logis-
tics, Incheon International Air-
port Corporation (IIAC). "These
regulations require specialised
Incheon Airport Community becomes world's first airport community to get IATA CEIV Li-Batt certification organisations, trained person-
nel and quality management
systems. However, despite
and lithium batteries. Dry ice is widely these difficulties, strict compliance with
used as a refrigerant for goods such as the latest IATA Dangerous Goods Regula-
frozen foods and pharmaceuticals, includ- tions (DGR), including lithium batteries, is
ing vaccines. crucial for the safe handling and transpor-
"Dangerous goods are classified based tation of hazardous materials."
on their inherent hazards and potential While it can be complex, National
risks," says David Brennan, Head, Cargo Airlines diligently follows guidelines and
Safety and Dangerous Goods, IATA. "The guarantees the secure air transport of haz-
classification system provides a standard- ardous goods through prioritising safety
ised way of categorising hazardous mate- and compliance with IATA regulations, says
rials. There are various packing, marking Maran Ganapathy, Director - Quality Assur-
and labelling requirements to ensure that The industry is ance & Process Improvement, National Air
the hazards can be contained inside the Cargo and Naveen Karunakaran, Manager -
package should there be an occurrence currently exposed to Special Loads, National Airlines. "To achieve
during transport. this, National’s team stays informed about
"IATA developed the dangerous goods two primary risks: changing regulations, collaborates effec-
regulations and various guidance ma- lithium batteries tively with relevant authorities, conducts
terials so as to guide and assist air cargo accurate risk assessments, and invests in
stakeholders to understand the regula- shipments that on-going training and compliance man-
tions easier. In relation to the air transport agement systems. National Airlines follows
of lithium battery consignments, IATA has are undeclared or all IATA and DG regulations and hosts
published the “Lithium Battery Guidance misdeclared, and cell recurrent training to familiarise the team
Document”, “Carriage of Cargo, Mail and with updated rules and regulations."
Baggage – Guidance for Operators” and and battery types that
“Guidance Document – Battery Powered Challenges of lithium batteries
Cargo Tracking Devices /Data Logger”. In have not passed the UN "Lithium batteries are now the element of
some instances, a list of frequently asked 38.3 test. choice for a wide range of devices from
questions (FAQs) are developed." consumer goods, including toys, laptops,
"The dangerous regulations, both the David Brennan smartphones and GPS units to big infra-
International Civil Aviation Organization IATA structures like the grid energy industry
(ICAO) Technical Instructions and the IATA goods by air must adhere to these regula- in the pursuit of greener energy," says
Dangerous Goods regulations, provide tions. The foundation for the correct Brennan of IATA. "Due to the influx of new
the regulatory basis for the shipping of understating and application of the regu- shippers into the air cargo supply chains,
dangerous goods by air," says James Wy- lations is training, and the organisation many of whom may lack adequate logisti-
att, General Manager, aeroconcept. "Any must undergo the correct theoretical and cal expertise, the number of misdeclared
organisation requiring to ship dangerous practical training to ensure its employees and undeclared shipments has increased.
4 | JUNE 2023 www.stattimes.com