Ensuring the safety of dangerous goods transported by air requires vigilance against undeclared or mis-declared items. Thorough training for cargo handling personnel to effectively identify, manage, and eliminate improperly packaged, labelled, or declared hazardous materials, ranging from explosives to corrosives is essential. Comprehensive knowledge and preparedness across the supply chain are vital for safety and regulatory compliance.
Operators have processes for managing events involving dangerous goods, both on the ground and in the air. Procedures vary, depending on the hazards presented by the dangerous goods and the nature of the event. Procedures for dealing with a leaking package of a toxic solid will be very different to one of a leaking flammable liquid; and whilst incidences are rare, training still needs to take place.
“The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) play a crucial role in the safe air transport of hazardous materials, offering detailed guidelines for packaging, labeling, handling, and documentation, significantly minimising the risk of accidents as well as key information regarding State and Operator variations,” David Wall IATA’s Director Safety and Cargo Compliance & Operations Solutions said.
Lithium on the rise
The challenge with lithium batteries is their ubiquity; they’re found everywhere in people’s daily lives. They are subject to a set of testing criteria; however, a significant challenge arises from counterfeit batteries or those produced with poor quality. People, especially towards the end of a pay period, might opt for a $30 battery of potentially dubious origin, instead of a $50 battery from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
The Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations specifically address these challenges. Dedicated training programmes exist, and the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Lithium Battery Programme enables key players in the lithium battery supply chain – including shippers, freight forwarders, cargo handling facilities, and airlines – to meet their safety obligations by complying with applicable transport regulations. It also demonstrates their capability and competency in safely handling and transporting lithium battery products.
“Regulations are continually evolving, particularly in the context of lithium batteries. This category encompasses a broad range of chemistries, constructions, and properties, especially in scenarios where they may become unsafe,” Ben Firkins, IATA’s Head of Cargo Safety and Dangerous Goods explained.
“A significant advancement in safety has been the introduction of a maximum 30% State of Charge requirement. This measure greatly reduces the likelihood of a heat/fire incident in one cell of a battery propagating to adjacent cells within the same battery or spreading to other packages containing similar batteries.
“Looking ahead, future regulations may include further hazard classifications for lithium batteries, as well as for sodium-ion batteries that utilise an organic electrolyte.
“Moreover, the adoption of IATA’s eDGD (electronic Dangerous Goods Declaration) is poised to enhance both safety and efficiency within the supply chain. This system facilitates checks and provides valuable business intelligence. IATA is in the process of creating a free access portal, DG.Digital, which will enable manufacturers and forwarders to create and transmit eDGDs throughout the supply chain. This initiative aims to streamline adherence to regulations and expedite the acceptance process.”
Proactive and reactive
Warehouse-based e-commerce retailers typically adopt a proactive approach in identifying products that may contain dangerous goods and determining the appropriate methods for shipping those goods. Conversely, platforms hosting individual sellers tend to adopt a more reactive strategy, leading to an increased workload for freight forwarders and mail service providers in detecting and screening out hidden dangerous goods.
Postal authorities, in particular, have been bolstering their detection systems, investing in employee training, and engaging in outreach and education initiatives on dangerous goods.
“IATA plays a key role in developing packaging standards for lithium batteries, which are known for their potential risks during air transport. The organisation is actively involved in the creation of fire-resistant containers and fire containment covers, further enhancing the safety of air transport, particularly for dangerous goods,” Firkins stated.
“Good training and robust processes are beneficial. However, some states and/or operators may impose additional checks or documentary requirements, which could unintentionally shift the focus from assessing risk to merely verifying compliance.
“For instance, when dealing with an OEM supplier that regularly sends products through, the constant insistence on presenting the same testing certificate with every shipment may not add value. Similarly, the assumption that “if the paperwork is in order, then everything is okay” can be misleading, especially if signs suggest that a shipment might contain counterfeit batteries.
“The ongoing challenge will continue to be with batteries that fail to comply with criteria or are shipped at a high state of charge.”
Collaboration is crucial
IATA engages in comprehensive collaboration with a broad spectrum of partners in the aviation industry to develop industry standards, practical tools and operational recommendations for the safe handling of dangerous goods. This collaborative effort encompasses airlines, training organisations, aviation regulators, and peak representative bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the United Nations (UN), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Through these partnerships, IATA focuses on producing a range of practical guides and tools tailored to address the specific challenges associated with handling dangerous goods. These resources include practical guides for the safe transportation of battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices, safety risk assessments, and the carriage of cargo, mail, and baggage. Special attention is given to the safe handling of lithium batteries and other dangerous goods transported through international post.
“The standardisation of regulations across the entire air cargo industry is paramount, particularly for the handling of dangerous goods (DG), an importance that has been amplified with the rise of e-commerce,” Firkins explained.
“One of the industry’s key strengths in transporting dangerous goods safely is the widespread adoption of the DGR for the packing and transporting of these items by air.
“The DGR provides a critical framework that helps to ensure the safety and efficiency of air transport, even as operators may impose their variations to these regulations, which can introduce minor disruptions in planning optimal shipment routes. Unique state variations, often introduced due to domestic legislation, present additional challenges.
“By standardising practices worldwide, the DGR safeguards not only those directly involved in air transport—such as flight crews and ground handlers—but also the wider public and environment, ensuring that dangerous goods are transported without incident.
