Special Cargo and Pharmaceuticals Strategic Partnerships Program

Special Cargo & Pharmaceuticals Strategic Partnerships Summary

The Special Cargo and Pharmaceuticals (SPC) area focuses on dangerous goods, and live animals & perishables. Specifically, the dangerous goods component includes the transport of dangerous goods by air as well as lithium batteries, which is applicable across the supply chain. The live animals and perishables component manages the development of standards for the air transport of live animals, perishables and healthcare cargo, such as medical devices, vaccines and other pharmaceuticals.

Benefits

• Participate in Strategic Partners meetings and dedicated working groups
• Be featured in IATA publications such as the IATA e-Freight handbook
• Benefit from first selection of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities at the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS), CNS Conference and any other cargo event organized by IATA
• Advertise on the Cargo website at a discounted rate
• Receive industry notifications on a broad spectrum of areas
• Receive a complimentary premium listing in IATA’s Cargolink
• Develop processes and technical standards

Activities

The Special Cargo and Pharmaceuticals area is comprised of two Boards, the Dangerous Goods Board (DGB) and the Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB), along with their subgroups as indicated below. 

Dangerous Goods Board (DGB)
The objective of the DGB is to promote the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. This is accomplished by establishing clear, concise and practical procedures for shippers, freight forwarders and airlines. These regulations are applicable worldwide and consider the operational needs of our members, as well as the special conditions to which a package is subject during transport by air. The Board meets to consider and review new developments in the international regulatory arena as well as discusses problems that arise in the transport of dangerous goods and acts to modify or develop new regulations as appropriate.

Dangerous Goods Training Working Group (DGTWG)
The DGTWG reports to the Dangerous Goods Board and meets twice a year to review all matters pertaining to dangerous goods training. It was established by the DGB to review, amend and update the IATA Dangerous Goods Training Program. The contents thereof are current and fully aligned with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Other tasks are:

• Develop and implement competency-based training and assessment
• Review and evaluate remote and digital training and delivery

Live Animals & Perishables Board (LAPB)
The LAPB develops criteria for the acceptance, handling and loading of live animals, perishables and healthcare cargo in air transportation, as outlined in the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) and the IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR). The regulations include provisions for the safety and quality of commodities while in the custody of IATA Airline Members and throughout the air transport supply chain. The Board meets twice a year to review and enhance standards that are included in the respective regulations.

Healthcare Cargo Working Group (HCWG)
The HCWG provides recommendations to the LAPB on the development of healthcare cargo transportation and handling standards. Specifically, these recommendations include: 

• Propose amendments to existing IATA Industry Standards, Recommended Practices and guidance material on effective handling and transportation techniques to ensure the quality and the integrity of healthcare cargo
• Recommend training in relation to the abovementioned activities
• Report regulatory developments regarding the handling and air transportation of healthcare cargo
• Develop and promote sustainable practices aligned to the IATA sustainability framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

Perishable Cargo Working Group (PCWG)
The PCWG provides recommendations to the LAPB on the development of perishable cargo transportation and handling standards. Specifically, these recommendations include:

• Propose amendments to existing IATA Industry Standards, Recommended Practices and guidance material on effective handling and transportation techniques to ensure the quality of perishables
• Recommend training in relation to the abovementioned activities
• Report regulatory developments affecting the handling and air transportation of perishables
• Develop and promote sustainable practices aligned to the IATA sustainability framework and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

Focus Areas

• Dangerous Goods
• Live Animals & Perishables
• Healthcare Cargo
• Pharmaceuticals

Designed for

• Shippers (pharmaceutical companies, etc.)
• Freight forwarders
• Air cargo ground service providers
• Temperature sensitive logistics providers

Please view the full list of Strategic Partnerships Program benefits (pdf).