Air cargo security regulations could kick in by May

THE IMPLEMENTATION of air cargo security regulations, Part108, which will demand the identification of all goods placed on board aircraft in South Africa and require all cargo to undergo security controls prior to loading, has moved one step closer, with May 1 suggested as the possible kick-off date. An interest group formed by the Civil Aviation Regulations Committee (CARcom) and comprising the SA Association of Freight Forwarders, SA Express Parcels Association, JCCI, Commercial Aviation Association of SA and the Business Aviation Association of SA (Baasa) were due to meet on February 19 – after three meetings held in October/November last year – to fine-tune the proposed amendments to the regulations which were first gazetted in April last year. These will be put before CARcom on February 27 and are likely to be accepted without change, according to Baasa chairman Bob Garbett.This because the interest group was formed by CARcom to make the amendments. “The regulations that were published in the Government Gazette in April last year will be sent to the Minister for approval and then publication. The amended technical standards, after the approval of the regulations, will then be put up on the CAA website for 30 days for comment,” Garbett told FTW. “Hopefully there won’t be further comment and my estimation at best is that it will come into effect on May 1.” A key factor to be discussed at the February 19 meeting will be the phasing-in process. “We don’t want a big bang approach which would result in chaos. The phased option would, for example, start with the requirement for secure premises – which is one of the prerequisites for forwarding agents and consignors who become known consignors. The premises need to be inspected and approved by qualified security people. “Phase two might involve registration of consignors, and so on.” The interest group has brought together the necessary comprehensive expertise and while further panel-beating of the regulation may be necessary, industry bodies are comfortable that they have a workable document.