The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has adopted the new e-Dangerous Goods Declaration (e-DGD) standards.
“The e-DGD is an electronic approach to manage the association’s Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), leveraging industry initiatives to digitalise data and embrace data-sharing platform principles,” said Nick Careen, senior vice president, airport, passenger, cargo and security at Iata.
He said implementation of the e-DGD required cooperation of all stakeholders, including shippers, forwarders, carriers, ground handling agents and third-party providers.
“The benefits of implementing the e-DGD with clearly defined data governance include improved transparency, traceability and data quality. This, in turn, will improve process efficiency and reduce errors and delays.” said Careen.
According to him, the air transport industry handles in excess of 1.25 million dangerous goods shipments per year.
“With air cargo growth forecast at 4.9% per year over the next five years, this number will rise significantly. To ensure that air cargo is ready to benefit from this growth the industry needs to adopt modern and harmonised standards that facilitate safe, secure and efficient operations, particularly in relation to carriage of dangerous goods,” said Careen.
Frankfurt Airport became the first to handle an electronic dangerous goods declaration last month.
