The clock is ticking for
all cargo screeners to be
certified by the South
African Civil Aviation
Authority (SACAA).
According to David
Alexander, general manager
of AVSEC, several regulations
impacting air cargo security
have been revised, all coming
into effect in December last
year.
“The revised regulations
affect training and introduce
significantly extended training
for air cargo screeners, screener
supervisors and managers.
All cargo screeners must now
be certified by the SACAA
and must be employed by
a CAA-registered screener
organisation,” he told FTW.
“Industry has been granted
an exemption to August
2017 to comply with the
certification of screeners and
screener organisations. This
is a far-reaching change that
will enhance the security
of air cargo but will require
substantial effort and
investment in training and
systems for organisations
providing screening services.”
He said organisations
currently screening their own
cargo would be most affected
by the new requirements.
“Ensuring one is fully aware
of the detail of
the changes is
imperative – as is
having a strategy
in place to ensure
compliance.”
Alexander
said the full
implementation
of the revised
regulations
would have a
meaningful
impact on air
cargo security
provided
industry
embraced the
changes and made every effort
to be compliant.
Welcoming attempts to
ensure a safer air cargo arena
he said recent developments
around the world had led to an
increased focus on risk.
“Security is a societal
concern; we can only be safe if
we are all an active part of the
solution.”
He said security threats from
electronic devices in particular
were a current trend with many
organisations
working hard
to find ways to
mitigate these
threats in their
operations.
“Forwardlooking
companies are
anticipating
possible
changes to air
cargo security
practices that
may arise for
electronic
devices in the
future and
are already looking at ways
to minimise risk and ensure
business continuity should
regulations and practices
change.”
The new regulations
will require substantial
effort and investment
in training and systems
for organisations
providing screening
services.
– David Alexander
