Just as we went to print, news filtered down to FTW that SA had been granted “green” status under the ACC3 air cargo security regime which became effective July 1 – although this has not yet officially been announced by the European Union (EU) aviation authorities. But, although this effectively means that SA air cargo agents are no longer required to implement the expensive validation process to have free movement of cargo to Europe, they are advised to do so, according to David Alexander, GM of compliance services at Professional Cargo Security. He told FTW that most of the major, multi-national airfreight forwarders – although made aware that green status had been awarded – were still going ahead with their validation programmes. Alexander advised that a “prudent” forwarder or air carrier would probably be wise to also implement a validation process. “And,” he said, “if you are a Part 108 regulated agent, you have most of these measures already in place.” The reason for validation, Alexander added, was that – just as we have been awarded green status - we could just as easily be struck off it, because of a changed political perception of SA’s air cargo security risk, or should the EU consider at any time that our air cargo security standards are below par. The question that agents should be asking themselves is: “Is it wise for me to put my business in the hands of politicians, or other factors beyond my control?” said Alexander. Although the final responsibility for air cargo security lies in the hands of the carriers, he stressed that this ‘responsibility’ filtered down through every link in the supply chain.
