Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) is pleased to announce the successful attainment of the IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification for Air France Cargo and its hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Chicago O’Hare.

Safety is a top priority at AFKLMP Cargo, ensuring the best possible transportation of dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries, which are increasingly in demand.

On 11 July, Christophe Boucher, EVP of Air France Cargo, visited the IATA offices in Geneva to accept the much sought-after lithium battery certification for Air France Cargo and its hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Chicago O’Hare. Certification is preceded by a strict assessment, which not only confirms an organisation’s commitment to upholding the highest safety standards, but also ensures the safety of employees and operations by continually improving and maintaining standards.

“We are very proud of this certification that proves that Air France KLM Martinair Cargo applies the highest industry standard with regards to the handling of Lithium batteries. We keep on working on the different aspects of the handling and transportation of such shipments in order to ensure the maximum level of safety to our passenger and cargo customers,” said Christophe Boucher, EVP of Air France Cargo.

The certification programme of the CEIV Li-batt is specifically designed to enable shippers, freight forwarders, cargo handling facilities and airlines to fulfil their safety obligations by complying with regulations for transporting lithium batteries.

“We congratulate Air France KLM Martinair Cargo on achieving CEIV Lithium Battery Certification. Lithium batteries are critical power sources for many consumer goods and it is vital that we can ship them safely by air either with finished products or as components in global supply chains. That’s why we developed the CEIV Lithium Battery certification. It gives their shippers the assurance that they are operating to the highest safety and security standards when shipping lithium batteries,” said Frederic Leger, IATA Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services.

Nowadays, these batteries are the preferred power source for mobile phones, children’s toys, cars, e-bikes and a wide array of other consumer goods. Many people are unaware, however, that lithium batteries are dangerous goods that can pose safety risks if not handled in accordance with transport regulations.

The CEIV Li-batt certification programme is based on IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations (LBSR). The programme aims to set standards by raising competency levels and quality management in the handling and transport of lithium batteries throughout the supply chain. IATA certifies organisations that complete the required training, assessment and validation procedures, listing them in the IATA ONE Source registry on compliance with programme standards.