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Challenge Group awarded IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries

Dangerous Goods Airlines
Challenge Group has been awarded IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries certification following six months of preparation, training and auditing.

The CEIV Lithium Batteries certificate joins the CEIV Pharma and Fresh certificates earned by Challenge Airlines and Challenge Handling at Liege Airport.

IATA says around 1.3 million shipments of lithium batteries are transported annually by air.

It is estimated that 5% of air cargo shipments include lithium batteries in addition to other electronic and mail parcels, which does not include undeclared batteries.

Yossi Shoukroun, CEO of Challenge Group says undeclared or mis-declared batteries are concerning so staff need to be trained to detect them.

He says, “We are proud that our efforts have been officially recognised and that we may now carry the IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries seal of approval as a visible demonstration to customers that their DGR shipments are in the best of hands, including the ones under UN3090 and UN3480.”

Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at IATA adds that the number of lithium batteries being shipped continues to rise and they need to be transported safely and efficiently.

He says, “We commend Challenge Group for achieving CEIV Lithium Batteries certification. This gives customers total confidence in Challenge Group’s world-class performance and quality credentials for lithium battery shipments.”

For extra safety, lithium batteries are handled by an expert team who are drilled in risk prevention and crisis management.

Lithium batteries shipments have their own separate handling areas in the warehouse dangerous goods area and in the second-line warehouse dedicated to e-commerce.

David Canavan, Chief Operating Officer of Challenge Group says e-commerce receives particular attention, saying, “Since around 70% of e-commerce being flown across the globe, contains lithium batteries. That is another reason why more and more air cargo stakeholders should be striving for risk awareness and safe handling. An IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries audit is the best way to adopt and ensure company-wide compliance with the required safety standards.”