The Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme aims to reduce unnecessary complexity and duplication of auditing for cargo handling facilities.
This new IATA initiative comprises two components. A Standardised Global Audit Programme (the SFOC Audit Certification) confirming that SFOC-certified airlines and their facilities are adhering to IATA’s Resolutions and Recommended Practices in cargo handling and with IATA’s Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM).With an estimated 360,000 days wasted annually on redundant cargo handling audits, the SFOC Audit Certification programme aims to reduce redundant efforts across the industry by 50%.
The second element of the programme is The Audit Reduction Commitment (ARC): an industry pledge to reduce audits. Airlines participating in the SFOC programme will undertake a gap analysis to determine which audit standards will not need to be assessed for SFOC certified facilities. The revised audit scope is then defined through the ARC.
Glyn Hughes, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, commented on the development. “Auditing is critical to ensure the global standards that underpin the safe and efficient operations in the aviation industry. IATA’s strong capabilities in auditing have been proven in the successful IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and CEIV programmes. The SFOC program will bring this expertise to general cargo handling operations.”
Glyn Hughes, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.
Singapore is to be the starting point for this new initiative, with SATS Ltd and Singapore Airlines to becoming the first organisations to join the Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme. SATS is the first cargo handling facility to receive the new SFOC Audit Certification and Singapore Airlines is the first airline to sign the ARC.
Says Chin Yau Seng, Senior Vice President Cargo, Singapore Airlines: “The SFOC certification, which we have worked closely with IATA to refine, allows us to sharpen the focus of our own audits of our handling agents. This zooms in on SIA-specific procedures, and enabling even greater emphasis on safety and security. The combination of both the SFOC audits and our own audits serves to provide a comprehensive picture of our service partners’ capabilities and operational quality, while improving audit efficiency for us and our service partners.”