IATA goes digital to combat dangerous goods supply chain

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is to embark on an important digitisation programme as part of an effort to keep dangerous goods out of its supply chain. 

It said the move was a “significant step forward” in the digitalisation of the dangerous goods supply chain following the adoption of the e-Dangerous Goods Declaration (e-DGD) standards.

The e-DGD is an electronic approach to manage the IATA Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), leveraging industry initiatives to digitalise data and embrace data sharing platform principles. This aligns with and supports industry initiatives to modernise air cargo processes efficiently and share critical data among stakeholders that need it.

Implementing the e-DGD requires cooperation between all stakeholders, including shippers, forwarders, carriers, ground handling agents and third-party providers.

IATA said the benefits of implementing the e-DGD with clearly defined data governance include improved transparency, traceability and data quality. This, in turn, will improve process efficiency and reduce errors and delays.

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The e-DGD was developed through the IATA Cargo Services Conference with key support provided by four proof of concept partners—Air France-KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and Cargologic confirming industry requirements.

“The e-DGD demonstrates the air cargo industry’s commitment to modernise processes. The challenge now is implementation so that the benefits can be realised by the supply chain and, more importantly, by our customers,” said Glyn Hughes, Global Head of Cargo, IATA.

Dr. Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, Vice President Global Handling, Lufthansa Cargo´s said: “e-DGD is one important component of Lufthansa Cargo´s digitisation strategy to provide a holistic digital environment for our customers. Only when all stakeholders of the supply chain find benefits in the solution, will digitisation be successful on such a large scale.

“This was taken into account for the e-DGD standard, and we´re happy to perform the Pilot project with industry partners in our hub in Frankfurt.”