Time and temperature-sensitive label to be mandatory for healthcare cargo
Comes into force on 1 July 2012
From 1 July, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) time and temperature sensitive label will become mandatory for the transportation of healthcare cargo shipments, pursuant to the Cargo Services Conference Resolution Manual Resolution 607, Section 1.
The decision to implement this is the result of a collective recommendation supported by the Time and Temperature Task Force and Working Group members and endorsed by the IATA Live Animals and Perishables Board.1
The time and temperature sensitive label is a shipment label, specific to the healthcare industry that must be affixed to all shipments booked as time and temperature sensitive cargo.
It is the responsibility of the shipper (or designated shipper’s agent by service agreement) to ensure that the label is applied properly for such cargo shipments.
The lower half of the label must never be left blank and must indicate the external transportation temperature range of the shipment. The temperature range must only be shown in Celsius.
No other temperature information must be indicated on the label except, when agreed between the parties, it may be used to communicate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) number.
The initial booking is the key step to successful cargo transportation and will trigger the specific and/or appropriate handling and operational processes associated to healthcare transport and/or logistics. The label only supports the booking, thus the transportation temperature range specified on the label must match the transportation temperature range stated on the Air Waybill, Service Level Agreement (SLA) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
In the event that the shipper fails to complete the lower half of the label, or in case of discrepancy, the transportation temperature indicated on the Air Waybill (or on the SOP or SLA if no temperature is mentioned on the Air Waybill) will prevail.
In addition, a 24-hour contact telephone number(s) of a person knowledgeable about the shipment must be provided at the time of booking on the Air Waybill, as well as in the SLA or SOP.
IATA says the key benefits of the label are:
- Better identification
- Faster supply chain transit handling
- Greater reliability and accuracy
- Reduced risk
- Working towards international standards
IATA says it is imperative that airlines, ground handling agents and other stakeholders in the supply chain – including freight forwarders, terminal operators, ULD manufacturers, packaging and tracking and tracing companies – are familiar both with the regulations and the appearance of the label.
1. As of 1 May 2012 the Time and Temperature Task Force and Working Group members are Abbott, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, American Airlines, Aphena Pharma Solutions, Cargolux, Cathay Pacific, Coolchain Association, CSafe, DB Schenker, DHL, Egyptair, Emirates, Envirotainer, Exelsius, FedEx, Indianapolis Airport, Johnson & Johnson, Kuehne+Nagel, LifeConEx, Lufthansa Cargo, Marken, Paris-Vatry Airport, Roche, Sanofi, SDV, Sensitech, Swiss, Swissport, UK MHRA, United, UPS and WHO.