The deadline for compliance with the European Union’s ACC3 (Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport) requirement has now passed on 1 July, meaning any carriers who do not gain accreditation for their overseas cargo facilities will be banned from transporting cargo to any EU airport. The ACC3 requirement impacts an estimated 3,000 cargo stations at airports outside the EU together with some 2,000 regulated agents and known consignors.

According to the requirement, all cargo facilities have to be security checked by EU-accredited independent valuators ensuring they complied with EU provisions aimed at ensuring a secure supply chain. These security measures are based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Annex 17 requirements. Depending on the airports’, cargo handlers’ and carriers’ current business operations and current security measures, this may mean that carriers will need to update their security programme, processes and screening equipment.

A key part of the ACC3 process involves ground handlers and forwarders who themselves can become licensed as regulated agents, once they have been validated as RA3 entities.

Despite major efforts by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in both raising awareness and training the vast majority of the approximately 80 EU authorised independent validators, awareness in the air cargo industry has been spotty.

In a surprise move the EU announced only about a month ago that it would grant a six month extension to carriers if they had sound reasons for not meeting the 1 July deadline. At this time is not known if any carriers have been denied access to EU airports as a result of not meeting the ACC3 accreditation deadline.