Hong Kong saw dnata become the first ground services provider to gain full accreditation under IATA’s CEIV lithium battery certification programme across its global network of 11 stations.

The latest certifications were for its operations in Singapore, Belgium, the UK, and UAE, which were awarded during a ceremony at the recent World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong.

dnata said the full accreditation provides a guarantee of quality, safety and consistency throughout its operations when it comes to safe and compliant handling of lithium batteries. The programme also underlines the company’s commitment to meeting highest safety standards and rigorous regulatory requirements in the handling of potentially hazardous materials

dnata started the CEIV lithium battery programme in April 2023 with completed assessments at its stations in Australia and Pakistan. Less than 12 months later, it has now become the first ground services provider to certify all 11 of its worldwide stations, which all took part in a comprehensive audit process.

In recent years, dnata has significantly invested in training and process improvement to further enhance safety and improve efficiency in the handling of dangerous goods. In 2021, it became the first global air services provider to adopt IATA’s Dangerous Goods Autocheck (DG Autocheck) platform for the acceptance of dangerous goods shipments. In December 2023, dnata was further accredited with IATA’s Corporate Certification for competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) for Dangerous Goods.

“The volume of air shipments containing lithium batteries is rising,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

“Ensuring these items are transported safely and efficiently is a top priority for the industry.

“Key to this is complying with regulatory changes and the integration of best practices in lithium battery handling across the supply chain.”