The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has taken a significant step forward in digitalising the dangerous goods supply chain following the adoption of the e-Dangerous Goods Declaration (eDGD) standards.
The standards are an electronic approach to manage the IATA Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), leveraging industry initiatives to digitalise data and embrace data sharing platform principles.
The benefits of implementing e-DGD with clearly defined data governance include improved transparency, traceability and data quality, which will improve process efficiency and reduce errors and delays.
The e-DGD was developed through the IATA Cargo Services Conference with key support provided by proof of concept partners – Air France KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and Cargologic confirming industry requirements.
IATA global head of cargo, Glyn Hughes says: “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.”
Air France Cargo executive vice president, Elisabeth Herelier says: “By using data sharing principles, the e-DGD brings a new opportunity to introduce further automation and artificial intelligence exploration in air transport processes.
Our ultimate goal is to increase quality, transparency, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Air France-KLM Cargo is proud to be among the inspirers and architects of this achievement at CDG airport.”
Lufthansa Cargo vice president of global handling, Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt says: “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.”
Swiss WorldCargo head of cargo, Ashwin Bhat says: “e-DGD is a powerful step forward for the air cargo industry, and the digitisation in this offering can translate to direct benefits for Swiss WorldCargo customers.
“We anticipate that it will ensure a standardised, successful way of working, thus continuing the efficient collaboration between all our partners and stakeholders within the supply chain.”
