[160712.EN.AIR] GACA Calls For Greater Industry Cooperation To Promote Air Cargo Security

THE industry advisory group, Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG), has warned that the issuing of ad hoc directives and potentially impractical rules by national regulatory bodies seeking to implement advance electronic information would have an adverse and costly impact on air cargo security.

The group, formed in November 2010, has called for regulators to work closely with the air cargo industry to develop rules and regulations in this area. GACAG is also calling for broad industry participation in the ongoing Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) pilot under way in the United States, and for all parties to consider the results of that pilot in developing global standards.

Michael Steen, chairman of GACAG, said: "We are a global industry and it is critical that we work with regulators to develop a global, harmonised approach in this area. We believe there will be great value from our industry members' participation in the ACAS pilot in the US, and on drawing lessons from that pilot towards a globalised and harmonised outcome."

In its new position paper on Air Cargo Advance Electronic Information for Security Purposes, GACAG says it fully endorses and supports efforts to constantly improve security in the international air cargo supply chain and supports the use of advance electronic information for risk assessment purposes in accordance with the World Customs Organisation's SAFE Framework of Standards and other applicable international security standards. However, GACAG warns against national authorities taking a non-uniform approach to the implementation of advance electronic data requirements for security, stating that this could result in added bureaucracy, additional costs and less predictability for the aviation sector.

Mr Steen added: "There has been a recent significant increase in the number of countries seeking to implement advance electronic information but as some countries may not be following the advance electronic information standards published in the WCO SAFE Framework, it is creating confusion and additional costs to the aviation sector. In their respective efforts to further secure the air cargo supply chain, some countries have been releasing ad hoc directives - including consideration of advance electronic information prior to loading - without adequate time for discussion, resulting in regulations that the industry may be unable to fulfil."

GACAG is recommending a series of measures that need to be addressed including a call for authorities to recognise that different segments of the air cargo industry have very different business models. It says advance data requirements for security risk assessment purposes should allow for multiple originators of filings based on the availability of the information, while also limiting multiple submissions of the same information. It also suggests that importers, exporters or their agents should provide authorities with goods declarations (e.g. house waybill information) for security risk assessment purposes as early as possible.

Source : HKSG.