TIACA urges advanced data air regulators to avoid using penalties

New position paper from air cargo organization says advanced data regulations from U.S., E.U., and Canada have largely improved air security, but that regulations shouldn’t harm supply chains.    The International Air Cargo Association this week said the pre-loading of advance cargo information undertaken by the United States, European Union and Canada since 2010 have provided an additional layer of security in air cargo and passenger transport.
   “Regulators must continue to work closely with all members of the air cargo supply chain to ensure impending advance data regulations enhance security without impeding cargo flows,” a new position paper from TIACA said.
   TIACA’s paper, published this week, advocates that advance data systems adopt an outcome-oriented approach, and be flexible enough to adapt to diverse supply chain business models such as express, general cargo, and post.
   “This will ensure that all supply chain models are able to provide the necessary data, and that the data can be analyzed and security enhanced, while commercial flows are unimpeded,” TIACA Secretary General Doug Brittin said in a statement. “Regulations must take into account the fact that industry is providing data to the best of its knowledge, at an early stage of the supply chain, in order to promote the shared objective of enhancing security. Because of this, regulators should not look to apply penalties for any errors or updates to PLACI, as data is being provided on a best efforts basis.”
   TIACA said the so-called “7+1” data set currently being piloted is sufficient for civil aviation risk assessment and can be provided early in the supply chain.
   “But regulators must enable all relevant parties including carriers and others, such as regulated agents or postal operators in the supply chain, to submit data in order to encourage industry to provide it as early as possible,” TIACA said. “TIACA also calls for a portal or other easily accessible system for small and medium forwarders to use when submitting data, to avoid the complications and IT costs to connect with existing automation systems.”
   A copy of the full report is available at tiaca.org.