Building Cold Chain Quality with IATA’s Chapter 17

The air cargo cold chain is like a symphony orchestra, with many performers playing in harmony as a cohesive group. Seamlessly playing as one not only demands professionals skilled in their respective instruments; it is also requires that all participants read from the same score. In the pharmaceutical cold chain, safely and effectively moving time- and temperature-sensitive products means all stakeholders need to follow the same standards, regulations and best practices.

As discussed in my series on enhancing cold chain quality , there are numerous aspects to safely handling and transporting temperature-sensitive cargo. As air cargo stakeholders work to develop their cold chain, they should incorporate and follow the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) common set of rules and regulations for how the air cargo community handles delicate, life-saving medicines. Chapter 17 of IATA’s Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) , "Air Transport Logistics for Time and Temperature Sensitive Healthcare Products," contains the indispensable guidelines for cold chain practices that consistently protect pharmaceutical products on their trip to the patient.

IATA’s Time and Temperature Task Force (TTTF) developed and updates Chapter 17 to ensure industry standards keep pace with developments in pharmaceutical products handling, cold chain technology, and varying regulations around the world. While IATA is a trade organization representing the world’s airlines, Chapter 17 is relevant to all cold chain partners, including shippers, forwarders, ground handlers, packing vendors, regulators and many others.

Chapter 17 includes valuable insights and instruction for building an effective quality management system (QMS), and it also details how air cargo stakeholders can develop training programs that foster safe handling and rapid cargo transfer between transportation modes. Just as important is consistent, detailed shipment documentation across the entire cold chain. This is particularly important as customs regimes and other regulators step up requirements for evidencing that cold chain pharmaceuticals have remained within a viable temperature range throughout the journey. To support this, IATA implemented a mandatory Time and Temperature Sensitive label , which enables cargo to be clearly marked and recognized as delicate and temperature-sensitive, regardless of where the shipment is in the cold chain.

Last year, IATA also added a mandatory checklist for accepting cold chain cargo, called the Acceptance Checklist Requirements for Time and Temperature Sensitive Healthcare Shipments . This checklist helps carriers and ground handling agents – who have not yet implemented such controls – ensure minimum checks for healthcare shipments before accepting the cargo. This is yet another element in building industry-wide cold chain quality, ensuring all stakeholders are following the same standards.

While pharmaceutical cold chain best practices are essential for protecting medicines (and therefore patient health), following common industry standards makes business sense as well. In using and referencing Chapter 17, the air cargo industry can enhance collaboration and elevate the level at which stakeholders guard temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals against threats in transit. This improves efficiency and reduces costs, avoiding delays and wasted product due to temperature fluctuations.

Another key factor in providing consistency throughout cold chain logistics is effective communication between shippers, forwarders, carriers and others, not only during transit but throughout the planning phases and before cargo enters the cold chain. Shippers, forwarders and carriers should continually collaborate to build a cold chain that dependably protects pharmaceutical viability. This means aligning respective training, documentation and procedures, and Chapter 17 contains the critical details that can inform and advance how stakeholders plan, communicate and move shipments.

While Chapter 17 holds important details for cold chain logistics, it is not the only set of best practices and regulations. Indeed, logistics partners working in the cold chain should look closely at guidance from other regulatory bodies and industry groups, as well as the varying requirements of customs regimes around the world. There is no shortage of information on how to build a reliable cold chain; the challenge for air cargo is for shippers, forwarders, carriers and others to implement complimentary standards for effective cold chain practices and procedures.

Safely transporting temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals takes work, preparation, communication and industry-accepted practices for moving life-saving medicines to patients around the world. IATA’s Chapter 17 can help ensure all cold chain stakeholders are playing from the same sheet of music.

Building Cold Chain Quality with IATA’s Chapter 17

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