The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV), a pioneering initiative that has significantly enhanced quality, safety, and compliance across the global air cargo supply chain.
Launched in 2014 with CEIV Pharma—developed to address the complexities of transporting temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals—the CEIV program has since expanded into a comprehensive suite of certifications. These now include:
- CEIV Pharma (pharmaceuticals)
- CEIV Live Animals (animal transport)
- CEIV Fresh (perishable goods)
- CEIV Lithium Batteries (dangerous goods)
Built on globally recognized standards and independent validation, the CEIV program ensures consistent operational excellence, fosters transparency, and drives cross-industry confidence.
A Decade of Impact
Over the past 10 years, CEIV has:
- Established a global network of 699 certified companies, including 85 airlines and coverage of 250,000 trade lanes.
- Developed 25 airport communities that unite airlines, ground handlers, freight forwarders, and regulators around global best practices.
- Trained 10,000 professionals and supported them with over 100,000 IATA manuals to maintain high standards of operational excellence.
- Achieved an impressive 99% certification renewal rate, underscoring the program’s value and industry trust.
“CEIV has redefined the handling of special cargo shipments,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo. “It has built a foundation of trust, transparency, and technical excellence across the supply chain—driving real-world benefits such as improved compliance, a stronger quality culture, enhanced collaboration, and increased customer confidence. As the program evolves, it remains a vital tool for meeting the industry’s changing demands.”
Certification for the Future
CEIV continues to evolve in step with the air cargo industry’s dynamic needs. Innovations such as remote training and virtual assessments are increasing accessibility while maintaining rigorous standards.
IATA is also working closely with regulatory authorities to elevate the global recognition of CEIV certifications and to expand into new cargo categories, ensuring the program remains a leading force in logistics standardization.
“As global supply chains grow more complex, the need for reliable, harmonized standards has never been greater,” added Sullivan. “CEIV will continue to support innovation, ensure compliance, and strengthen safety throughout the air cargo ecosystem.”
For industry stakeholders seeking certified partners, CEIV-certified companies are easily searchable via IATA’s ONE Source platform—the definitive directory of validated air cargo suppliers.
