CAL Group first to be all-around CEIV-Pharma certified

Tel-Aviv-based CAL Group recently became the first logistics group to earn IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV-Pharma) certification for its airline, ground handling and road-feeder operations.

The CEIV-Pharma certification applies to the group’s hub at Liege Airport, including facilities, equipment, operations and staff. CAL’s road-feeder services are through a partnership with Jan de Rijk, which is already CEIV-certified for pharmaceuticals. In order to obtain the certification, the group’s cool-chain process and facilities were verified that they met compliance with international standards, and that personnel involved were trained to handle pharma products.

 “The global pharmaceutical logistics market is valued at over US$64 billion a year, and new regulations and technology have made it essential to define a standard for pharma transportation, in compliance with international regulations. CEIV will define a single standard across the entire pharma logistics chain,” said Eyal Zagagi, CEO of the CAL Group.

The CEIV-Pharma program was developed as a new initiative “to help foster air cargo’s competitiveness in this growing segment,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA’s head of cargo. “CAL demonstrated an extremely high level of expertise and was very much ready for the validation.”

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