Panalpina announced that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have recognised the company’s Brussels business unit as CEIV Pharma Certified.
Frank Raeckelboom, Panalpina’s Belgium head of quality, health, safety and environment, said of the announcement, “Unlike the recent shattering news that came from Brussels International Airport Zaventem, this certification is definitely good news.” He added, “The certification is yet another proof of our excellent handling capabilities for pharmaceuticals and medical products here in Brussels.”
According to the announcement, Brussels is Panalpina’s first station to have obtained this certificate, which is becoming the benchmark for air freight related cross-dock operations for healthcare products. The fully GDP (Good Distribution Practice) compliant and TAPA-A (Transported Asset Protection Association) certified facility is split into two main areas. An area of 940 sq m, with a rack-storage capacity of 328 (Euro) pallets and an additional capacity of 450 pallets that can be placed on the floor, is to be dedicated to cargo that has to be kept at ‘Controlled Room Temperature’ between 15°C and 25°C. Cargo that needs to be kept at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C is expected to be stored in a cold cell of 32 sq m with a storage capacity of 25 pallets.
Two organisations have now certified Panalpina Brussels, where GDP compliant operations commenced in August 2012, from a healthcare perspective: Belgium’s Federal Agency of Medical and Health Products (FAMHP) and IATA.
Panalpina, present in Belgium since 1968, employs over 170 staff in Brussels, Antwerp and Liège.
Source: Panalpina
