CLECAT REPRESENTS FORWARDERS AT IATA ICS2 EVENT
Earlier this week, CLECAT was invited to represent the freight forwarding industry at the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2023 PLACI Compliance Requirements Session in Geneva. CLECAT presented freight forwarders’ preparations and concerns regarding the new EU Import Control System 2.0 (ICS2), as well as global Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) programmes.
During the first day of the conference, which was dedicated to ICS2 Release 2 for aviation, Mr Andreas Wilhelm, Chair of CLECAT’s Supply Chain Security Institute, presented the actions that CLECAT has taken to prepare its membership for ICS2, including boosting awareness among members and extensive work with European Commission’s DG TAXUD and industry stakeholders on legal and functional aspects. Mr Wilhelm also presented ongoing efforts of the industry to prepare for ICS2 Release 2 and issues encountered in the process, including technical and operational issues. He focused on the three different filing options (full carrier filing, multiple filing, and autonomous freight forwarder filing), whilst highlighting the role and responsibilities of freight forwarder involvement in ICS2. Lastly, he presented the key priorities for the way forward, including increasing the worldwide communication (particularly to SMEs), the importance of private sector cooperation, and most importantly the need for accurate data.
On the second day, which focused on global PLACI programmes, Mr Wilhelm joined a panel discussion with airlines, ground handlers and IT Service Providers to discuss the impact of the Canadian, UAE and UK PLACI programmes, which were presented earlier in the day by representatives of the respective regulators. In this regard, global alignment and harmonisation of security regimes and related data requirements were highlighted.
CLECAT continues its cooperation with the European Commission and stakeholders involved in ICS2, as well as assistance to member freight forwarders, to ensure a successful rollout of ICS2 Release 2 for aviation, as well as Release 3 affecting the road-, rail-, and maritime sector.