GL?s ?cool chain? gets industry support

Some 65 representatives from 35 of the world?s leading companies engaged in perishable cargo logistics welcomed the new ?Cool Chain Quality Indicator? (CCQI) standard at its first public presentation in Billund, Denmark on 24 May. The occasion was the 2004 annual meeting of the Cool Chain Association (CCA). CCQIs, which were developed jointly by CCA and GL, provide a means for gauging the reliability, quality and proficiency of companies involved in the transport, handling and storage of perishable and temperature-sensitive products (PTSP). Germanischer Lloyd Certification is the exclusive certification body for the new standards.

Delegates to the CCA Meeting in Billund recognised that the new point system incorporated in the CCQI standards provides an innovative, reliable and accurate means of highlighting and tracking quality in the cool chain logistics supply chain.

The majority of the companies present signalled their commitment to implementing and certifying this new quality measure within their own supply chains, demonstrating the importance the industry attaches to the new scheme.

In the first phase of implementation emphasis is being placed on introducing the standards within the air freight, road transport and warehousing sectors. Companies in the air transport industry, including carriers, airport handlers and distribution companies, have been particularly proactive and are pushing towards the certification of entire perishable cargo supply chains.

In the second implementation phase the standards will be extended to apply to ocean transport, seaports and terminal operations. This effort is already underway. CCA has launched a new working committee comprising relevant association members which is customising the standards for the sea transport mode.