At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparedness for the safe transport of vaccines becomes crucial. Once the vaccines become available, air cargo operators will be extremely solicited to ensure quick and efficient delivery. Among the associated logistical needs is the use of location tracking and temperature monitoring devices, to guarantee the integrity of the vaccines and to facilitate shipment monitoring.
Authorising the use of cargo tracking devices on board the aircraft is a responsibility of each operator. To ensure that they do not create a risk to safety, the criteria of AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.140 of the Air Operations Regulation (hereinafter called ‘the Air Ops Regulation’) have to be met.
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and recommendations to facilitate the evaluation of cargo tracking devices used in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic for compliance with the Air Ops Regulation. It provides technical considerations related to electromagnetic interferences (EMI) and batteries. Passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, not powered by any battery or external power source, may be considered as not being PED and can be authorised without any assessment.
