The 6th joint IATA-UPU webinar held on Wednesday 15 May, focused on the overall readiness for, expectations of, and challenges posed by compliance with the European Union’s Import Control System 2, Release 2 (EU ICS2 R2). The webinar also delved into the complexities of safe transport and handling of lithium batteries in the postal supply chain, providing insights into various ways to ensure compliance and minimize risk.

The event attracted over 500 participants. The speakers included representatives from IATA Cargo Safety and Dangerous Goods, International Post Corporation (IPC), IATA Airmail Board (AMB) Member from Lufthansa Cargo, UPU Postal Member from Brazil (Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telégrafos), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) UL Research Institutes.

The discussion centered around the EU ICS2 R2, which aims to enhance the safety and security of international trade by requiring advanced electronic data submission for all goods entering the EU. The speakers shared their experiences and lessons learned from the mail, in-transit, and transshipment proof of concept, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by the new system.

In addition to the EU ICS2, the 2nd part of the webinar also explored the safe transport and handling of lithium batteries, which pose unique risks due to their potential to ignite or explode during transport. The speakers shared various measures that can be taken to ensure compliance with regulations and minimize the risks of accidents, including proper packaging, labeling, and documentation.

IATA highlighted the topic “Batteries in the Airmail, Prohibited vs. Permitted” covering the UN Recommendations and Changes in 2023 relating to Sodium-Ion Batteries during the webinar to draw the audience’s awareness to prepare for potential challenges.

The joint IATA-UPU webinar series aims to promote safe, secure, and sustainable airmail operations for the industry. The next webinar is planned for later in 2024, continuing the effort to raise awareness and facilitate compliance with evolving regulations and best practices in the postal sector.