WFS Brussels receives IATA CEIV Pharma certification

December 5, 2017: Paris head-quartered cargo handler, Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) obtains IATA CEIV Pharma certification in Brussels. And this center in Brussels has become the first of WFS European cargo stations to achieve CEIV certification. 

The world’s largest cargo handler is in the process of certification for either Good Distribution Practice (GDP) or IATA CEIV Pharma at major locations across its network, which also includes building new facilities at stations including Paris, Milan and Copenhagen. 

According to a release from the company, pharma volumes handled by WFS in Brussels rose by some 170 percent in 2016 and are expected to increase in 2017. Volumes in the first 10 months of the year have already exceeded three million kilos. 

Marc Claesen, regional VP, WFS in Belgium, said, “We are proud to be the first WFS station in Europe with CEIV accreditation and to be supporting our customers and the efforts of Brussels Airport to create the world’s first CEIV-certified airport community.” 

John Batten, EVP, Cargo Europe Middle East Africa & Asia, WFS added, “Delivering further improvements to our pharma handling services at major stations is one of our key areas of focus, and this will continue in 2018 with investments and GDP or CEIV certifications at more of our locations with high pharma volumes.”

To manage its growing pharma volumes, WFS has installed two new dedicated pharma cells in its main warehouse in Brussels to help maintain the integrity of pharma products within 15-25°C and 2-8°C temperature-controlled environments. As part of its successful CEIV certification programme, it has also adopted specific pharma handling procedures and provided training for its staff working in the upgraded facility.