‘Indian DG training institutes must adopt & adhere to IATA’s norms’

Afzal Malbarwala, Managing Director, Galaxy Freight shares, “There is a need for skilled manpower in the dangerous goods logistics business be it handling, or transportation among others. Also, Indian DG training institutes should hire skilled and experienced personnel who are qualified and know what they must do well. The institutes must provide practical training not mere bookish knowledge. I feel, Indian agents must get IATA certified, I know it is a costly process, but it is important to ensure safety of not only the goods but also the persons involved in the business. IATA’s way of teaching and curriculum (common for institutes worldwide) is completely different. Indian institutes must adopt that.  IATA approved training schools have staff trained and approved by IATA and only they are authorised to train.
Certificates are issued by IATA CANADA for successful candidate will get DG training programme 7.1 accepted worldwide which is not given by DGCA approved schools. IATA and ICAO work closely to provide the best standards of services. True, Indian DG training institutes are DGCA-approved, but there are certain important norms formulated by the IATA, which Indian training institutes and agents must know and strictly follow. DGCA must introduce one rule book for all, covering international and national mandates for DG business. In India, half of the DG handlers are not even aware of the international regulations involved; the airlines too must follow these norms. Another important point is, in foreign countries there is a rule that only those who are dealing in dangerous goods require IATA certification, while others do not. But in India, this is also not applicable.”