In today's rapidly advancing healthcare landscape, maintaining the integrity of the supply chain is more crucial than ever. Healthcare manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to keep up with the accelerated pace without sacrificing quality, and areas like cold chain freight forwarding play a key role. This specialised process ensures healthcare products are transported within a precise temperature range, safeguarding their efficacy during their journey to patients awaiting their vital treatments, therapies, or medications.
The Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) certification represents a gold standard for preserving the quality of essential air freight. This certification was created in 2014 and is recognised globally and awarded by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA ensures pharmaceuticals, including critical vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, are transported safely and efficiently, minimising risks associated with temperature deviations.
The Certification Process
The purpose of the CEIV Pharma certification is to provide a standardised framework for healthcare logistics providers to follow and help resolve compliance challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. Obtaining CEIV Pharma certification is a significant achievement, requiring a thorough validation process that spans nearly eight months and is divided into two phases. Logistics providers must undergo a thorough assessment of their processes, procedures, equipment and staff training. The CEIV certification also must be renewed every three years to ensure compliance with the latest industry standards.
This rigorous certification process, from pre-validation to final validation, ensures that every facet of operations, including handling and transportation, adheres to stringent global standards. The certification process aims to help logistics providers optimise their operations and streamline workflows, ensuring compliance and improved supply chain efficiency.
The Value of CEIV Certification
- Enhanced Trust and Credibility: The CEIV Pharma certification assures freight forwarders have the necessary capabilities and expertise to handle sensitive air freight with care. By partnering with a CEIV-certified logistics provider, healthcare companies can be confident their shipments will reach their destination on time and in optimal condition.
- Standardised Framework: The CEIV Pharma certification enforces a standardised framework that enhances the overall quality, safety and efficiency of pharmaceutical logistics operations. Standardisation minimises disruptions and guarantees consistent quality when entering new markets or altering supply chain routes.
- Risk Reduction and Safety:CEIV certification helps regulate processes, mitigate risks and ensure the quality of air freight transportation. This proactive approach helps prevent costly errors and enhances the overall safety of logistics operations ensuring the highest quality of service for all stakeholders in the healthcare supply chain.
- Competitive Advantage:By receiving this certification, air freight forwarders differentiate themselves from their competitors and stand out in the industry. Having CEIV Pharma certifications in strategic locations across a global network gives logistics providers the adaptability their customers expect in today's market even amidst external pressures.
At UPS Healthcare, we continuously make investment in our global cold chain freight offering by expanding our CEIV certifications in strategic global locations. These certifications reflect our commitment to precision logistics and quality, building trust with our customers to navigate complex logistical challenges. Learn more about our CEIV-certified facilities here.
UPS Healthcare® cold chain capabilities cover the supply chain from end-to-end, including clinical to commercial logistics needs. We provide comprehensive cold chain storage, packaging, and shipping solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device and laboratory diagnostics industries. Our cold chain freight forwarding services are designed to accommodate various temperature ranges and time definite transportation solutions, to help ensure your healthcare cargo arrives safe, sound and on time.
For more information on how UPS Healthcare can assist you with your logistics challenges, contact us.
