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May 8, 2012 (newstodate): The process in Denmark for shippers to register for approval as Known Consignors according to the EU Director No 185 is proceeding - but still at a slow pace.
So far inspectors from the Danish authority responsible for the process, Trafikstyrelsen has approved only three Danish companies, with Viking Life Equipment coming first in March 2012, later followed by Danish companies BASF and Vitrex.
-On one hand, the process is thus still slow seen against expectations for some 250-300 companies and localities in Denmark to eventually require certification as Known Consignors. On the other hand the attention in the market towards certification is increasing, says Laurits Nielsen, Trafikstyrelsen, in charge of the program in Denmark.
-About 80 companies are currently in contact with Trafikstyrelsen, and we have daily communications with new callers concerning questions arising in the process.
-Obviously, both we and the Danish companies are still in a learning curve. It has for instance come as a surprise to us to learn that the process within the companies is in many cases much more complex than anticipated. As companies dig into the matter, issues emerge that were not expected, reflecting that the certification has a deep impact on company policies as to human resources and corporate culture.
-Also questions on how actually to secure the airfreight, once scanned, within locations raise new questions to be solved.
-After all, companies with limited or infrequent air cargo shipments will also realize that investing in certification may not be the optimal solution, leaving scanning instead to cargo terminals. And even companies with larger cargo volumes and more frequent shipments may rely mainly on couriers and integrators that will scan their shipments themselves anyway.
-But in the end, we will see the number of certifications increase and the issue is certainly gaining in attention from the industry, says Mr Nielsen.
So far inspectors from the Danish authority responsible for the process, Trafikstyrelsen has approved only three Danish companies, with Viking Life Equipment coming first in March 2012, later followed by Danish companies BASF and Vitrex.
-On one hand, the process is thus still slow seen against expectations for some 250-300 companies and localities in Denmark to eventually require certification as Known Consignors. On the other hand the attention in the market towards certification is increasing, says Laurits Nielsen, Trafikstyrelsen, in charge of the program in Denmark.
-About 80 companies are currently in contact with Trafikstyrelsen, and we have daily communications with new callers concerning questions arising in the process.
-Obviously, both we and the Danish companies are still in a learning curve. It has for instance come as a surprise to us to learn that the process within the companies is in many cases much more complex than anticipated. As companies dig into the matter, issues emerge that were not expected, reflecting that the certification has a deep impact on company policies as to human resources and corporate culture.
-Also questions on how actually to secure the airfreight, once scanned, within locations raise new questions to be solved.
-After all, companies with limited or infrequent air cargo shipments will also realize that investing in certification may not be the optimal solution, leaving scanning instead to cargo terminals. And even companies with larger cargo volumes and more frequent shipments may rely mainly on couriers and integrators that will scan their shipments themselves anyway.
-But in the end, we will see the number of certifications increase and the issue is certainly gaining in attention from the industry, says Mr Nielsen.