CEIV PHARMA AUDIT PREPARATION · Aero Support Group FZCO · Updated 23 October 2026
What is CEIV Pharma?
CEIV Pharma is IATA’s certification programme for handling pharmaceutical products in the air cargo supply chain. It was created with Brussels Airport and is open to organisations of all sizes. It aligns air cargo handling with the expectations of pharmaceutical shippers and Good Distribution Practice, and certified companies are listed in IATA’s ONE Source registry.
How certification works
- Training: at least two staff complete IATA’s course on audit, quality and risk management for temperature-controlled cargo.
- Assessment: an IATA independent validator spends three to four days on site and produces a gap analysis against the checklist in Appendix D of the CEIV Pharma audit guidelines in the IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR).
- Corrective action plan: the organisation closes the gaps; the validator checks the plan and evidence.
- Certification: IATA issues the assessment report and certificate.
- Recertification: typically every three years, with refresher training for key staff and a new assessment.
What assessors look at
- A quality management system covering temperature-controlled cargo, with document control and management review.
- Risk assessments for each handling process and lane.
- Temperature-controlled facilities with mapping, monitoring, alarms and backup power.
- Calibration of temperature loggers and sensors.
- Procedures for acceptance, storage, build-up, ramp transfer and delivery, including time out of controlled environment.
- Training records, deviation management and CAPA.
- Oversight of subcontractors such as truckers and ramp handlers.
Where organisations struggle
- A QMS written for certification that staff do not use day to day.
- Tarmac exposure times that are not measured or controlled.
- Alarm responses not tested out of hours.
- Deviations recorded but not investigated or trended.
- Truckers and subcontracted handlers outside the quality system.
How ASG prepares you
- Gap assessment against the TCR checklist before the IATA validator’s visit.
- QMS, risk assessments and procedures written around your actual operation.
- Temperature mapping plans and calibration programmes.
- Training for operational staff beyond the two IATA-trained managers.
- Corrective action plans and evidence after the assessment.
- Recertification readiness.
ASG prepares organisations for CEIV Pharma. The assessment is carried out by IATA’s independent validators.
Conclusion
CEIV Pharma shows pharmaceutical shippers that an organisation can keep their products within temperature limits from acceptance to delivery. Passing depends on a quality system staff actually use, facilities with proven temperature control and subcontractors brought into the same discipline. ASG helps organisations reach that point.
Frequently asked questions
Center of Excellence for Independent Validators. CEIV Pharma is IATA’s certification for pharmaceutical logistics in the air cargo supply chain.
Organisations across the air cargo supply chain, including airlines, ground handlers, freight forwarders, airports and trucking companies.
The checklist in Appendix D of the CEIV Pharma audit guidelines in the IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR).
IATA does not publish a fixed period on its programme page; in practice certification is typically renewed every three years with a new assessment.
Key takeaways
- CEIV Pharma is IATA's certification for pharmaceutical air cargo handling
- At least two staff must complete IATA training before assessment
- Assessment uses the TCR Appendix D checklist
- Temperature mapping and deviation management are key evidence
- Typically renewed every three years
Preparing for CEIV Pharma?
Tell us about your facility and lanes. ASG will assess readiness against the IATA checklist.