New "AIR ELIGIBLE" Sticker for Airline Shipments
A new section, § 172.323, would be added to incorporate an air
eligibility marking requirement into the HMR for all non-bulk packages
offered for transportation or transported by aircraft. The marking
would certify compliance with all applicable air transport package
requirements, including pressure differential requirements, package
markings and labels, inner packaging limits, selection of appropriate
types of packagings, use of closure instructions for inner packagings,
application of the cargo aircraft handling label (when applicable), and
proper classification.
The ICAO has adopted this requirement in the 2003--2004 edition of the
ICAO Technical Instructions, and a number of packaging vendors and
military shippers are currently marking packagings to indicate that
they meet the additional air requirements through the use of an air
eligibility symbol, such as the one proposed, or by use of the
statement "Air Eligible." In addition to consistency with the ICAO
Technical Instructions, RSPA believes that the use of an air
eligibility mark would be beneficial in heightening shipper awareness
and responsibility for meeting the additional air transport package
requirements. Adoption of this requirement would reduce the inadvertent
acceptance for transportation by aircraft of packages that conform only
to highway, rail or vessel requirements.
The shipper would be responsible for the application of the marking,
but would not be required to physically place it on the package. The
marking could be applied by using a durable sticker or label,
preprinting it on the packaging, or drawing it on the package by hand.
The marking would be required to be durable, legible, and of such size
relative to the packaging as to be readily visible. Preprinting by the
package manufacturer would require the manufacturer and the shipper to
closely coordinate to ensure that the package meets the applicable air
transport requirements. The shipper would be responsible for ensuring
that the package meets the applicable air transport requirements.
Here's are some examples of this new marking (click on image for vendor):
