Other Activities
Portable electronic devices (PEDs)
The ICAO Council established a multidisciplinary Cargo Safety Group (CSG) to address the potential impact on safety of the prohibition by some Member States of the carriage of large portable electronic devices (PEDs) in the cabin due to security concerns. CSG was tasked to evaluate existing aircraft capabilities, identify the safety hazards posed by the carriage of PEDs in checked baggage and assess the associated safety risks. While work on the safety risk evaluation is ongoing by different panels supporting the CSG, States have been provided with guidance, issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and encouraged to advise operators to take the guidance into consideration when conducting safety risk assessments related to the carriage of PEDs.
Lithium batteries
The Council approved amendments to the 2017-2018 Edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Technical Instructions, Doc 9284) which require that PEDS containing lithium batteries in checked baggage be completely switched off and that measures be taken to protect PEDs from damage and unintentional activation.
Work on an overarching strategy to mitigate risks associated with the carriage of lithium batteries by air continued. This included the development of a performance-based package standard by an SAE committee (established at the request of ICAO), provisions and guidance material for operators to conduct safety risk assessments on the carriage of cargo, and improved hazard communication.
