The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has comprehensively certified Lufthansa Cargo according to the CEIV Pharma standard.
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CEIV stands for “Center of Excellence for Independent Validators” and confirms the highest quality standards for the transportation of time- and temperature-sensitive healthcare products. In addition to airline processes, the certification for the first time also includes IATA’s corporate approach, under which a carrier’s quality management and processes are assessed holistically across a dedicated portion of the network.
The corporate certificate was presented during this year’s World Cargo Symposium in Lima by Brendan Sullivan, IATA Global Head of Cargo, to Oliver von Götz, Vice President Global Fulfillment Management at Lufthansa Cargo.
In addition to the central pharma hubs in Frankfurt, Munich and Chicago, the certification also includes selected own stations such as Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Mexico City and New York. Numerous independently certified stations operated by ground handling agents (GHAs) complement the network, giving Lufthansa Cargo access to one of the world’s largest pharma networks. The audits took place between November 2025 and March 2026.
Strong foundation for global pharma logistics
Lufthansa Cargo is now looking back on ten consecutive years of CEIV Pharma-certified expertise. Since the initial certification in 2016, quality standards have been continuously enhanced and the global pharma network has been systematically expanded.
Today, Lufthansa Cargo operates a network of more than 350 stations worldwide, including around 230 stations offering “Passive Temp Support” and around 120 stations providing “Active Temp Control.” Standardized processes, specially trained employees and continuous quality monitoring along the transportation chain form the foundation for the safe transport of temperature-sensitive and time-critical pharmaceutical shipments.
The current CEIV Pharma certification is valid through April 2029.