Certification · Last verified
Center of Excellence for Independent Validators
CEIV is IATA's certification family for special cargo: four programs — Pharma, Live Animals, Fresh, and Lithium Batteries — validate handling standards. CEIV Pharma, the oldest, launched in 2014 and reached a reported global footprint of 699 companies, including 85 airlines, by April 2025.
- Class
- Certification
- Owner
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Last verified
What it is
In IATA's own words, "The Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification program was created to help organizations throughout the air cargo supply chain get on the right track to achieve operational excellence in the handling and transportation of special cargo."
As of IATA's 17 April 2025 press release (marking CEIV Pharma's 10th anniversary), the CEIV family has four programs: CEIV Pharma (launched 2014), CEIV Live Animals, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Lithium Batteries. That release describes the programs as "built on the foundation of global standards and independent validation."
CEIV Pharma's full name is confirmed on its own page: "Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics."
Class note: unlike IOSA and ISAGO, IATA's own terminology here is certification, not audit/registry — the special-cargo page and the CEIV Pharma page both use "certification" for the outcome.
Who owns it
CEIV is owned and run by IATA (International Air Transport Association).
Who assesses it
CEIV Pharma's page describes the assessment visit: the assessor visits facilities for "three (3) to four (4) days." To maintain certification, "your key personnel will need to complete refresher training, and a new assessment will be carried out."
Certified organizations are listed on IATA's own platform: "IATA's ONE Source platform, the industry's reference for validated suppliers." The April 2025 press release reports a "global footprint of 699 companies … including 85 airlines."
Levels
- CEIV Pharma —
"Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics" — launched in 2014, per IATA's 17 April 2025 press release marking its 10th anniversary.
- CEIV Live Animals
- CEIV Fresh
- CEIV Lithium Batteries
Sources
- IATA — CEIV special cargo certification (scheme owner) ↗ — accessed
- IATA — press release, CEIV Pharma 10th anniversary (17 April 2025) ↗ — accessed
- IATA — CEIV Pharma program page ↗ — accessed
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This page is for information only; it does not accredit, certify or endorse any organisation. Requirements and programs change — always confirm against the primary source linked above.