Current Issues

LAG’s and security

 

Aviation Security: An ever-evolving agenda

 

Aviation security regulation has great influence on the retailing activities in the security restricted airside zone of airports. This in particular in relation to Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) into which category many products sold in duty-free and travel retail stores fall. The industry is closely monitoring the changes in aviation security and is working proactively with stakeholders and EU policy-makers to develop appropriate actions in response to the increased security challenges faced by the air travel sector.  

CEETRA supports legislation, measures and procedures that will increase the efficient screening of passengers, and enhance the passenger experience and will support activities by airport operators and equipment manufactures that work towards this objective.

The duty-free and travel retail channel is one of the most secure supply chains, with long established requirements for a secure environment. However, in recent years, increased regulation and/or restrictions have been introduced in response to the insecure global environment (terrorism).

Following the exposure of a terrorist plot to blow up US bound aircraft uncovered in August 2006 which led to a ban on all liquids being carried on board aircraft, the industry worked with the European Commission to develop a system whereby passengers travelling within the EU and transferring at EU airports, plus Switzerland and Norway, could carry through security products purchased from duty free and travel retail stores if sealed in Security Tamper Evident Bags (STEBs). This was subsequently extended to passengers flying into the EU and transferring to another flight from Singapore, Croatia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, as well as from all US and Canadian international airports.

In 2011, the European Union postponed implementation of part of Regulation (EC) No 272/2009 which called for the lifting of restrictions for transfer passengers carrying LAGs, in response to concerns by some EU Member States and airport operators that the equipment then available did not screen transfer passengers efficiently and speedily enough. Ultimately, that Regulation was meant to lift all restrictions for passengers carrying LAGs by the 29 April 2013 deadline, whether from landside to airside, such as personal toiletries, or products purchased from duty-free and travel retail stores.

In July 2012 however, the European Commission announced its recommendation for a postponement of the April 2013 deadline for the lifting of present restrictions on the carriage of LAGs on board aircraft. This followed the results of a study and trials undertaken in 12 EU airports that established that technology available was not yet fit for purpose to allow for a smooth implementation of the Regulation.

A revised proposal to amend existing legislation was brought forward by the European Commission in autumn 2012 and was accompanied by a roadmap setting out a timeline for a phased lifting of all restrictions on LAGs to be replaced by a regime based on new screening technologies for liquid explosives. EU Member States adopted this in March 2013.

 

Aviation Security LAGs Regime Changes January 31 2014

The first phase of the new EU aviation security regime started on 31 January 2014 when new rules regarding the carriage of LAGs in hand luggage entered into force in the European Union, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Passengers transferring at European (EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway), Canadian, or Australian airports were allowed to carry LAGs bought at an airport or onboard an aircraft anywhere in the world, provided they were sealed in an ICAO approved STEB (Security Tamper-Evident Bag) together with proof of purchase (receipt inside the STEB). LAGs over 100ml would have to be successfully screened with Enhanced Screening Technology at the transfer airport security checkpoint. Duty free LAGs in containers of 100 ml or less did not need to be screened but should be carried separately in STEBs.

 

The European Commission is currently considering a new Strategy to work towards the full lifting of restrictions on LAGs when operationally feasible. CEETRA will keep its members updated on any further development.

For further detailed information please download from the “members only” section of this website the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 245/2013 and No 246/2013.

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The European Travel Retail Confederation

CEETRA

Central & Eastern European Travel Retail Association aisbl.

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