First of all, let's get down to the legal side of things. The Regulation (EU) No 1087/2011 of 27 October 2011, which amends the Regulation (EU) No 185/2010laying down detailed measures for the implementation of the common basic standards on aviation securityfor the equipment of explosives detection.
Paragraph 12.4.2.11 states:
12.4.2.10. that the Rule 3 shall apply to all EDS installed as of 1 September 2014.
And in the next one:
12.4.2.11. that all EDS shall comply with Standard 3 by 1 September 2020 at the latest, unless paragraph 12.4.2.8 applies.
And finally, on an earlier point just mentioned:
12.4.2.8. The competent authority may allow Standard 2 compliant EDS installed between 1 January 2011 and 1 September 2014 to continue to be used until 1 September 2022 at the latest.
As of 1 September 2014, all automatic baggage screening equipment to be installed in Europe must already comply with Norm 3 or Standard 3, i.e. be of the tomograph type.
What does this mean? Let's take it one step at a time.
What is ESD?
EDS stands for Explosive Detection System and generally refers to automatic explosive detection systems.
What is Standard 3?
Firstly, it should not be confused with what is called Level 3 inspection, which we summarise in another article. The Rule 3 Standard 3 is a framework that regulates and certifies, by the ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference), the minimum detection levels required. A PDF list of the equipment in force as of November 2017 is available on its website. (SEE) (Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) section). To achieve the detection results of this standard, it is currently only possible to use CT (Computerised Axial Tomography) detectors such as those included in the aforementioned list.
What about Norm 2 or Standard 2?
It defines simpler detection equipment usually consisting of X-ray equipment with two sources (horizontal and vertical) which allows 2 simultaneous images of a piece of luggage to be obtained in order to be able to proceed with the detection of explosives. Compliance with this standard can be achieved in some cases by upgrading single source X-ray equipment (standard 1 equipment) by adding an additional source.
To summarise the above, from 1 September 2014 all automatic baggage screening equipment installed in Europe, and by extension in many non-European countries, must be standard 3 or standard 3, i.e. of the tomograph type. For equipment already installed as standard 1 which can be upgraded to standard 2 or standard 2, or which is already of this type, the final date for replacement will be 1 September 2022.
Is your airport prepared for this investment in the short/medium term?
Sources:
- Security Legislation on the AENA website
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1087/2011
