EC outlines new liquids regulations

The European commission (EC) has said that it is adopting a new regulation to ease the process of passengers bringing duty-free liquids into the EU.

Currently, travellers who carry liquids above the hand luggage limit into the region have to leave them at the airport because they cannot be checked for adherence to EU security rules.

However, the new regulation will enable the EC to assess the standard of liquid checks in non-EU countries and decide whether passengers can take liquids bought in duty-free shops onto flights into the EU region.

Jacques Barrot of the EC said that the new rule "paves the way for getting rid of unnecessary disruption for transit passengers who are arriving from airports outside the EU that have been found to apply equally strict aviation security standards as regards liquids as we do".

Liquids bought in duty-free stores at airports can include perfumes, drinks and personal care items such as lotions.

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