ETRC calls for retailer action on new EU liquids regulations

Tina Milton

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The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has called for airport retailers in third countries to adopt a clear strategy to encourage their governments to apply for European Commission approval

The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has called for retailers operating in third countries to take action on the new EU regulations on liquids to extend approval to as many third countries as possible, as quickly as possible.

Once a country has adopted International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines on restricting liquids in hand luggage and on securing the travel-retail supply chain at its airports, the national government must apply for recognition to the European Commission. The ETRC has asked airport retailers operating in third countries to adopt a clear strategy to engage their government to gain approval.

The ETRC advised that key elements of lobbying government officials should include engaging Governments at the highest level and maintaining pressure, building industry stakeholder alliances and preparing key campaign policies.

In a statement the ETRC explained: “It is essential that the industry understands that the European Commission will only react to demands for recognition from governments of third countries. Without political pressure from these governments, no amount of lobbying by the ETRC will bring about a solution to the current situation.

It added: “Finally, the ETRC has gained unique experience and expertise through leading the Global Aviation Security Campaign and can provide support and advice for national lobbying activities.”

The ETRC's priority now is the implementation of the new EU regulation and it is urging the European Commission to begin the approval process with as many third country governments as possible. The European Commission has begun negotiations on approval with some third country governments and the first agreements are expected in the autumn.

However, it is essential that, until a country and its airports have been “approved” by the European Commission, airport retailers do not sell duty-free liquids to EU-bound transfer passengers as they will continue to have to discard their purchases at entry points to the EU, regardless of whether they are carried in a ICAO sealed tamper evident bag.

On July 31, the European Commission adopted a new regulation that will facilitate passengers transferring flights at EU airports carrying duty-free liquids purchased at selected non-EU airports. Under the new regulation, EU-bound transfer passengers may be exempted from current restrictions if their liquid purchases were made at a third country airport that has been approved by the European Commission.

For an airport to gain approval, full implementation of the ICAO recommendations on liquid restrictions, supply chain security, and the use of the ICAO specification tamper evident bag is mandatory. The European Commission will audit airports in third countries to assess security standards.