Tamper-evident bags too expensive, says ETRC

ETRC said in a statement: “As adopting these options adds unnecessary expense – with no added security benefit - it is [our] opinion that there is no reason or obligation for retailers to adopt these options.”

Further criticisms, which ETRC said it has communicated to ICAO, include the stipulation that the security sign on the bag should be green, which ETRC claims would add to printing costs. ETRC recommended that any other colour except red should be permitted.

ETRC added that the “do not open” message at the bottom of the bag should be moved to the top because, “when items are placed in the bag, this message will not be visible to the passenger”.

ICAO also suggested in its design guidelines that each bag should be printed with a three letter country code, which the ETRC said would add to costs for “retailers [who] wish to produce bags for multiple outlets in different states”.

ETRC said that it will press for ICAO to amend the specification but recommends that in the meantime retailers should “proceed to make plans for production using the current ICAO specification”.