Civil aviation security: EU-wide rules

KEY POINTS

Common basic standards for protecting civil aviation

These standards include, for example:

• screening of passengers and cabin baggage to stop prohibited articles, such as weapons and explosives, being carried on board aircraft;
• the hold luggage (luggage that passengers check in) is also screened before loading;
• airport security (e.g. controlled access to different areas of airports, staff screening and checking of vehicles, as well as surveillance and patrols to prevent unauthorised people from entering these areas);
• protection of aircraft and aircraft security checks or searches before departure to ensure that no prohibited articles are on board;
• security controls for cargo and mail before being loaded on to aircraft;
• security controls for airport supplies (i.e. supplies intended to be sold in duty-free shops and restaurants) and in-flight supplies (e.g. food and drink for passengers);
• staff recruitment and training;
• security equipment performance (i.e. equipment used for screening and access controls complies with defined specifications and is capable of performing the security controls concerned).

In November 2015, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998. It lays down detailed measures for the implementation of these security standards and repealed a previous regulation (Regulation (EU) No 185/2010) which had been amended more than 20 times. Since its adoption, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 has itself been amended several times.

The amendments modify the list of non-EU countries recognised as applying equivalent standards to those of the EU, and introduce new rules regarding:

• airport security;
• aircraft security;
• screening of liquids, aerosols and gels, hold baggage, cargo and mail, in-flight supplies;
• staff recruitment and training;
• security equipment;
• background checks to enhance security culture and resilience;
• performance standards;
• the use of shoe explosive detection equipment and explosive vapour detection equipment.

Obligations on EU countries and on airports and operators

EU countries must:

• designate a single authority responsible for aviation security;
• set up a national civil aviation security programme to define responsibilities for implementing the common basic standards;
• set up a national quality control programme to check the quality of civil aviation security.

Airports, air carriers and entities must:

• define and implement a security programme;
• ensure internal quality control.

Commission inspections

The Commission carries out inspections in cooperation with national authorities including unannounced inspections of airports, air carriers and other relevant persons or businesses. Any shortcomings must be remedied by the national authority. National authorities are responsible for primary quality control and enforcement, and therefore must carry out audits and inspections of airports, air carriers and other relevant persons or businesses.

Recognition of equivalent aviation security standards with non-EU countries

The EU may recognise non-EU countries’ aviation security standards as equivalent to EU standards to allow a ‘one-stop security’ system. This means, for example, that passengers arriving at EU airports and transferring to other destinations would no longer need to be re-screened. This would result in faster connection times, lower costs and greater convenience for travellers. ‘One-stop security’ is one of the objectives of EU aviation security legislation.

Implementation reports

Every year, the Commission publishes a report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 300/2008. The latest report, relating to 2017, was published in 2019.

COVID-19 pandemic

• The COVID-19 pandemic severely limits the capability of EU countries and the EU as a whole to maintain an effective and efficient in-bound supply chain. Continued and uninterrupted cargo services are of essential strategic importance for the Union and play a fundamental role in the delivery of essential goods, including medicines, medical equipment, other substances and commodities.
• Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/910 therefore amends Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 as regards re-designating airlines, operators and entities providing security controls for cargo and mail arriving from non-EU countries, as well as postponing certain regulatory requirements.
• The Annex to Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 is amended to take account of factors such as the pandemic’s impact on the performance of on-site installations, checks and visits, and the need to adopt urgent measures establishing the appropriate legal basis to implement an alternative and expedite process for the EU aviation security validations of EU-bound supply chain operators affected.