ACI Europe is urgently calling for a complete overhaul of the European Union’s airport security certification system, warning that ongoing delays and inefficiencies are putting airport operations, passenger convenience, and European security at risk. As of July 28, 2025, the group’s demands for reform have reached a critical point, with the summer travel season highlighting the real-world impacts of a slow and fragmented certification process.
ACI Europe (Airports Council International Europe) represents airports across Europe and has been at the forefront of efforts to modernize how the EU certifies airport security equipment. The group’s latest warning, issued on July 25, 2025, urges the EU to take immediate action to fix a system they say is outdated and no longer fit for purpose. According to ACI Europe, the current process is plagued by delays, a lack of transparency, and inconsistent rules between countries, all of which slow down the adoption of new security technologies.
What’s Happening Now: Delays and Disruptions
In July 2025, the EU finally recertified Smiths Detection’s advanced screening equipment, but only after a three-month delay compared to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, which completed its recertification in April. This delay meant that airports in the EU could not use the latest technology as quickly as their UK counterparts, leading to frustration among airport operators and travelers.
One major change did come in July: the EU lifted the long-standing 100ml liquids rule for airports that have installed newly certified advanced screening technology. Passengers at these airports can now carry up to 2 litres of liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) in their cabin bags, making travel much easier. However, this benefit only applies to airports with the specific equipment that has received EU certification. Many other airports, which have invested in different advanced screening technologies, are still stuck with the old restrictions because their equipment has not yet been certified by the EU.
This patchwork approach has created confusion and inconsistency for travelers. Some airports offer a smoother, faster experience, while others still require passengers to follow outdated rules. The result is a lack of fairness and efficiency across the EU’s aviation system.
Why the System Needs Reform: Background and Context
The problems with the EU’s airport security certification system are not new. For years, the process has been criticized as slow, fragmented, and lacking in transparency. Before 2025, the system relied on voluntary cooperation between EU Member States, with no single, harmonized approach to testing and certifying new security equipment. This meant that each country could use its own methods and timelines, leading to delays and confusion.
Between 2023 and 2024, ACI Europe repeatedly called for a fully integrated EU testing and certification system. The group argued that the EU needed to align its approach with the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and United States 🇺🇸, both of which have more streamlined systems that allow for faster adoption of new security technologies.
The situation became even more complicated in September 2024, when the EU reintroduced restrictions on liquids and gels. This move undermined trust in the certification process and caused operational disruptions at airports that had already invested in advanced screening technology, expecting the rules to change.
Key Voices: What Stakeholders Are Saying
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe, summed up the industry’s frustration: “Our decades-old testing and certification regime for aviation security equipment is no longer fit for purpose… We absolutely need to be able to benefit from innovation in security technologies much faster. Beyond operational efficiencies, this is primarily and crucially about better protecting European citizens — and ultimately about the EU’s own strategic autonomy agenda.”
Armando Brunini, President of ACI Europe and CEO of SEA Milan Airports, has also called for a “fully integrated testing and certification system” and urged policymakers to adopt bold, forward-thinking approaches to secure the future of European aviation.
Despite these calls, the European Commission has been slow to respond. ACI Europe submitted detailed proposals for reform to the EU Aviation Security Committee in December 2024 and reiterated them in spring 2025, but little progress has been made so far.
How the Current System Works: Step-by-Step
As of July 2025, the process for certifying new airport security equipment in the EU involves several steps:
- Manufacturers submit new security equipment for EU testing and certification.
- Testing is carried out by national authorities in each Member State. These authorities often use different methods and timelines, leading to inconsistent results.
- Certification decisions require agreement among all Member States. This step can cause significant delays, as reaching consensus is often difficult.
- Only after EU-wide certification can airports install the new equipment and benefit from regulatory changes, such as lifting the 100ml liquids rule.
This process is slow and unpredictable, making it hard for airports and manufacturers to plan investments and upgrades.
Real-World Impacts: Passengers, Airports, and Security
The delays and inefficiencies in the current certification system have several direct effects:
- Passenger Experience: Airports with newly certified equipment can process passengers more quickly and allow larger quantities of liquids, making travel more convenient. However, airports without certified equipment must keep the old restrictions, leading to inconsistent experiences for travelers.
- Operational Impact: Airports that have invested in advanced screening technologies but are still waiting for certification must maintain outdated rules, causing operational headaches and wasted resources.
- Security Risks: Slow certification of new technologies means the EU cannot respond quickly to new security threats, including those related to geopolitics, cyberattacks, and physical risks.
- Strategic Autonomy: The lack of a unified, transparent, and efficient certification system weakens the EU’s ability to act independently and keep up with global partners like the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and United States 🇺🇸.
What ACI Europe Wants: Detailed Reform Proposals
ACI Europe has laid out a clear set of proposals to fix the system:
- Create a fully integrated EU testing and certification system for aviation security equipment, with direct oversight by the European Commission.
- Align and cooperate with the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and United States 🇺🇸 to allow for mutual recognition of certifications and faster deployment of new technologies.
- Set clear, transparent, and predictable timelines for testing and certification of all advanced security equipment, not just for select manufacturers.
- Secure proper funding for the new system to ensure it can be implemented quickly and effectively.
- Adopt the “High Level Principles for the New EU Testing and Certification System for Aviation Security Screening Equipment,” which ACI Europe submitted to the EU Aviation Security Committee in March 2025.
These proposals aim to make the certification process faster, fairer, and more transparent, so that all airports and passengers can benefit from the latest security innovations.
Recent and Pending Regulatory Changes
Several new regulations are in play, but none have fully addressed the issues raised by ACI Europe:
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/920 updates the EU’s aviation security framework but does not fix the core problems of certification delays and fragmentation.
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1645 will take effect on October 16, 2025, setting new requirements for aviation safety. However, its impact on security equipment certification is still unclear.
- Ongoing “Fitness Check” Consultation: The European Commission is currently reviewing aviation regulations, including security certification, but as of July 2025, no concrete reforms have been enacted.
For more details on these regulations, readers can visit the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, which provides official updates and resources.
Industry Analysis: Risks and Recommendations
There is broad agreement among airport operators, security technology manufacturers, and industry analysts that the current EU certification regime is a major obstacle to innovation and operational efficiency. As reported by VisaVerge.com, experts warn that failure to reform the system could leave the EU vulnerable to security threats, undermine passenger confidence, and erode the competitiveness of European aviation.
Industry leaders recommend that the European Commission take direct ownership of the certification process, ensure adequate funding, and make security innovation a top priority as part of the EU’s broader strategy for independence and competitiveness.
The Bigger Picture: Strategic Autonomy and Global Competition
The debate over airport security certification is not just about technology or convenience. It also touches on the EU’s ability to act independently and compete with other global powers. The current system’s delays and inefficiencies make it harder for the EU to keep up with countries like the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and United States 🇺🇸, both of which have more flexible and responsive certification processes.
If the EU can reform its system, it could become a global leader in aviation security innovation. But if it fails to act, it risks falling further behind, with negative consequences for security, business, and travelers.
What’s Next: Outlook for Reform
Short-Term: Pressure from ACI Europe and other industry groups is expected to continue, especially as the busy summer travel season exposes the operational impacts of certification delays. Airports and passengers will keep facing inconsistent rules until reforms are made.
Medium-Term: The European Commission’s response to ACI Europe’s proposals, along with the outcome of the ongoing regulatory “Fitness Check,” will determine how quickly and thoroughly the system can be improved.
Long-Term: If reforms succeed, the EU could set a new global standard for airport security certification, making travel safer and more efficient for everyone. If not, the current problems will likely get worse, with more delays, confusion, and security risks.
Practical Guidance for Travelers and Airports
For travelers, it’s important to check the rules at your departure airport before flying, as the amount of liquids you can carry may vary depending on whether the airport has certified advanced screening technology. Airports and airlines should clearly communicate these rules to avoid confusion and delays at security checkpoints.
Airport operators and technology manufacturers should stay informed about regulatory changes and participate in consultations with the European Commission to help shape the future of airport security certification.
Solution-Oriented Steps: What Can Be Done Now?
- For Policymakers: Move quickly to adopt ACI Europe’s proposals and create a unified, transparent certification system.
- For Airports: Continue investing in advanced screening technologies, but work closely with regulators to speed up certification.
- For Passengers: Stay updated on security rules and prepare for possible differences between airports.
- For Industry Groups: Keep up the pressure on the European Commission to prioritize security innovation and efficiency.
Official Resources and Where to Get More Information
- ACI Europe: www.aci-europe.org
- European Commission – Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE): ec.europa.eu/transport
- EU Aviation Security Committee: Contact through DG MOVE
- For regulatory texts: EUR-Lex
Key Takeaway
ACI Europe is demanding immediate EU action to overhaul the airport security equipment certification regime, warning that current delays and inefficiencies are undermining security, passenger experience, and the EU’s strategic autonomy. The issue is at a critical juncture, with the European Commission under intense pressure to deliver a unified, transparent, and efficient system as soon as possible.
By acting now, the EU can improve airport security, make travel easier for millions of people, and strengthen its position as a global leader in aviation. Delaying reform risks further fragmentation, lost competitiveness, and greater security threats for everyone involved.
Learn Today
ACI Europe → An organization representing European airports, advocating for modernization of aviation security certification.
Airport security certification → Official approval process for airport security equipment to meet regulatory safety standards.
EU Aviation Security Committee → A regulatory body overseeing aviation security policies and certification within the European Union.
Advanced screening technology → High-tech security equipment that enhances detection capabilities at airports.
Strategic autonomy → The EU’s goal to independently manage security and policies without external reliance.
This Article in a Nutshell
ACI Europe warns that outdated EU airport security certification delays technology adoption, hurting passengers and safety. They demand a unified, transparent system to modernize operations, align with UK and US standards, and strengthen Europe’s security and competitiveness urgently by mid-2025 reforms.
— By VisaVerge.com
