Guidance: Explosive detection systems (EDS) for aviation security

Explosive detection systems (EDS) approved by Department for Transport for use in aviation security.

The EDS automatically detect explosive material concealed inside hold baggage and cargo.

Updates to this page Published 19 August 2013 Last updated 16 September 2024 + show all updates 16 September 2024 Update to list to reflect latest ECAC Approvals.

28 June 2024 Update to list to reflect latest ECAC Approvals .

15 March 2024 New hardware and conops added to SwabTek LETK.

13 November 2023 List updated to reflect latest ECAC approvals.

20 June 2023 The following updates have been made: - formatting changes to Smiths entries - 1 new Nuctech entry - 1 new Leidos entry - formatting changes to Rapiscan entries

23 February 2023 New documents with the following changes: - 2 new equipment configurations added to the list from Nuctech - 1 new equipment configuration added to the list from Smiths Detection - 2 new equipment configurations added to the list from SureScan

28 October 2022 14 new equipment configurations from Nuctech.

31 May 2022 New equipment configuration from Nuctech.

11 April 2022 Three equipment configuration corrections have been made to the Nuctech list to revise ECAC listing errors.

16 February 2022 One new equipment configuration added to the list from Rapiscan.

28 September 2021 New entries from Nutech, equipment configurations from Rapiscan, Smiths Detection and SureScan plus comments on Standard 2 updated.

29 March 2021 1 new equipment configuration added to the list from Leidos.

15 February 2021 The approved explosive detection systems list has been updated.1 new equipment configuration has been added to the list for Rapiscan.

22 October 2020 The approved explosive detection systems list has been updated. L3 Technologies, Inc. has been rebranded as Leidos. 5 new equipment configurations have added to the list for Nuctech.

21 May 2020 Addition of new equipment configurations, two for the company of Smiths Detection and one for Rapiscan.

20 December 2019 Update including new equipment configurations from Smiths Detection (previously: Morpho Detection), Rapiscan and Nuctech, plus additional guidance for use of standard 2 systems.

16 May 2019 Equipment additions from Smiths Detection (previously Morpho Detection), Surescan and 3 Technologies.

10 October 2018 Name change from Morpho Detection to Smiths Detection and 3 equipment configurations added for Smiths Detection.

22 March 2018 New detection algorithms from L3 Technologies, Inc and Smiths Detection plus configuration changes to equipment from Smiths Detection and SureScan.

16 November 2017 Approved explosive detection systems list updated.

14 August 2017 List of approved explosive detection systems to screen hold baggage and cargo.

4 August 2016 List of approved explosive detection systems updated.

18 February 2016 Security screening equipment approved in February 2016 by the European Civil Aviation Conference for explosives detection systems.