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Guidance

Explosive trace detection (ETD) systems for aviation security

Approved explosive trace detection (ETD) systems for use in aviation security.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Transport
Published:
19 August 2013
Last updated:
10 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. Addition of new 1st Detect model and changes to reflect new ECAC approvals.

  2. Updated with latest information on explosive trace detection (ETD) systems to detect microscopic particles of explosive materials.

  3. Previous list (published March 2025) updated with latest information.

  4. Rapiscan itemiser 5X model added.

  5. List of approved explosive trace detection systems updated.

  6. List of approved explosive trace detection systems updated.

  7. 1 new configuration from Nuctech. 1 new configuration from Rapiscan. List updated to reflect latest ECAC approvals.

  8. 1 new configuration from Nuctech

  9. New configuration from Smiths Detection.

  10. Correction: ETD systems detect microscopic particles of explosive materials rather than minute particles, as previously stated.

  11. Equipment no longer approved for use in UK removed from the list, as per AvSec policy and previously stated withdrawal dates.

  12. Updated equipment configurations added by 1st Detect, new equipment configurations from Bruker Optik GmbH and Rapiscan, entry corrections from Bruker Optik GmbH and Smiths Detection.

  13. 1 new equipment configuration added to the list from Smiths Detection.

  14. L3 Technologies, Inc. has been rebranded as Leidos 2 new equipment configurations from Leidos have been added. Clarification has been given that legacy systems are no longer approved for use.

  15. New equipment additions for Bruker Optik Gmbh and Bruker Nuctech, revisions of existing configurations for 1st Detect and Rapiscan.

  16. New equipment configuration added from Nuctech.

  17. New equipment listing added from 1st Detect, Smith's Detecton, Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Rapiscan, Nuctech plus expiration date for legacy equipment revised.

  18. Equipment configuration added from Smiths Detection.

  19. Company renamed to Rapiscan systems, previously Morpho Detection.

  20. List of explosive trace detection (ETD) systems to detect minute particles of explosive materials updated.

  21. List of approved explosive trace detection systems for use in aviation security.

  22. List of approved explosive trace detection systems updated including changing of algorithms for two equipment manufacturers.

  23. List of approved explosive trace detection systems updated.

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

  25. Amendments for explosive trace detection systems.

  26. Updated with new equipment approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference.

  27. New equipment approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) on 28 July 2015.

  28. Updated with new aviation security equipment recently approved for operation use by DfT and the European Civil Aviation Conference.

  29. First published.

Documents

Explosive trace detection (ETD) systems to detect microscopic particles of explosive materials: open document format

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Explosive trace detection (ETD) systems to detect microscopic particles of explosive materials: Excel format

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Details

Explosive trace detection systems approved for use in aviation security by the Department for Transport, these are used to detect microscopic particles of explosive material.

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