The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) this month has certified a number of checkpoint screening technologies as meeting the “Type C” standard for detection of liquid explosive threats and other potential threats. Type C means certification that a liquid explosives detection system can screen multiple containers with no requirement for containers to be opened. The companies and their systems that the ECAC certified this month are: Smiths Detection for their 6040 aTiX Advanced Technology (AT) X-Ray systems, 7555 aTiX and 6040 aX X-Ray scanners; L-3 Communications [LLL] ACX 6.4 multi-view AT X-Ray system equipped with OptoSecurity‘s XMS threat detection software; OSI Systems [OSIS] Rapiscan division’s 620 Dual View AT X-Ray system; and OptoSecurity’s OptoScreener system for Smiths single view 6040i and 6046si X-Ray systems. OptoScreener incorporates OptoSecurity’s XMS software and is used to retrofit existing single-view imaging systems to automatically detect liquid explosives and other liquid threats, bottles, firearms and firearm parts. Beginning April 29 the European Union will gradually relax liquid restrictions on carry-on bags with the restrictions set to be completely removed in April 2013.