On July 31, the European Commission adopted a regulation to allow duty-free liquids bought in certain countries to transfer at airports in the European Union (EU).

From November 2006 the maximum quantity of liquids per container is 100 milliliters. Liquids must be put in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one liter capacity per passenger.

The rules, adopted in response to the emerging threat of liquid explosives, mean that passengers had to abandon liquids they bought in third-country airports when they transfer at EU airports.

The new regulation will allow the commission to verify whether equivalent standards are applied in a third country and whether the overall standard of aviation security is satisfactory, thereby allowing liquids bought in duty-free shops there to be allowed on aircraft in the EU.

The commission will verify third-country airports on a case-by-case basis and the first decisions on exemptions are expected in the autumn of this year.

"We must strike the right balance between rigorous aviation security and the convenience of passengers. This new regulation is a step in the right direction," said Jacques Barrot, the European Commission vice president responsible for transport policy.