The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has said it expects to lift restrictions that limit passengers to carrying 3-ounce bottles of liquids, gels and aerosols in airplane cabins. The organization says it expects the current regulations will be relaxed by the end of 2009, allowing passengers to carry normal-sized shampoo bottles, skin care products and other larger personal care items on board - but still in separate bags. Passengers would still have to remove liquids from carry-on bags at airport checkpoints and put them through X-ray machines separately.
The changes are expected because better technology will enable checkpoint X-ray machines to spot dangerous liquids. X-ray machines currently can't tell the difference between harmless fluids and explosives. According to the TSA, that forces them to limit passengers to 3 ounces of liquid or less as a precautionary measure.
TSA says that by the end of 2010, the widespread use of new X-ray technology will mean that there will be no restrictions to carrying liquids on board aircraft.
The restrictions are also likely to be eased in airports of other countries that adopted similar liquid restrictions several years ago after authorities disrupted an alleged plot to bomb trans-Atlantic flights with liquid-based explosives.
Initially, airport security regulations in other countries introduced total bans on taking liquids aboard flights – later relaxing the regulations to allow smaller liquid containers. Personal care and beauty companies indicated that the initial ban and the ensuing confusion impacted sales of duty-free products.
In 2008, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) wrote to Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-California) – a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security – to share concerns about problems associated with enforcement of the so-called “3-1-1” rule by TSA and its impact on the beauty industry.
In response to increased demand for smaller-sized personal care products, suppliers have created packaging and related items that can help beauty and personal care companies answer the needs of on-the-go customers.
