--- title: "Phased Approach: Why starting early is essential for a successful Standard 3 transition" description: Recommendations for airports to achieve a smooth ECAC Standard 3 transition through effective planning and starting early. image: http://www.morphodetection.com/hubfs/Nik_BlogPost_Installation_1024x439.jpg --- [![2017-06-30_SD logo blue with tagline-01.png](https://www.morphodetection.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/2017-06-30_SD%20logo%20blue%20with%20tagline-01.png?width=2993&height=505&name=2017-06-30_SD%20logo%20blue%20with%20tagline-01.png "2017-06-30_SD logo blue with tagline-01.png")](http://www.smithsdetection.com) - [Blog](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog) - [Press](https://www.morphodetection.com/press) - ENGLISH # Seeing Clearly: Security Detection Insights and Trends ## [Phased Approach: Why starting early is essential for a successful Standard 3 transition](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/phased-approach-why-starting-early-is-essential-for-a-successful-standard-3-transition) \[fa icon="calendar"\] Nov 7, 2016 9:00:00 AM / by [Nik Karnik](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/author/nik-karnik) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Nik_BlogPost_Installation_1024x700.jpg](https://www.morphodetection.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nik_BlogPost_Installation_1024x700.jpg?width=711&height=486&name=Nik_BlogPost_Installation_1024x700.jpg) For airports in Europe upgrading hold baggage screening infrastructure to Standard 3 capabilities, the facts are clear: by September 2018 in the UK and 2020 in continental Europe, all airports must screen checked baggage with an advanced explosives detection systems (EDS). As we enter the end of 2016, 2020 still feels far away. But don’t let the calendar fool you.  The Standard 3 EDS and accompanying baggage handling systems (BHS) components represent a major infrastructure project that the UK Department for Transport (DfT) estimates will take up to four years to implement. Depending on your airport size, a phased approach may be needed to ensure the major construction doesn’t impact peak travel periods. If you’re a small airport, you could look at using your off-peak travel season to take the entire BHS system offline for the Standard 3 upgrade. Larger airports should look at how they phase the implementation to ensure continued normal operations and effective contingency planning. Where should you start? Meet with your team to consider a plan for your system, not just for today but one that will take you through the next twenty years. Evaluate your roadmap specifically around how the Standard 3 requirements impact your operations. As I meet with our European airport partners, I’m spending time taking them through the process about what to expect with the transition. The ones that have completed implementation are enjoying the operational benefits new Standard 3 equipment delivers. As a result of starting early, airports can work with the mandate to ensure the best possible outcome tailored to their operations. Don’t wait – get started today. Topics: [Airport Security Services](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/airport-security-services), [ECAC Standard 3](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/ecac-standard-3), [EDS](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/eds), [Aviation Security](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/aviation-security), [CTX](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/ctx) ![Nik Karnik](https://www.morphodetection.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nik_Karnik_Square.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Nik_Karnik_Square.jpg) ##### Written by [Nik Karnik](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/author/nik-karnik) [\[fa icon="linkedin-square"\]Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nik-karnik-707635) As Smiths Detection’s Senior Director of Product Management and Strategy, Nik Karnik leads the development of product strategies to leverage the company’s expertise and technology in targeted markets. Nik joined our company in 2005 and holds a B.S. in Marketing from Pennsylvania State University. ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Aviation Security (15)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/aviation-security) - [Airport Security Services (14)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/airport-security-services) - [Future Security Technology (14)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/future-security-technology) - [ECAC Standard 3 (13)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/ecac-standard-3) - [Security Strategy (13)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/security-strategy) - [EDS (9)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/eds) - [CTX (5)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/ctx) - [Service (4)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/service) - [AvSec EDS Suppliers (2)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/avsec-eds-suppliers) - [Big Data and Security (2)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/big-data-and-security) - [Standard 3-Approved EDS Vendor (2)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/standard-3-approved-eds-vendor) - [Government & Critical Infrastructure (1)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/government-critical-infrastructure) see all ### Posts by Topic - [Aviation Security (15)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/aviation-security) - [Airport Security Services (14)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/airport-security-services) - [Future Security Technology (14)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/future-security-technology) - [ECAC Standard 3 (13)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/ecac-standard-3) - [Security Strategy (13)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/security-strategy) - [EDS (9)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/eds) - [CTX (5)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/ctx) - [Service (4)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/service) - [AvSec EDS Suppliers (2)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/avsec-eds-suppliers) - [Big Data and Security (2)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/big-data-and-security) - [Standard 3-Approved EDS Vendor (2)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/standard-3-approved-eds-vendor) - [Government & Critical Infrastructure (1)](https://www.morphodetection.com/blog/topic/government-critical-infrastructure) see all ### Recent Posts [![smithsdetectionlogo-white.png](https://www.morphodetection.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017-corsys/images/smithsdetectionlogo-white.png?width=450&name=smithsdetectionlogo-white.png "smithsdetectionlogo-white.png")](https://www.smithsdetection.com/) - [About this website](https://www.smithsdetection.com/about-this-website/) - [Smiths Detection Americas](https://www.smithsdetection.com/ssa/) - [Contact us](https://www.smithsdetection.com/contact-us/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.smithsdetection.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.smithsdetection.com/terms-conditions/) - [Legal Notice](https://www.smithsdetection.com/legal-notice/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.smithsdetection.com/cookie-policy/) - [Anti-Modern Slavery](https://www.smithsdetection.com/anti-modern-slavery/) © Copyright 2025 Smiths Detection Group Ltd. 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