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28.09.2006 - 09:51 CET | By Lucia Kubosova EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Starting from November, EU air passengers will have to follow stricter rules on liquids they can take on board and later also on the size of their hand baggage.

Under a new scheme, approved by EU member states experts on Wednesday (27 September), liquids on board will be limited to 100ml containers which must fit into a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag to be checked by airport security officials.

These could include items such as toothpaste, baby food, medicines or shampoos.

Cabin baggage will have to fall under the limit of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm, except for special cases, such as for musical instruments.

The European Commission will formally adopt the new rules next week, with limits on liquids set to come into force in early November but cabin baggage measures later as operators need more time to prepare for it.

Passengers will still be allowed to buy larger sized liquids in airport shops on the other side of security checks.

When passing the security control, they will have to separately present their laptops or other large electrical items and also take off their coats and jackets - rules already applied in several European airports.

EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot said that the new scheme strikes a “necessary balance between a tough approach on security, the comfort of passengers and the needs of the industry.”

But it is expected that, as in the past, the restrictions will be blamed for causing delays and for being costly to airlines.

The latest set of security measures comes as a reaction to an alleged terrorist plot in the UK to blow up transatlantic airlines in August.