Negotiators from Parliament and EU Member States have agreed to keep the EU's digital COVID certification framework for another year.
Negotiating teams from the European Parliament and the EU Council reached an agreement to extend the EU's digital COVID certificate (EUDCC) program. The program was due to expire on June 30, but will be extended for a further 12 months, until June 2023. By extending the legal framework for one year, EU lawmakers want to give EU citizens the right to free movement in the event of a new option.
Negotiators agreed that Member States should refrain from imposing additional restrictions on the free movement of EUDCC holders. Member States will only be able to do so if such restrictions are necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory in order to protect public health.
MEPs also assured that a clause has been added asking the Commission to assess whether the EUDCC system is still needed. All this is based on the latest scientific advice European Center for Prevention and Control Diseases Committee (ECDC) and the Committee Health Security . At this point, the Commission will also have to issue an overview describing all changes to the EUDCC at national and international level. Thereafter, as soon as the epidemiological situation allows, the program should be repealed.
Next steps
This informal agreement will now need to be formally adopted by both Parliament and the Council in order for it to enter into force by 30 June, when the current rules will expire. The vote in plenary is scheduled for the session on June 22-23 in Brussels.
Source: European Parliament
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