Brussels, 16 June 2022
The EP Civil Liberties committee has endorsed the deal with member states to extend the legal framework of the EU Digital COVID Certificate for another 12 months.
On 13 June, negotiating teams from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached an agreement to prolong its validity until 30 June 2023. With 51 votes in favour, 11 against, and 1 abstaining (union citizens), and 50 in favour, 11 against, and 2 abstentions (3rd-country nationals), MEPs sitting on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Home Affairs and Justice on Thursday backed the trilogue agreement, which aims to prevent restrictions to EU free movement in the event of new variants or other pandemic-related threats.
Under the deal, the scheme is set to stay in place for another year in case it is needed. Member states should not restrict the free movement of EUDCC holders in a way that is disproportionate or discriminatory. The European Commission will assess the impact of the EUDCC on free movement and fundamental rights by the end of 2022, and can propose its repeal, if the sanitary situation allows.
Next steps
To enter into force, the extension needs to be approved by the full House -on 23 June during a plenary session in Brussels- and formally adopted by the Council of the EU. The current rules are set to expire on 30 June.
Source – European Parliament