Regulation (EU) 2020/698 laying down specific and temporary measures in view of the COVID‐19 outbreak concerning the renewal or extension of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and periodic training in certain areas of transport legislation

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2020/698 - adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on 25 May 2020 - which lays out specific and temporary measures applicable to the renewal and extension of the period of validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in response to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak in the area of road, rail and inland waterways transport and maritime security.

Further information:

Due to public measures that became necessary in view of the pandemic, the transport operators and other persons concerned were in many cases not able to complete the necessary formalities or procedures to comply with certain provisions of EU law related to the renewal, extension or continued validity of certificates, licences or authorisations. In addition, the competent authorities of the Member States were unable to comply with the obligations established by EU law and to ensure relevant requests introduced by the transport operators were dealt with before the expiry of the applicable deadlines.

In order to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market, a high level of transport safety, to provide legal certainty, and to avoid potential market disruption, it became necessary to adopt temporary provisions extending the validity of those certificates, licences or authorisations that would expire between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 and ensuring that they remained valid during a reasonable period of time during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Likewise, time limits for relevant formalities should be extended and the validity of licences, certificates and similar documents should be maintained accordingly. Where relevant, alternative means intended to enable proper controls should be allowed and made mandatory. In addition, upon a request submitted by individual Member States, the Commission would be able to extend the relevant periods.

The proposal was adopted by the European Commission on 29 April 2020. The plenary of the European Parliament endorsed it on 15 May, followed by the Council on 20 May. The Act was formally signed by the co-legislators on 25 May 2020 and published in the Official Journal on 27 May.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: At a Glance, May 2020: Coronavirus: Transport support package https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2020)651912

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Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2020)176: Proposal for a Regulation laying down specific and temporary measures in view of COVID-19 outbreak and concerning the validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in certain areas of transport legislation https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:176:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Specific and temporary measures in view of COVID-19 outbreak and concerning the validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in certain areas of transport legislation https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/0068(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Coronavirus - Specific and Temporary Measures in View of COVID-19 Outbreak concerning the validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in certain areas of transport legislation https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-coronavirus-and-eu-action/file-coronavirus-certificates-licences-and-authorisations-in-transport/05-2020

European Commission: DG Mobility and Transport: News, 29/04/2020: Coronavirus: package of measures to support transport sector https://ec.europa.eu/transport/media/news/2020-04-29-coronavirus-package-measures-support-transport-sector_en

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 08/05/2020: COVID-19: Council agrees its positions on transport relief measures https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/05/08/covid-19-council-agrees-its-positions-on-transport-relief-measures/

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/05/2020: Response to pandemic is vital for the sustainable future of the transport sector https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200507IPR78616/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 20/05/2020: COVID-19 transport measures: Council adopts temporary flexibility for licences and port services https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/05/20/covid-19-transport-measures-council-adopts-temporary-flexibility-for-licences-and-port-services/

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