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

What it is

to extend the time limits laid down in Union law for the renewal or extension of certificates, licences or authorisations, and the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in certain areas of transport legislation in the context of COVID 19. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: the COVID-19 crisis has created extraordinary circumstances that affect normal activity of the competent authorities in the Member States and the work of transport undertakings as regards the administrative formalities to be completed in different transport sectors that could not reasonably have been anticipated at the time of adoption of the relevant measures. Those extraordinary circumstances have a significant impact on various areas covered by Union transport law. The European Parliament adopted by 669 votes to 11, with 8 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 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. Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. As an agreement was reached between Parliament and the Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act. The proposed Regulation introduces temporary measures to extend the period of validity of certain certificates and licences in the field of road, rail and inland waterway transport in response to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. This extension applies, for example, to driving licences, roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and Community licences and driver attestations for the provision of road haulage services, single railway safety certificates or authorisations, boatmasters' certificates or port safety assessments. Certain periodic inspections planned in the road, rail, maritime and inland waterway sectors shall also be temporarily postponed, as these activities may not be feasible in the present circumstances. The Regulation provides, however, that even where a Member State continues to issue licences itself, it must recognise any licence, certificate and approval whose validity has been extended by this Regulation. PURPOSE: to introduce temporary flexibility in licensing in different transport sectors in order to help companies and authorities deal with the exceptional circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2020/698 of the European Parliament and of the Council 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. CONTENT: the Regulation…

Frequently asked