Regulation (EU) 2021/267 laying down specific and temporary measures in view of the persistence of the COVID-19 crisis concerning the renewal or extension of certain certificates, licences and authorisations, the postponement of certain periodic checks and periodic training in certain areas of transport legislation and the extension of certain periods referred to in Regulation (EU) 2020/698

What it is

to authorise, exceptionally in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the extension of the validity of certificates, licences or authorisations and of certain time limits in certain areas of transport legislation. 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 and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: due to the COVID-19 crisis, Regulation (EU) 2020/698 extended for a period of 6 months (or 7 months in some cases) the period of validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and postponed the completion of certain periodic checks and continuing training which, under the relevant EU legislation, should have taken place during the period between 1 March 2020 (or 1 February 2020 in some cases) and 31 August 2020. The European Parliament adopted by 647 votes to 24, with 19 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 the persistence of the COVID-19 crisis concerning the renewal or extension of certain certificates, licences and authorisations, the postponement of certain periodic checks and periodic training in certain areas of transport legislation and the extension of certain periods referred to in Regulation (EU) 2020/698. Parliament adopted its position at first reading in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure. The proposed regulation aims at extending the deadlines laid down in Union law for the renewal and extension of the validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and at postponing certain periodic checks and periodic training, in response to the exceptional situation due to the persistence of the COVID-19 crisis after 31 August 2020, in the fields of road, rail and inland waterway transport and maritime security. In particular, the new rules would allow the validity of certain documents (driving licences, licences, authorisations, certificates, etc.) to be extended by ten months if they expire between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021. Where a Member State considers that the application of the rules from which the proposed Regulation derogates is likely to remain impossible beyond the dates laid down in the Regulation because of the measures it has taken to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Commission would be authorised, if that Member State so requests by 31 May 2021 at the latest, to extend the periods specified in the Regulation, provided that such an extension does not entail disproportionate risks, in particular in terms of transport safety or security.

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