(1)

Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 (2) gives effect to Decision 2012/642/CFSP and in particular provides for the freezing of funds and economic resources of, and prohibits making funds or economic resources available to, persons, entities and bodies responsible for serious violations of human rights or the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, or whose activities otherwise seriously undermine democracy or the rule of law in Belarus or who benefit from or support the Lukashenka regime.

(2)

On 15 November 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/1990 (3), which introduces an additional designation criterion to allow for the application of targeted restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies organising or contributing to activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the external borders of the Union or the transfer of prohibited goods and the illegal transfer of restricted goods, including hazardous goods, into the territory of the Union.

(3)

That amendment needs to be reflected in Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 in order to allow for the correct and uniform implementation of the prohibition across the Union.

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 (2) gives effect to Decision 2012/642/CFSP and provides in particular for the freezing of funds and economic resources of, and prohibits making funds or economic resources available to, persons, entities or bodies responsible for serious violations of human rights or the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, or whose activities otherwise seriously undermine democracy or the rule of law in Belarus or who benefit from or support the Lukashenka regime.

(2)

Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1030 (3), which amended Regulation (EC) No 765/2006, introduced further targeted economic sanctions, including a prohibition on providing insurance and re-insurance to the Belarusian Government and Belarusian public bodies and agencies.

(3)

On 15 November 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/1989 (4), which amends Decision 2012/642/CFSP and introduces certain exceptions to the prohibition on providing insurance and re-insurance to the Belarusian Government and Belarusian public bodies and agencies, in order to avoid unintended consequences.

(4)

Certain measures fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, with a view to ensuring its uniform application by economic operators in all Member States, regulatory action at the level of the Union is necessary in order to implement those measures.

(5)

Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, of the other part (‘the Agreement’) was signed on 22 April 1996 and entered into force on 1 July 1999.

(2)

Under Article 81 of the Agreement, the Cooperation Council, established by the Agreement, may make appropriate recommendations for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the Agreement.

(3)

The Cooperation Council meeting of 28 September 2018 adopted the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities for the period 2018-2020.

(4)

The Cooperation Council should adopt a Recommendation on the extension of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities until 2024 by written procedure.

(5)

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Cooperation Council concerning the extension of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities,

(1)

Pursuant to Article 300(3) of the Treaty, the Committee of the Regions is to consist of representatives of regional and local bodies who either hold a regional or local authority electoral mandate or are politically accountable to an elected assembly.

(2)

On 10 December 2019, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2019/2157 (2), appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025.

(3)

A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the mandate on the basis of which Mr Guido WOLF was proposed for appointment.

(4)

The German Government has proposed Mr Florian HASSLER, representative of a regional or local body who is politically accountable to an elected assembly, Staatssekretär für politische Koordinierung und Europa im Staatsministerium Baden-Württemberg (State Secretary for Political Coordination and Europe in the State Ministry of Baden-Wurttemberg), as a member of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2025,

(1)

On 15 October 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/642/CFSP (1), concerning restrictive measures against Belarus.

(2)

On 24 June 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/1031 (2), which amended Decision 2012/642/CFSP to introduce a number of economic restrictions, including a prohibition on providing insurance and re-insurance to the Belarusian Government and Belarusian public bodies and agencies.

(3)

In this context, it is appropriate to introduce certain exceptions to the prohibition on providing insurance and re-insurance to the Belarusian Government and Belarusian public bodies and agencies.

(4)

Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures.

(5)

Decision 2012/642/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

On 15 October 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/642/CFSP (1) concerning restrictive measures against Belarus.

(2)

On 21 and 22 October 2021, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it declared that it will not accept any attempt by third countries to instrumentalise migrants for political purposes, condemned all hybrid attacks at the EU’s borders and affirmed that it will respond accordingly. It underlined the EU will continue countering the ongoing hybrid attack launched by the Belarusian regime, including by adopting further restrictive measures against persons and legal entities, in line with its gradual approach, as a matter of urgency.

(3)

In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that the designation criteria in Decision 2012/642/CFSP should be amended to allow for the application of targeted restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies organising or contributing to activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the external borders of the Union or the transfer of prohibited goods and the illegal transfer of restricted goods, including hazardous goods, into the territory of a Member State.

(4)

Decision 2012/642/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Article 3(1) is replaced by the following:

(2)

Article 4(1) is replaced by the following:

(1)

On 18 September 2018, based on a request by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249 (1) on a European Union action in support of UNVIM.

(2)

On 12 October 2020, based on a request by UNVIM, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1465 (2) and renewed the EU action in support of UNVIM for a period of 12 months.

(3)

United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2586 (2021) extended and adapted the mandate of the United Nations Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) in order to support the implementation of the agreement on the City of Hodeidah and the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa set out in the Stockholm Agreement concluded on 13 December 2018 by the parties to the conflict in Yemen, and endorsed by UNSCR 2451 (2018) and UNSCR 2452 (2019).

(4)

UNVIM requested further support from the Union for one year, consisting of the extension until 28 February 2022 of the period during which the contribution granted under Decision (CFSP) 2020/1465 may be used, and an additional contribution for the period from 1 March 2022 until 30 September 2022.

(5)

In order to fulfil its mandate, UNVIM has deployed to locations in countries neighbouring Yemen, in particular Djibouti and Saudi Arabia.

(6)

The Union should renew for one year and adapt its support to UNVIM for the implementation of its mandate,

(1)

Article 1(3) is amended as follows:

(2)

in Article 3, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

(3)

in Article 5, the last sentence is replaced by the following:

‘It shall expire on 30 September 2022.’;

(4)

the Annex is deleted.

(1)

In accordance with Article 13 of Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), toys which are in conformity with harmonised standards or parts thereof, the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, are to be presumed to be in conformity with the requirements covered by those standards or parts thereof set out in Article 10 of Directive 2009/48/EC and Annex II to that Directive.

(2)

Directive 2009/48/EC lays down, in Part I of Annex II thereto, specific requirements on physical and mechanical properties (including provisions aimed at ensuring that toys are manufactured in such a way as to avoid causing burns, scalds or other physical injury) and in Part II of Annex II thereto, specific requirements in order to ensure a high level of toy safety with regard to flammability hazards. Directive 2009/48/EC also lays down, in Part III of Annex II thereto, specific requirements in order to ensure that there are no risks of adverse effects on human health due to exposure to the chemical substances or mixtures of which the toys are composed or which they contain. Moreover Article 10(2) lays down the general safety requirement, Article 11(2) lays down requirements for warnings on toys, and Annex V to Directive 2009/48/EC lays down warnings for toys, including specific warning for chemical toys.

(3)

By letter M/445 (3) of 9 July 2009 the Commission made a request to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) for the drafting of new and the revision of existing harmonised standards in support of Directive 2009/48/EC.

(4)

On the basis of the request M/445 of 9 July 2009, CEN revised harmonised standard EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014 ‘Safety of toys – Part 2: Flammability’, the reference of which was published by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/867 (4). This resulted in the adoption of harmonised standard EN 71-2:2020.

(5)

Harmonised standard EN 71-2:2020 is clearer and more precise than its predecessor EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014. It includes: further definitions, thus describing better to which toys the standard’s specifications apply; clearer, more precise wording; new specifications for toy disguise costumes which contain loose stuffing; additional specifications to wash or cleanse (or not) toy disguise costumes prior to testing; specifications on the testing of smaller parts of toys by combining them, as well as the testing of fillings, trims and embellishments; illustrative examples of disguise toys (such as face masks or helmets) and toy disguise costumes and indications on how to test them; flowcharts showing how to obtain test specimens from toy disguise costumes.

(6)

On the basis of the request M/445 of 9 July 2009, CEN also revised harmonised standard EN 71-3:2019 ‘Safety of toys - Part 3: Migration of certain elements’, the reference of which was published by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/867. This resulted in the adoption of harmonised standard EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021.

(7)

Harmonised standard EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 updates its list of legal limit values, taken from Directive 2009/48/EC, for the elements in toys. The update concerns aluminium, for which strengthened limit values were to be applied as of 20 May 2021 (5). It also concerns chromium-VI, for which a previous limit value was deleted. The mathematical formula to calculate the chromium-VI migration of a toy sample has been adapted to the test procedure. All other changes are editorial.

(8)

On the basis of the request M/445 of 9 July 2009, CEN further revised harmonised standard EN 71-4:2013 ‘Safety of toys - Part 4: Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities’, the reference of which was published by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/867. This resulted in the adoption of harmonised standard EN 71-4:2020.

(9)

Harmonised standard EN 71-4:2020 is clearer than its predecessor EN 71-4:2013, due to quite a number of editorial changes. Also, pictograms and signal words of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) have been used more abundantly and more consistently. Furthermore, the specifications for child-resistant containers now rely on an established international standard, taken over by CEN. Eye protection is now required for certain experimental sets. Finally, more explanations on the rationale of the specifications have been included.

(10)

On the basis of the request M/445 of 9 July 2009, CEN revised harmonised standard EN 71-13:2014 ‘Safety of toys - Part 13: Olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and gustative games’, the reference of which was published by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/867. This resulted in the adoption of harmonised standard EN 71-13:2021.

(11)

The specifications of harmonised standard EN 71-13:2021 are more clearly linked to the requirements of Directive 2009/48/EC. In particular, the specifications related to specific warnings and indications set out in Annex V, Part B, to Directive 2009/48/EC have been extended and more clearly relate to olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and gustative games that contain certain allergenic fragrances. Furthermore, the specifications for child-resistant closures of containers in the concerned games and kits are now based on an international standard, referred to as EN ISO 8317:2015 Child-resistant packaging – Requirements and testing procedures for reclosable packages. The test method in EN ISO 8317:2015 replaces the previous test method set out in EN 71-13:2014. Finally, references to Union legislation have been updated, in particular to food safety legislation.

(12)

The Commission together with CEN has assessed whether harmonised standards EN 71-2:2020, EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021, EN 71-4:2020 and EN 71-13:2021 drafted by CEN comply with the request M/445 of 9 July 2009. The four harmonised standards satisfy the requirements which they aim to cover and which are set out in Directive 2009/48/EC. It is therefore appropriate to publish the references of those standards in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(13)

Harmonised standards EN 71-2:2020, EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021, EN 71-4:2020 and EN 71-13:2021 replace harmonised standards EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014, EN 71-3:2019, EN 71-4:2013 and EN 71-13:2014, respectively. It is therefore necessary to withdraw the references of those standard from the Official Journal of the European Union. In order to allow toy manufacturers sufficient time to adapt their products to the revised specifications in harmonised standards EN 71-2:2020, EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021, EN 71-4:2020 and EN 71-13:2021, it is necessary to defer the withdrawal of the reference of harmonised standards EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014, EN 71-3:2019, EN 71-4:2013 and EN 71-13:2014.

(14)

In the interests of clarity, rationality and simplification, a complete list of references of harmonised standards drafted in support of Directive 2009/48/EC and satisfying the requirements they aim to cover should be published in a single act. The references of harmonised standards drafted in support of Directive 2009/48/EC are currently published by Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) 2021/867 and 2019/1728 (7). Consequently, it is necessary to replace Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/867 by a new decision.

(15)

Compliance with a harmonised standard confers a presumption of conformity with the corresponding essential requirements set out in Union harmonisation legislation from the date of publication of the reference of such standard in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Decision should therefore enter into force on the date of its publication,

(1)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’) for the purpose of facilitating the holders’ exercise of their right to free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also to contribute to facilitating the gradual lifting of restrictions to free movement put in place by Member States, in accordance with Union law, to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, in a coordinated manner.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 allows for the acceptance of COVID-19 certificates issued by third countries to Union citizens and their family members where the Commission finds that those COVID-19 certificates are issued in accordance with standards that are to be considered as equivalent to those established pursuant to that Regulation. Furthermore, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/954 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Member States have to apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to third-country nationals who do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, but who are legally staying or residing in their territory and who are entitled to travel to other Member States in accordance with Union law. Therefore, any equivalence findings laid down in this Decision should apply to COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates issued by New Zealand to Union citizens and their family members. Similarly, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2021/954, such equivalence findings should also apply to COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates issued by New Zealand to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States under the conditions laid down in that Regulation.

(3)

On 2 September 2021, New Zealand provided the Commission with detailed information on the issuance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates under the system entitled ‘My Covid Record’. New Zealand informed the Commission that it considered that its COVID-19 certificates are being issued in accordance with a standard and a technological system that are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and that allow for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. In this regard, New Zealand informed the Commission that COVID-19 certificates issued by New Zealand in accordance with the ‘My Covid Record’ system contain the data set out in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(4)

New Zealand also informed the Commission that it accepts vaccination and test certificates issued by the Member States and EEA countries in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(5)

On 19 October 2021, following a request by New Zealand, the Commission carried out technical tests that demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates are issued by New Zealand in accordance with a system, the ‘My Covid Record’, that is interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953, and allows for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. The Commission also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates issued by New Zealand in accordance with the ‘My Covid Record’ system contain the necessary data.

(6)

In addition, New Zealand informed the Commission that it issues interoperable vaccination certificates for COVID-19 vaccines. These currently include Pfizer/BioNTech COMIRNATY and Pfizer New Zealand Limited (NZBN: 9429040634296).

(7)

New Zealand also informed the Commission that it issues interoperable test certificates for nucleic acid amplification tests and rapid antigen tests.

(8)

Furthermore, New Zealand informed the Commission that it does not issue interoperable certificates of recovery.

(9)

In addition, New Zealand informed the Commission that when verifiers in New Zealand verify certificates, the personal data included in them will be processed only to verify and confirm the holder’s vaccination or test result and will not be retained afterwards.

(10)

The necessary elements for establishing that COVID-19 certificates issued by New Zealand in accordance with the ‘My Covid Record’ system are to be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and are thus fulfilled.

(11)

Therefore, COVID-19 certificates issued by New Zealand in accordance with the ‘My Covid Record’ system should be accepted under the conditions referred to in Article 5(5) and Article 6(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(12)

In order for this Decision to be operational, New Zealand should be connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(13)

In order to protect the Union’s interests, in particular in the area of public health, the Commission may use its powers to suspend application of this Decision or repeal it, if the conditions of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are no longer met.

(14)

In the light of the need to connect New Zealand to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 as rapidly as possible, this Decision should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/953,

(1)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’) for the purpose of facilitating the holders’ exercise of their right to free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also to contribute to facilitating the gradual lifting of restrictions to free movement put in place by Member States, in accordance with Union law, to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, in a coordinated manner.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 allows for the acceptance of COVID-19 certificates issued by third countries to Union citizens and their family members where the Commission finds that those COVID-19 certificates are issued in accordance with standards that are to be considered as equivalent to those established pursuant to that Regulation. Furthermore, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/954 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Member States have to apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to third-country nationals who do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, but who are legally staying or residing in their territory and who are entitled to travel to other Member States in accordance with Union law. Therefore, any equivalence findings laid down in this Decision should apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova to Union citizens and their family members. Similarly, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2021/954, such equivalence findings should also apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States under the conditions laid down in that Regulation.

(3)

On 14 September 2021, the Republic of Moldova provided the Commission with detailed information on the issuance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates under the system entitled ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Record (SIA RVC-19)’. The Republic of Moldova informed the Commission that it considered that its COVID-19 certificates are being issued in accordance with a standard and a technological system, that are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and that allow for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. In this regard, the Republic of Moldova informed the Commission that COVID-19 certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova in accordance with the ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Record (SIA RVC-19)’ system contain the data set out in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(4)

The Republic of Moldova also informed the Commission that it accepts vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Member States and EEA countries in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(5)

On 26 October 2021, following a request by the Republic of Moldova, the Commission carried out technical tests that demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova are in accordance with a system, the ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Record" (SIA RVC-19)’, that is interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953, and allows for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. The Commission also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova in accordance with the ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Record (SIA RVC-19)’ system contain the necessary data.

(6)

In addition, the Republic of Moldova informed the Commission that it issues interoperable vaccination certificates for COVID-19 vaccines. These currently include Соmirnаtу, Vaxzevria, COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, Spikevax, ВВIВР-СоrV, СоrоnаVас, and Sputnik V.

(7)

The Republic of Moldova also informed the Commission that it issues interoperable test certificates for nucleic acid amplification tests and rapid antigen tests listed in the common and updated list of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests agreed by the Health Security Committee, established by Article 17 of Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), on the basis of the Council Recommendation of 21 January 2021 (4).

(8)

Furthermore, the Republic of Moldova informed the Commission that it issues interoperable certificates of recovery. Those certificates are valid for not more than 180 days after the date of the first positive test.

(9)

In addition, the Republic of Moldova informed the Commission that when verifiers in Moldova verify certificates, the personal data included in them will be processed only to verify and confirm the holder’s vaccination, test result or recovery status and will not be retained afterwards.

(10)

The necessary elements for establishing that COVID-19 certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova in accordance with the ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Record (SIA RVC-19)’ system are to be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and are thus fulfilled.

(11)

Therefore, COVID-19 certificates issued by the Republic of Moldova in accordance with the ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Record (SIA RVC-19)’ system should be accepted under the conditions referred to in Article 5(5), Article 6(5), and Article 7(8) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(12)

In order for this Decision to be operational, the Republic of Moldova should be connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(13)

In order to protect the Union’s interests, in particular in the area of public health, the Commission may use its powers to suspend application of this Decision or repeal it, if the conditions of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are no longer met.

(14)

In the light of the need to connect the Republic of Moldova the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 as rapidly as possible, this Decision should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/953,

(1)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’) for the purpose of facilitating the holders’ exercise of their right to free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also to contribute to facilitating the gradual lifting of restrictions to free movement put in place by Member States, in accordance with Union law, to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, in a coordinated manner.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 allows for the acceptance of COVID-19 certificates issued by third countries to Union citizens and their family members where the Commission finds that those COVID-19 certificates are issued in accordance with standards that are to be considered as equivalent to those established pursuant to that Regulation. Furthermore, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/954 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Member States have to apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to third-country nationals who do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, but who are legally staying or residing in their territory and who are entitled to travel to other Member States in accordance with Union law. Therefore, any equivalence findings laid down in this Decision should apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by Georgia to Union citizens and their family members. Similarly, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2021/954, such equivalence findings should also apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by Georgia to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States under the conditions laid down in that Regulation.

(3)

On 20 August 2021, Georgia provided the Commission with detailed information on the issuance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates under the system entitled ‘Georgia e-health App’. Georgia informed the Commission that it considered that its COVID-19 certificates are being issued in accordance with a standard and a technological system, that are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and that allow for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. In this regard, Georgia informed the Commission that COVID-19 certificates issued by Georgia in accordance with the ‘Georgia e-health App’ system contain the data set out in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(4)

Georgia also informed the Commission that it accepts vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Member States and EEA countries in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(5)

On 14 October 2021, following a request by Georgia, the Commission carried out technical tests that demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by Georgia are in accordance with a system, the ‘Georgia e-health App’, that is interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953, and allows for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. The Commission also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by Georgia in accordance with the ‘Georgia e-health App’ system contain the necessary data.

(6)

In addition, Georgia informed the Commission that it issues interoperable vaccination certificates for COVID-19 vaccines. These currently include Comirnaty, Vaxzevria, CoronaVac and the COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated by Sinopharm (Beijing Institute of Biological Products).

(7)

Georgia also informed the Commission that it issues interoperable test certificates for nucleic acid amplification tests, but not for rapid antigen tests.

(8)

Furthermore, Georgia informed the Commission that it issues interoperable certificates of recovery. Those certificates are valid for not more than 180 days after the date of the first positive test.

(9)

In addition, Georgia informed the Commission that when verifiers in Georgia verify certificates, the personal data included in them will be processed only to verify and confirm the holder’s vaccination, test result or recovery status and will not be retained afterwards.

(10)

The necessary elements for establishing that COVID-19 certificates issued by Georgia in accordance with the ‘Georgia e-health App’ system are to be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and are thus fulfilled.

(11)

Therefore, COVID-19 certificates issued by Georgia in accordance with the ‘Georgia e-health App’ system should be accepted under the conditions referred to in Article 5(5), Article 6(5), and Article 7(8) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(12)

In order for this Decision to be operational, Georgia should be connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(13)

In order to protect the Union’s interests, in particular in the area of public health, the Commission may use its powers to suspend application of this Decision or repeal it, if the conditions of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are no longer met.

(14)

In the light of the need to connect Georgia to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 as rapidly as possible, this Decision should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(1)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’) for the purpose of facilitating the holders’ exercise of their right to free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also to contribute to facilitating the gradual lifting of restrictions to free movement put in place by Member States, in accordance with Union law, to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, in a coordinated manner.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 allows for the acceptance of COVID-19 certificates issued by third countries to Union citizens and their family members where the Commission finds that those COVID-19 certificates are issued in accordance with standards that are to be considered as equivalent to those established pursuant to that Regulation. Furthermore, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/954 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Member States are to apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to third-country nationals who do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, but who are legally staying or residing in their territory and who are entitled to travel to other Member States in accordance with Union law. Therefore, any equivalence findings laid down in this Decision should apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia to Union citizens and their family members. Similarly, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2021/954, such equivalence findings should also apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States under the conditions laid down in that Regulation.

(3)

On 27 September 2021, the Republic of Serbia provided the Commission with detailed information on the issuance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates under the system entitled ‘Digital Green Certificate’. The Republic of Serbia informed the Commission that it considered that its COVID-19 certificates are being issued in accordance with a standard and a technological system, that are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and that allow for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. In this regard, the Republic of Serbia informed the Commission that COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the ‘Digital Green Certificate’ system contain the data set out in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(4)

The Republic of Serbia also informed the Commission that it accepts vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Member States and EEA countries in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(5)

On 3 November 2021, following a request by the Republic of Serbia the Commission carried out technical tests that demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia are in accordance with a system, the ‘Digital Green Certificate’, that is interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953, and allows for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. The Commission also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the ‘Digital Green Certificate’ system contain the necessary data.

(6)

In addition, the Republic of Serbia informed the Commission that it issues interoperable vaccination certificates for COVID-19 vaccines. Those vaccines currently include Comirnaty, Vaxzevria, BBIBP-CorV and Sputnik V.

(7)

The Republic of Serbia also informed the Commission that it issues interoperable test certificates for nucleic acid amplification tests and for rapid antigen tests listed in the common and updated list of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests agreed by the Health Security Committee, established by Article 17 of Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), on the basis of the Council Recommendation of 21 January 2021 (4).

(8)

Furthermore, the Republic of Serbia informed the Commission that it issues interoperable certificates of recovery. Those certificates are valid for not more than 180 days after the date of the first positive test.

(9)

In addition, the Republic of Serbia informed the Commission that when verifiers in Serbia verify certificates, the personal data included in them will be processed only to verify and confirm the holder’s vaccination, test result or recovery status and will not be retained afterwards.

(10)

The necessary elements for establishing that COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the ‘Digital Green Certificate’ system are to be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are thus fulfilled.

(11)

Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the ‘Digital Green Certificate’ system should be accepted under the conditions referred to in Article 5(5), Article 6(5) and Article 7(8) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(12)

In order for this Decision to be operational, the Republic of Serbia should be connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(13)

In order to protect the Union’s interests, in particular in the area of public health, the Commission may use its powers to suspend application of this Decision or repeal it, if the conditions of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are no longer met.

(14)

In order to connect the Republic of Serbia to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 as rapidly as possible, this Decision should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/953,