Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/521 making specific arrangements to the mechanism making the exportation of certain products subject to the production of an export authorisation

Summary:

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/521 adopted by the European Commission on 24 March 2021, introducing changes to the transparency and authorisation mechanism for COVID-19 vaccine exports.

Further information:

The European Commission adopted in January 2021 the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/111, aimed at making exportation of COVID-19 vaccines as well as active substances, including master and working cell banks, used to manufacture these vaccines, subject to the production of an export authorisation. This export authorisation mechanism only applies to exports from companies with which the EU has concluded Advance Purchase Agreements (APAs). In March 2021, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/442 introduced an extension to this measure.

This Implementing Regulation introduces the principles of reciprocity and proportionality as new criteria to be considered for authorising exports under this mechanism. It was adopted by the European Commission on 24 March 2021 and published in the Official Journal on the following day.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 24/03/2021: Commission strengthens transparency and authorisation mechanism for exports of COVID-19 vaccines https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1352

EPP Group: Newsroom, 24/03/2021: Tougher export restrictions needed to protect European vaccine supplies https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/tougher-export-restrictions-to-protect-eu-vaccine-supplies

European Commission: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the press conference on the export transparency and authorisation mechanism and an accelerated approval of adapted vaccines against COVID-19 variants (24 March 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_1383

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News

The Guardian, 23/03/2021: EU to widen criteria for possible Covid vaccine export bans https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/23/eu-expand-criteria-used-decide-block-covid-vaccine-shipments

Politico, 24/03/2021: EU moves toward six-week vaccine export cut https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-proposes-six-week-vaccine-export-ban-amid-fears-of-trade-war/

France24, 24/03/2021: EU tightens export curbs on Covid-19 vaccines in bid to avoid shortfalls https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210324-eu-to-tighten-export-curbs-on-covid-19-vaccines-seeking-reciprocal-trade

Deutsche Welle, 24/03/2021: EU tightens COVID vaccine export controls https://p.dw.com/p/3r3xM

Euronews, 24/03/2021: Brussels tightens vaccine export rules to ensure jabs stay in the bloc https://www.euronews.com/2021/03/24/uk-may-face-harder-job-getting-eu-vaccines-after-brussels-tightens-export-rules

EurActiv, 24/03/2021: EU to tighten export rules to stop one-way flow of vaccines https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-to-tighten-export-rules-to-stop-one-way-flow-of-vaccines/

Associated Press, 24/03/2021: EU moves toward stricter export controls for COVID-19 shots https://apnews.com/article/20d8d9b5c358b67b3ea5d3565c5e9e2d

Kathimerini, 24/03/2021: EU sharpens coronavirus vaccine export rules as third wave builds https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1157847/eu-sharpens-coronavirus-vaccine-export-rules-as-third-wave-builds/

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