{"change_dates":[],"dossier":{"amendments":[],"changes":{"2013-03-19T03:31:34":[{"data":[{"body":"EC","commission":[{"Commissioner":"MALMSTR\u00d6M Cecilia","DG":{"title":"Home Affairs","url":"http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/"}}],"date":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","docs":[{"celexid":"CELEX:52013PC0097:EN","title":"COM(2013)0097","type":"Legislative proposal published","url":"http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2013/0097/COM_COM(2013)0097_EN.pdf"},{"title":"SWD(2013)0050","type":"Document attached to the procedure","url":"http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SWD:2013:0050:FIN:EN:PDF"},{"title":"SWD(2013)0051","type":"Document attached to the procedure","url":"http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SWD:2013:0051:FIN:EN:PDF"},{"title":"SWD(2013)0052","type":"Document attached to the procedure","url":"http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SWD:2013:0052:FIN:EN:PDF"}],"type":"Legislative proposal"},{"body":"EP","committees":[{"body":"EP","committee":"AFET","committee_full":"Foreign Affairs","responsible":false},{"body":"EP","committee":"BUDG","committee_full":"Budgets","responsible":false},{"body":"EP","committee":"DEVE","committee_full":"Development","responsible":false},{"body":"EP","committee":"LIBE","committee_full":"Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs","responsible":true}],"date":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","type":"Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading"}],"path":["activities"],"type":"added"},{"data":[{"body":"EC","commissioner":"MALMSTR\u00d6M Cecilia","dg":{"title":"Home Affairs","url":"http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/"}}],"path":["other"],"type":"added"},{"data":[{"body":"EP","committee":"AFET","committee_full":"Foreign Affairs","responsible":false},{"body":"EP","committee":"BUDG","committee_full":"Budgets","responsible":false},{"body":"EP","committee":"DEVE","committee_full":"Development","responsible":false},{"body":"EP","committee":"LIBE","committee_full":"Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs","responsible":true}],"path":["committees"],"type":"added"},{"data":{"European Commission":{"title":"PreLex","url":"http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/liste_resultats.cfm?CL=en&ReqId=0&DocType=COD&DocYear=2013&DocNum=0059"},"National parliaments":{"title":"IPEX","url":"http://www.ipex.eu/IPEXL-WEB/dossier/dossier.do?code=COD&year=2013&number=0059&appLng=EN"}},"path":["links"],"type":"added"},{"data":{"dossier_of_the_committee":"LIBE/7/12185","instrument":"Regulation","legal_basis":["Treaty on the Functioning of the EU TFEU 074","Treaty on the Functioning of the EU TFEU 077-p2"],"reference":"2013/0059(COD)","stage_reached":"Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage","subject":["7.10.02 Schengen area","7.10.04 External borders crossing and controls, visas"],"subtype":"Legislation","summary":["See also"],"title":"Registered Traveller Programme (RTP)","type":"COD - Ordinary legislative procedure (ex-codecision procedure)"},"path":["procedure"],"type":"added"}],"2013-03-27T05:02:50":[{"data":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","path":["activities",1,"committees",3,"date"],"type":"added"},{"data":[{"group":"S&D","mepref":"4de184800fb8127435bdbda1","name":"ENCIU Ioan"}],"path":["activities",1,"committees",3,"rapporteur"],"type":"added"},{"data":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","path":["committees",3,"date"],"type":"added"},{"data":[{"group":"S&D","mepref":"4de184800fb8127435bdbda1","name":"ENCIU Ioan"}],"path":["committees",3,"rapporteur"],"type":"added"}],"2013-04-08T22:44:07":[{"data":["
PURPOSE: to establish a Registered Traveller Programme\n(RTP) for third country national who travel frequently in the\nEuropean Union.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament\nand of the Council.
\nROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament decides in\naccordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal\nfooting with the Council.
\nBACKGROUND: according to the Schengen Borders\nCode, EU citizens and other\npersons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (e.g.\nfamily members of EU citizens) crossing the external border shall\nbe subject to a minimum check, both at entry and exit, consisting\nof the verification of the travel document in order to establish\nthe identity of the person. On the other hand, all third country\nnationals however must be subject, at entry, to a thorough\ncheck.
\nHowever, current rules for third-country nationals\ncould be described as \"one-size-fits-all\" as the same checks apply\nregardless of any differences in risk between different travellers\nor their frequency of travel. This is because current\nlegislation does not allow for exceptions to the principle of\nthorough border checks except for certain categories of\nthird-country nationals, such as Heads of States, cross-border\nworkers and border residents. Only a very small\nminority of persons crossing the external border are able to\nbenefit from the above-mentioned exceptions (equivalent to 0.2 % of\ntotal passenger flows).
\nTaking into account the foreseen increase in passenger\nflows at the external borders, an alternative border check\nprocedure should be offered for frequent third-country\ntravellers moving gradually away from a \"country-centric\"\napproach towards a \"person-centric\" approach.
\nThis is what is proposed in this proposed Regulation\nestablishing a totally automated Registered Traveller\nProgramme.
\nThe establishment of an Entry/Exit\nSystem (EES) with or without biometrics which\nwould record entries and exits of third-country nationals for short\nstays at the external borders would be the precondition for\nallowing full automation of the border checks for registered\ntravellers.
\nThe RTP together with the EES will improve management\nand control of travel flows at the border substantially by\nreinforcing checks while speeding up border crossings for frequent,\npre-vetted non EU travellers.
\nIt should be noted that this proposal has been\npresented together with a proposal to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) for third\ncountry nationals and a proposal to amend the\nCommunity Code on the rules governing checks at external border\ncrossing points and surveillance at the external border (Schengen Borders Code) for\nthe purpose of the functioning of the two new systems.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: a first impact assessment was carried\nout in 2008 when preparing the Commission Communication on\nthis subject (please refer to the European Parliaments\nposition on this question 2008/2181(INI)).
\nA second was completed in 2013.\nIt analysed key implementation options. After\nthe analysis of the options and their sub-options, a fee-based\nRTP for pre-vetted and pre-screened frequent third-country\ntravellers with the data (biometrics, alphanumeric data and unique\nidentifier number) stored in a Central Repository and the unique\nidentifier (application number) stored in a token was\nfound to be the most feasible option to guarantee smooth passenger\nflows at the external borders without decreasing the level of\nsecurity at the EU.
\nThis option would entail:
\nThe preferred option would therefore provide for a\nproportionate balance between security, facilitation and data\nprotection.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Articles 74 and 77(2)(b) and (d) of the\nTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
\nCONTENT: the proposal has three main\nobjectives:
\nSet-up and technical architecture of the\nRTP: the RTP shall be based on a\nsystem for the storage of data on registered travellers which\nrelies on tokens kept by the individual travellers on the one hand\nand on a Central Repository, a centrally located physical storage\nof the RTP data, on the other, together referred to as the\n\"token-Central Repository\".
\nThe\ntoken-Central Repository system comprises the\nfollowing: (i) a Central Repository and back-up Central Repository;\n(ii) uniform interfaces in each Member State, based on common\ntechnical specifications ; (iii) national network entry points\nlinked to the Central Repository; (iv) a communications\ninfrastructure linking the Central Repository and the network entry\npoints; and (v) a token in the form of a machine-readable card,\nbased on common technical standards, containing only a unique\nidentifier.
\nLodging an application for inclusion in the\nRTP: the proposal stipulates the\nprocedures for acceptance to the RTP for those persons concerned.\nTechnically, third-country nationals should be able to lodge an\napplication for the RTP at the consulate of any Member State, at\nany common application centre, or at any external border crossing\npoint.
\nAn online\napplication may also be made. Where an applicant is applying\nfor access to the RTP for the first time, he/she shall be required\nto appear in person, in order to provide his/her\nfingerprints, for interview and for the travel document to\nbe checked.
\nWhere an applicant\nsubmits an on-line application, the biometric data shall be\ncollected, the travel document checked and an interview carried\nout, if applicable, when the decision on the application is made\nand the token is issued.
\nTechnical provisions are laid down stipulating the\nconditions to be met by the applicant to obtain his/her\ntoken:
\nAn application\nwhich is admissible shall be decided on by the competent\nauthorities within 25 calendar days from the date of\nsubmission.
\nDuration of granting of access to the RTP:\ninitial access to the RTP shall be granted for\none year. Access may be extended for two years upon request,\nfollowed by a further two years without a new application in the\ncase of travellers who have followed the rules and regulations laid\ndown for crossing the external border and for staying in the\nSchengen area. The period of access granted shall not exceed the\nvalidity of the travel document(s), visa, residence permit or\nresidence card, if applicable.
\nProvisions are laid down in regard to the extension,\nrefusal or revocation of access to the RTP.
\nOperation of the system for registered\ntravellers:
\nOnce an application for the RTP has been validated, a\nregistered traveller would be issued a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card containing only a unique identifier\n(i.e. application number), which is swiped on arrival and departure\nat the border using an automated gate. The gate would read\nthe token and the travel document (and visa sticker number, if\napplicable) and the fingerprints of the travellers, which would be\ncompared to the ones stored in the Central Repository and other\ndatabases, including the Visa Information system (VIS) for visa\nholders. If all checks are successful, the traveller is able to\npass through the automated gate.
\nAdministrative management and organisation:\nprovisions are laid down for ensuring the\nadministrative management of the system. Each Member State\nshall be responsible for organising the procedures related to\nsubmission and examination of applications as well as issuing\ntokens.
\nData protection and use of data: the proposal includes a number of provisions on data\nprotection, as well as defining strictly those persons with\nexclusive access to the RTP having the right to enter, amend,\ndelete and consult data depending on the objectives pursued.\nNational authorities should be designated to this end.
\nThe proposal specifies the categories of data that\nwill be entered by the competent authorities in the combined system\nof the Central Repository and the tokens, the procedures to be\nfollowed when entering data, as well as the specific and strictly\nlimited cases of where these data may be used by the authorised\npersons.
\nProvision is also made for data security, control of\nthe use of data, as well as for sanctions in the event of their\ninappropriate use and for procedural guarantees for persons whose\ndata have been used (including appeal mechanisms, etc.).
\nRole of the Agency: the\nEuropean Agency for the operational management of large-scale\ninformation systems in the area of freedom, security and justice\nshall be entrusted with the tasks of development and operational\nmanagement of the EES. The Agency shall be responsible for the\ndevelopment of the Central Unit, the Back-Up Central Unit, the\nUniform Interfaces including the Network Entry Points and the\nCommunication Infrastructure. Technical provisions lay down the\ntasks, mission and responsibilities of the Agency in this context.\nProvisions are also included defining the Member States\nresponsibilities in regard to the EES infrastructure and its\nuse.
\nOperational management of the EES shall consist of all\nthe tasks necessary to keep the EES functioning 24 hours a day, 7\ndays a week.
\nEvaluation: two years\nafter the start of operations of the EES and every two years\nthereafter, the Agency shall submit to the European Parliament, the\nCouncil and the Commission a report on the technical functioning of\nEES, including the security thereof. For its part, , the Commission\nshall produce an overall evaluation of the EES two years after the\nEES is brought into operation and every four years\nthereafter.
\nTerritorial measures: given that the proposal constitutes a further\ndevelopment of the Schengen acquis, it will have direct\nconsequences for certain Member States and associated countries, in\naccordance with the relevant texts of the Treaties, Protocols and\nAgreements concluded with third countries:
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATION: the Commission's proposal for the next multi-annual\nfinancial framework (MFF) includes a proposal of EUR 4.6 billion\nfor the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the period 2014-2020.\nIn the proposal, EUR 1.1 billion is set aside as an indicative\namount for the development of an EES and an RTP assuming\ndevelopment costs would start from 2015.
\nThis financial support would cover not only the costs\nof central components for the entire MFF period (EU level, both\ndevelopment and operational cost) but also the development costs\nfor the national, Member States, components of these two systems,\nwithin the resources available.
\nDELEGATED ACTS: the power to adopt acts in accordance\nwith Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European\nUnion should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the\nadoption of technical amendments to the annexes.
\nPURPOSE: to establish a Registered Traveller Programme\n(RTP) for third country national who travel frequently in the\nEuropean Union.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament\nand of the Council.
\nROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament decides in\naccordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal\nfooting with the Council.
\nBACKGROUND: according to the Schengen Borders\nCode, EU citizens and other\npersons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (e.g.\nfamily members of EU citizens) crossing the external border shall\nbe subject to a minimum check, both at entry and exit, consisting\nof the verification of the travel document in order to establish\nthe identity of the person. On the other hand, all third country\nnationals however must be subject, at entry, to a thorough\ncheck.
\nHowever, current rules for third-country nationals\ncould be described as \"one-size-fits-all\" as the same checks apply\nregardless of any differences in risk between different travellers\nor their frequency of travel. This is because current\nlegislation does not allow for exceptions to the principle of\nthorough border checks except for certain categories of\nthird-country nationals, such as Heads of States, cross-border\nworkers and border residents. Only a very small\nminority of persons crossing the external border are able to\nbenefit from the above-mentioned exceptions (equivalent to 0.2 % of\ntotal passenger flows).
\nTaking into account the foreseen increase in passenger\nflows at the external borders, an alternative border check\nprocedure should be offered for frequent third-country\ntravellers moving gradually away from a \"country-centric\"\napproach towards a \"person-centric\" approach.
\nThis is what is proposed in this proposed Regulation\nestablishing a totally automated Registered Traveller\nProgramme.
\nThe establishment of an Entry/Exit\nSystem (EES) with or without biometrics which\nwould record entries and exits of third-country nationals for short\nstays at the external borders would be the precondition for\nallowing full automation of the border checks for registered\ntravellers.
\nThe RTP together with the EES will improve management\nand control of travel flows at the border substantially by\nreinforcing checks while speeding up border crossings for frequent,\npre-vetted non EU travellers.
\nIt should be noted that this proposal has been\npresented together with a proposal to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) for third\ncountry nationals and a proposal to amend the\nCommunity Code on the rules governing checks at external border\ncrossing points and surveillance at the external border (Schengen Borders Code) for\nthe purpose of the functioning of the two new systems.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: a first impact assessment was carried\nout in 2008 when preparing the Commission Communication on\nthis subject (please refer to the European Parliaments\nposition on this question 2008/2181(INI)).
\nA second was completed in 2013.\nIt analysed key implementation options. After\nthe analysis of the options and their sub-options, a fee-based\nRTP for pre-vetted and pre-screened frequent third-country\ntravellers with the data (biometrics, alphanumeric data and unique\nidentifier number) stored in a Central Repository and the unique\nidentifier (application number) stored in a token was\nfound to be the most feasible option to guarantee smooth passenger\nflows at the external borders without decreasing the level of\nsecurity at the EU.
\nThis option would entail:
\nThe preferred option would therefore provide for a\nproportionate balance between security, facilitation and data\nprotection.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Articles 74 and 77(2)(b) and (d) of the\nTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
\nCONTENT: the proposal has three main\nobjectives:
\nSet-up and technical architecture of the\nRTP: the RTP shall be based on a\nsystem for the storage of data on registered travellers which\nrelies on tokens kept by the individual travellers on the one hand\nand on a Central Repository, a centrally located physical storage\nof the RTP data, on the other, together referred to as the\n\"token-Central Repository\".
\nThe\ntoken-Central Repository system comprises the\nfollowing: (i) a Central Repository and back-up Central Repository;\n(ii) uniform interfaces in each Member State, based on common\ntechnical specifications ; (iii) national network entry points\nlinked to the Central Repository; (iv) a communications\ninfrastructure linking the Central Repository and the network entry\npoints; and (v) a token in the form of a machine-readable card,\nbased on common technical standards, containing only a unique\nidentifier.
\nLodging an application for inclusion in the\nRTP: the proposal stipulates the\nprocedures for acceptance to the RTP for those persons concerned.\nTechnically, third-country nationals should be able to lodge an\napplication for the RTP at the consulate of any Member State, at\nany common application centre, or at any external border crossing\npoint.
\nAn online\napplication may also be made. Where an applicant is applying\nfor access to the RTP for the first time, he/she shall be required\nto appear in person, in order to provide his/her\nfingerprints, for interview and for the travel document to\nbe checked.
\nWhere an applicant\nsubmits an on-line application, the biometric data shall be\ncollected, the travel document checked and an interview carried\nout, if applicable, when the decision on the application is made\nand the token is issued.
\nTechnical provisions are laid down stipulating the\nconditions to be met by the applicant to obtain his/her\ntoken:
\nAn application\nwhich is admissible shall be decided on by the competent\nauthorities within 25 calendar days from the date of\nsubmission.
\nDuration of granting of access to the RTP:\ninitial access to the RTP shall be granted for\none year. Access may be extended for two years upon request,\nfollowed by a further two years without a new application in the\ncase of travellers who have followed the rules and regulations laid\ndown for crossing the external border and for staying in the\nSchengen area. The period of access granted shall not exceed the\nvalidity of the travel document(s), visa, residence permit or\nresidence card, if applicable.
\nProvisions are laid down in regard to the extension,\nrefusal or revocation of access to the RTP.
\nOperation of the system for registered\ntravellers:
\nOnce an application for the RTP has been validated, a\nregistered traveller would be issued a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card containing only a unique identifier\n(i.e. application number), which is swiped on arrival and departure\nat the border using an automated gate. The gate would read\nthe token and the travel document (and visa sticker number, if\napplicable) and the fingerprints of the travellers, which would be\ncompared to the ones stored in the Central Repository and other\ndatabases, including the Visa Information system (VIS) for visa\nholders. If all checks are successful, the traveller is able to\npass through the automated gate.
\nAdministrative management and organisation:\nprovisions are laid down for ensuring the\nadministrative management of the system. Each Member State\nshall be responsible for organising the procedures related to\nsubmission and examination of applications as well as issuing\ntokens.
\nData protection and use of data: the proposal includes a number of provisions on data\nprotection, as well as defining strictly those persons with\nexclusive access to the RTP having the right to enter, amend,\ndelete and consult data depending on the objectives pursued.\nNational authorities should be designated to this end.
\nThe proposal specifies the categories of data that\nwill be entered by the competent authorities in the combined system\nof the Central Repository and the tokens, the procedures to be\nfollowed when entering data, as well as the specific and strictly\nlimited cases of where these data may be used by the authorised\npersons.
\nProvision is also made for data security, control of\nthe use of data, as well as for sanctions in the event of their\ninappropriate use and for procedural guarantees for persons whose\ndata have been used (including appeal mechanisms, etc.).
\nRole of the Agency: the\nEuropean Agency for the operational management of large-scale\ninformation systems in the area of freedom, security and justice\nshall be entrusted with the tasks of development and operational\nmanagement of the EES. The Agency shall be responsible for the\ndevelopment of the Central Unit, the Back-Up Central Unit, the\nUniform Interfaces including the Network Entry Points and the\nCommunication Infrastructure. Technical provisions lay down the\ntasks, mission and responsibilities of the Agency in this context.\nProvisions are also included defining the Member States\nresponsibilities in regard to the EES infrastructure and its\nuse.
\nOperational management of the EES shall consist of all\nthe tasks necessary to keep the EES functioning 24 hours a day, 7\ndays a week.
\nEvaluation: two years\nafter the start of operations of the EES and every two years\nthereafter, the Agency shall submit to the European Parliament, the\nCouncil and the Commission a report on the technical functioning of\nEES, including the security thereof. For its part, , the Commission\nshall produce an overall evaluation of the EES two years after the\nEES is brought into operation and every four years\nthereafter.
\nTerritorial measures: given that the proposal constitutes a further\ndevelopment of the Schengen acquis, it will have direct\nconsequences for certain Member States and associated countries, in\naccordance with the relevant texts of the Treaties, Protocols and\nAgreements concluded with third countries:
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATION: the Commission's proposal for the next multi-annual\nfinancial framework (MFF) includes a proposal of EUR 4.6 billion\nfor the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the period 2014-2020.\nIn the proposal, EUR 1.1 billion is set aside as an indicative\namount for the development of an EES and an RTP assuming\ndevelopment costs would start from 2015.
\nThis financial support would cover not only the costs\nof central components for the entire MFF period (EU level, both\ndevelopment and operational cost) but also the development costs\nfor the national, Member States, components of these two systems,\nwithin the resources available.
\nDELEGATED ACTS: the power to adopt acts in accordance\nwith Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European\nUnion should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the\nadoption of technical amendments to the annexes.
\nPURPOSE: to establish a Registered Traveller Programme\n(RTP) for third country national who travel frequently in the\nEuropean Union.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament\nand of the Council.
\nROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament decides in\naccordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal\nfooting with the Council.
\nBACKGROUND: according to the Schengen Borders\nCode, EU citizens and other\npersons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (e.g.\nfamily members of EU citizens) crossing the external border shall\nbe subject to a minimum check, both at entry and exit, consisting\nof the verification of the travel document in order to establish\nthe identity of the person. On the other hand, all third country\nnationals however must be subject, at entry, to a thorough\ncheck.
\nHowever, current rules for third-country nationals\ncould be described as \"one-size-fits-all\" as the same checks apply\nregardless of any differences in risk between different travellers\nor their frequency of travel. This is because current legislation\ndoes not allow for exceptions to the principle of thorough border\nchecks except for certain categories of third-country nationals,\nsuch as Heads of States, cross-border workers and border residents.\nOnly a very small minority of persons crossing the external border\nare able to benefit from the above-mentioned exceptions (equivalent\nto 0.2 % of total passenger flows).
\nTaking into account the foreseen increase in passenger\nflows at the external borders, an alternative border check\nprocedure should be offered for frequent third-country\ntravellers moving gradually away from a \"country-centric\"\napproach towards a \"person-centric\" approach.
\nThis is what is proposed in this proposed Regulation\nestablishing a totally automated Registered Traveller\nProgramme.
\nThe establishment of an Entry/Exit\nSystem (EES) with or without biometrics which\nwould record entries and exits of third-country nationals for short\nstays at the external borders would be the precondition for\nallowing full automation of the border checks for registered\ntravellers.
\nThe RTP together with the EES will improve management\nand control of travel flows at the border substantially by\nreinforcing checks while speeding up border crossings for frequent,\npre-vetted non EU travellers.
\nIt should be noted that this proposal has been\npresented together with a proposal to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) for third\ncountry nationals and a proposal to amend the\nCommunity Code on the rules governing checks at external border\ncrossing points and surveillance at the external border (Schengen Borders Code) for\nthe purpose of the functioning of the two new systems.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: a first impact assessment was carried\nout in 2008 when preparing the Commission Communication on\nthis subject (please refer to the European Parliaments\nposition on this question 2008/2181(INI)).
\nA second was completed in 2013. It analysed key implementation\noptions. After the analysis of the options and their sub-options, a\nfee-based RTP for pre-vetted and pre-screened frequent\nthird-country travellers with the data (biometrics, alphanumeric\ndata and unique identifier number) stored in a Central Repository\nand the unique identifier (application number) stored in\na token was found to be the most feasible option to guarantee\nsmooth passenger flows at the external borders without decreasing\nthe level of security at the EU.
\nThis option would\nentail:
\nThe preferred option would therefore provide for a\nproportionate balance between security, facilitation and data\nprotection.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Articles 74 and 77(2)(b) and (d) of the\nTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
\nCONTENT: the proposal has three main\nobjectives:
\nSet-up and technical architecture of the\nRTP: the RTP shall be based on a\nsystem for the storage of data on registered travellers which\nrelies on tokens kept by the individual travellers on the one hand\nand on a Central Repository, a centrally located physical storage\nof the RTP data, on the other, together referred to as the\n\"token-Central Repository\".
\nThe token-Central Repository system\ncomprises the following: (i) a Central Repository and back-up\nCentral Repository; (ii) uniform interfaces in each Member State,\nbased on common technical specifications ; (iii) national\nnetwork entry points linked to the Central Repository; (iv) a\ncommunications infrastructure linking the Central Repository and\nthe network entry points; and (v) a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card, based on common technical standards,\ncontaining only a unique identifier.
\nLodging an application for inclusion in the\nRTP: the proposal stipulates the\nprocedures for acceptance to the RTP for those persons concerned.\nTechnically, third-country nationals should be able to lodge an\napplication for the RTP at the consulate of any Member State, at\nany common application centre, or at any external border crossing\npoint.
\nAn online application may also be made.\nWhere an applicant is applying for access to the\nRTP for the first time, he/she shall be required to appear in\nperson, in order to provide his/her fingerprints, for\ninterview and for the travel document to be checked.
\nWhere an applicant submits an on-line application, the\nbiometric data shall be collected, the travel document checked and\nan interview carried out, if applicable, when the decision on the\napplication is made and the token is issued.
\nTechnical provisions are laid down stipulating the\nconditions to be met by the applicant to obtain his/her\ntoken:
\nAn application which is admissible shall be decided on\nby the competent authorities within 25 calendar days from the date\nof submission.
\nDuration of granting of access to the RTP:\ninitial access to the RTP shall be granted for\none year. Access may be extended for two years upon request,\nfollowed by a further two years without a new application in the\ncase of travellers who have followed the rules and regulations laid\ndown for crossing the external border and for staying in the\nSchengen area. The period of access granted shall not exceed the\nvalidity of the travel document(s), visa, residence permit or\nresidence card, if applicable.
\nProvisions are laid down in regard to the extension,\nrefusal or revocation of access to the RTP.
\nOperation of the system for registered\ntravellers:
\nOnce an application for the RTP has been validated, a\nregistered traveller would be issued a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card containing only a unique identifier\n(i.e. application number), which is swiped on arrival and departure\nat the border using an automated gate. The gate would read the\ntoken and the travel document (and visa sticker number, if\napplicable) and the fingerprints of the travellers, which would be\ncompared to the ones stored in the Central Repository and other\ndatabases, including the Visa Information system (VIS) for visa\nholders. If all checks are successful, the traveller is able to\npass through the automated gate.
\nAdministrative management and organisation:\nprovisions are laid down for ensuring the\nadministrative management of the system. Each Member State shall be\nresponsible for organising the procedures related to submission and\nexamination of applications as well as issuing tokens.
\nData protection and use of data: the proposal includes a number of provisions on data\nprotection, as well as defining strictly those persons with\nexclusive access to the RTP having the right to enter, amend,\ndelete and consult data depending on the objectives pursued.\nNational authorities should be designated to this end.
\nThe proposal specifies the categories of data that\nwill be entered by the competent authorities in the combined system\nof the Central Repository and the tokens, the procedures to be\nfollowed when entering data, as well as the specific and strictly\nlimited cases of where these data may be used by the authorised\npersons.
\nProvision is also made for data security, control of\nthe use of data, as well as for sanctions in the event of their\ninappropriate use and for procedural guarantees for persons whose\ndata have been used (including appeal mechanisms, etc.).
\nRole of the Agency: the\nEuropean Agency for the operational management of large-scale\ninformation systems in the area of freedom, security and justice\nshall be entrusted with the tasks of development and operational\nmanagement of the EES. The Agency shall be responsible for the\ndevelopment of the Central Unit, the Back-Up Central Unit, the\nUniform Interfaces including the Network Entry Points and the\nCommunication Infrastructure. Technical provisions lay down the\ntasks, mission and responsibilities of the Agency in this context.\nProvisions are also included defining the Member States\nresponsibilities in regard to the EES infrastructure and its\nuse.
\nOperational management of the EES shall consist of all\nthe tasks necessary to keep the EES functioning 24 hours a day, 7\ndays a week.
\nEvaluation: two years\nafter the start of operations of the EES and every two years\nthereafter, the Agency shall submit to the European Parliament, the\nCouncil and the Commission a report on the technical functioning of\nEES, including the security thereof. For its part, , the Commission\nshall produce an overall evaluation of the EES two years after the\nEES is brought into operation and every four years\nthereafter.
\nTerritorial measures: given that the proposal constitutes a further\ndevelopment of the Schengen acquis, it will have direct\nconsequences for certain Member States and associated countries, in\naccordance with the relevant texts of the Treaties, Protocols and\nAgreements concluded with third countries:
\nBUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the Commission's proposal for\nthe next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) includes a proposal\nof EUR 4.6 billion for the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the\nperiod 2014-2020. In the proposal, EUR 1.1 billion is set aside\nas an indicative amount for the development of an EES and an\nRTP assuming development costs would start from\n2015.
\nThis financial support would cover not only the costs\nof central components for the entire MFF period (EU level, both\ndevelopment and operational cost) but also the development costs\nfor the national, Member States, components of these two systems,\nwithin the resources available.
\nDELEGATED ACTS: the power to adopt acts in accordance\nwith Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European\nUnion should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the\nadoption of technical amendments to the annexes.
\nPURPOSE: to establish a Registered Traveller Programme\n(RTP) for third country national who travel frequently in the\nEuropean Union.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament\nand of the Council.
\nROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament decides in\naccordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal\nfooting with the Council.
\nBACKGROUND: according to the Schengen Borders\nCode, EU citizens and other\npersons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (e.g.\nfamily members of EU citizens) crossing the external border shall\nbe subject to a minimum check, both at entry and exit, consisting\nof the verification of the travel document in order to establish\nthe identity of the person. On the other hand, all third country\nnationals however must be subject, at entry, to a thorough\ncheck.
\nHowever, current rules for third-country nationals\ncould be described as \"one-size-fits-all\" as the same checks apply\nregardless of any differences in risk between different travellers\nor their frequency of travel. This is because current legislation\ndoes not allow for exceptions to the principle of thorough border\nchecks except for certain categories of third-country nationals,\nsuch as Heads of States, cross-border workers and border residents.\nOnly a very small minority of persons crossing the external border\nare able to benefit from the above-mentioned exceptions (equivalent\nto 0.2 % of total passenger flows).
\nTaking into account the foreseen increase in passenger\nflows at the external borders, an alternative border check\nprocedure should be offered for frequent third-country\ntravellers moving gradually away from a \"country-centric\"\napproach towards a \"person-centric\" approach.
\nThis is what is proposed in this proposed Regulation\nestablishing a totally automated Registered Traveller\nProgramme.
\nThe establishment of an Entry/Exit\nSystem (EES) with or without biometrics which\nwould record entries and exits of third-country nationals for short\nstays at the external borders would be the precondition for\nallowing full automation of the border checks for registered\ntravellers.
\nThe RTP together with the EES will improve management\nand control of travel flows at the border substantially by\nreinforcing checks while speeding up border crossings for frequent,\npre-vetted non EU travellers.
\nIt should be noted that this proposal has been\npresented together with a proposal to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) for third\ncountry nationals and a proposal to amend the\nCommunity Code on the rules governing checks at external border\ncrossing points and surveillance at the external border (Schengen Borders Code) for\nthe purpose of the functioning of the two new systems.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: a first impact assessment was carried\nout in 2008 when preparing the Commission Communication on\nthis subject (please refer to the European Parliaments\nposition on this question 2008/2181(INI)).
\nA second was completed in 2013. It analysed key implementation\noptions. After the analysis of the options and their sub-options, a\nfee-based RTP for pre-vetted and pre-screened frequent\nthird-country travellers with the data (biometrics, alphanumeric\ndata and unique identifier number) stored in a Central Repository\nand the unique identifier (application number) stored in\na token was found to be the most feasible option to guarantee\nsmooth passenger flows at the external borders without decreasing\nthe level of security at the EU.
\nThis option would\nentail:
\nThe preferred option would therefore provide for a\nproportionate balance between security, facilitation and data\nprotection.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Articles 74 and 77(2)(b) and (d) of the\nTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
\nCONTENT: the proposal has three main\nobjectives:
\nSet-up and technical architecture of the\nRTP: the RTP shall be based on a\nsystem for the storage of data on registered travellers which\nrelies on tokens kept by the individual travellers on the one hand\nand on a Central Repository, a centrally located physical storage\nof the RTP data, on the other, together referred to as the\n\"token-Central Repository\".
\nThe token-Central Repository system\ncomprises the following: (i) a Central Repository and back-up\nCentral Repository; (ii) uniform interfaces in each Member State,\nbased on common technical specifications ; (iii) national\nnetwork entry points linked to the Central Repository; (iv) a\ncommunications infrastructure linking the Central Repository and\nthe network entry points; and (v) a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card, based on common technical standards,\ncontaining only a unique identifier.
\nLodging an application for inclusion in the\nRTP: the proposal stipulates the\nprocedures for acceptance to the RTP for those persons concerned.\nTechnically, third-country nationals should be able to lodge an\napplication for the RTP at the consulate of any Member State, at\nany common application centre, or at any external border crossing\npoint.
\nAn online application may also be made.\nWhere an applicant is applying for access to the\nRTP for the first time, he/she shall be required to appear in\nperson, in order to provide his/her fingerprints, for\ninterview and for the travel document to be checked.
\nWhere an applicant submits an on-line application, the\nbiometric data shall be collected, the travel document checked and\nan interview carried out, if applicable, when the decision on the\napplication is made and the token is issued.
\nTechnical provisions are laid down stipulating the\nconditions to be met by the applicant to obtain his/her\ntoken:
\nAn application which is admissible shall be decided on\nby the competent authorities within 25 calendar days from the date\nof submission.
\nDuration of granting of access to the RTP:\ninitial access to the RTP shall be granted for\none year. Access may be extended for two years upon request,\nfollowed by a further two years without a new application in the\ncase of travellers who have followed the rules and regulations laid\ndown for crossing the external border and for staying in the\nSchengen area. The period of access granted shall not exceed the\nvalidity of the travel document(s), visa, residence permit or\nresidence card, if applicable.
\nProvisions are laid down in regard to the extension,\nrefusal or revocation of access to the RTP.
\nOperation of the system for registered\ntravellers:
\nOnce an application for the RTP has been validated, a\nregistered traveller would be issued a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card containing only a unique identifier\n(i.e. application number), which is swiped on arrival and departure\nat the border using an automated gate. The gate would read the\ntoken and the travel document (and visa sticker number, if\napplicable) and the fingerprints of the travellers, which would be\ncompared to the ones stored in the Central Repository and other\ndatabases, including the Visa Information system (VIS) for visa\nholders. If all checks are successful, the traveller is able to\npass through the automated gate.
\nAdministrative management and organisation:\nprovisions are laid down for ensuring the\nadministrative management of the system. Each Member State shall be\nresponsible for organising the procedures related to submission and\nexamination of applications as well as issuing tokens.
\nData protection and use of data: the proposal includes a number of provisions on data\nprotection, as well as defining strictly those persons with\nexclusive access to the RTP having the right to enter, amend,\ndelete and consult data depending on the objectives pursued.\nNational authorities should be designated to this end.
\nThe proposal specifies the categories of data that\nwill be entered by the competent authorities in the combined system\nof the Central Repository and the tokens, the procedures to be\nfollowed when entering data, as well as the specific and strictly\nlimited cases of where these data may be used by the authorised\npersons.
\nProvision is also made for data security, control of\nthe use of data, as well as for sanctions in the event of their\ninappropriate use and for procedural guarantees for persons whose\ndata have been used (including appeal mechanisms, etc.).
\nRole of the Agency: the\nEuropean Agency for the operational management of large-scale\ninformation systems in the area of freedom, security and justice\nshall be entrusted with the tasks of development and operational\nmanagement of the EES. The Agency shall be responsible for the\ndevelopment of the Central Unit, the Back-Up Central Unit, the\nUniform Interfaces including the Network Entry Points and the\nCommunication Infrastructure. Technical provisions lay down the\ntasks, mission and responsibilities of the Agency in this context.\nProvisions are also included defining the Member States\nresponsibilities in regard to the EES infrastructure and its\nuse.
\nOperational management of the EES shall consist of all\nthe tasks necessary to keep the EES functioning 24 hours a day, 7\ndays a week.
\nEvaluation: two years\nafter the start of operations of the EES and every two years\nthereafter, the Agency shall submit to the European Parliament, the\nCouncil and the Commission a report on the technical functioning of\nEES, including the security thereof. For its part, , the Commission\nshall produce an overall evaluation of the EES two years after the\nEES is brought into operation and every four years\nthereafter.
\nTerritorial measures: given that the proposal constitutes a further\ndevelopment of the Schengen acquis, it will have direct\nconsequences for certain Member States and associated countries, in\naccordance with the relevant texts of the Treaties, Protocols and\nAgreements concluded with third countries:
\nBUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the Commission's proposal for\nthe next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) includes a proposal\nof EUR 4.6 billion for the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the\nperiod 2014-2020. In the proposal, EUR 1.1 billion is set aside\nas an indicative amount for the development of an EES and an\nRTP assuming development costs would start from\n2015.
\nThis financial support would cover not only the costs\nof central components for the entire MFF period (EU level, both\ndevelopment and operational cost) but also the development costs\nfor the national, Member States, components of these two systems,\nwithin the resources available.
\nDELEGATED ACTS: the power to adopt acts in accordance\nwith Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European\nUnion should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the\nadoption of technical amendments to the annexes.
\nPURPOSE: to establish a Registered Traveller Programme\n(RTP) for third country national who travel frequently in the\nEuropean Union.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament\nand of the Council.
\nROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament decides in\naccordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal\nfooting with the Council.
\nBACKGROUND: according to the Schengen Borders\nCode, EU citizens and other\npersons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (e.g.\nfamily members of EU citizens) crossing the external border shall\nbe subject to a minimum check, both at entry and exit, consisting\nof the verification of the travel document in order to establish\nthe identity of the person. On the other hand, all third country\nnationals however must be subject, at entry, to a thorough\ncheck.
\nHowever, current rules for third-country nationals\ncould be described as \"one-size-fits-all\" as the same checks apply\nregardless of any differences in risk between different travellers\nor their frequency of travel. This is because current legislation\ndoes not allow for exceptions to the principle of thorough border\nchecks except for certain categories of third-country nationals,\nsuch as Heads of States, cross-border workers and border residents.\nOnly a very small minority of persons crossing the external border\nare able to benefit from the above-mentioned exceptions (equivalent\nto 0.2 % of total passenger flows).
\nTaking into account the foreseen increase in passenger\nflows at the external borders, an alternative border check\nprocedure should be offered for frequent third-country\ntravellers moving gradually away from a \"country-centric\"\napproach towards a \"person-centric\" approach.
\nThis is what is proposed in this proposed Regulation\nestablishing a totally automated Registered Traveller\nProgramme.
\nThe establishment of an Entry/Exit\nSystem (EES) with or without biometrics which\nwould record entries and exits of third-country nationals for short\nstays at the external borders would be the precondition for\nallowing full automation of the border checks for registered\ntravellers.
\nThe RTP together with the EES will improve management\nand control of travel flows at the border substantially by\nreinforcing checks while speeding up border crossings for frequent,\npre-vetted non EU travellers.
\nIt should be noted that this proposal has been\npresented together with a proposal to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) for third\ncountry nationals and a proposal to amend the\nCommunity Code on the rules governing checks at external border\ncrossing points and surveillance at the external border (Schengen Borders Code) for\nthe purpose of the functioning of the two new systems.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: a first impact assessment was carried\nout in 2008 when preparing the Commission Communication on\nthis subject (please refer to the European Parliaments\nposition on this question 2008/2181(INI)).
\nA second was completed in 2013. It analysed key implementation\noptions. After the analysis of the options and their sub-options, a\nfee-based RTP for pre-vetted and pre-screened frequent\nthird-country travellers with the data (biometrics, alphanumeric\ndata and unique identifier number) stored in a Central Repository\nand the unique identifier (application number) stored in\na token was found to be the most feasible option to guarantee\nsmooth passenger flows at the external borders without decreasing\nthe level of security at the EU.
\nThis option would\nentail:
\nThe preferred option would therefore provide for a\nproportionate balance between security, facilitation and data\nprotection.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Articles 74 and 77(2)(b) and (d) of the\nTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
\nCONTENT: the proposal has three main\nobjectives:
\nSet-up and technical architecture of the\nRTP: the RTP shall be based on a\nsystem for the storage of data on registered travellers which\nrelies on tokens kept by the individual travellers on the one hand\nand on a Central Repository, a centrally located physical storage\nof the RTP data, on the other, together referred to as the\n\"token-Central Repository\".
\nThe token-Central Repository system\ncomprises the following: (i) a Central Repository and back-up\nCentral Repository; (ii) uniform interfaces in each Member State,\nbased on common technical specifications ; (iii) national\nnetwork entry points linked to the Central Repository; (iv) a\ncommunications infrastructure linking the Central Repository and\nthe network entry points; and (v) a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card, based on common technical standards,\ncontaining only a unique identifier.
\nLodging an application for inclusion in the\nRTP: the proposal stipulates the\nprocedures for acceptance to the RTP for those persons concerned.\nTechnically, third-country nationals should be able to lodge an\napplication for the RTP at the consulate of any Member State, at\nany common application centre, or at any external border crossing\npoint.
\nAn online application may also be made.\nWhere an applicant is applying for access to the\nRTP for the first time, he/she shall be required to appear in\nperson, in order to provide his/her fingerprints, for\ninterview and for the travel document to be checked.
\nWhere an applicant submits an on-line application, the\nbiometric data shall be collected, the travel document checked and\nan interview carried out, if applicable, when the decision on the\napplication is made and the token is issued.
\nTechnical provisions are laid down stipulating the\nconditions to be met by the applicant to obtain his/her\ntoken:
\nAn application which is admissible shall be decided on\nby the competent authorities within 25 calendar days from the date\nof submission.
\nDuration of granting of access to the RTP:\ninitial access to the RTP shall be granted for\none year. Access may be extended for two years upon request,\nfollowed by a further two years without a new application in the\ncase of travellers who have followed the rules and regulations laid\ndown for crossing the external border and for staying in the\nSchengen area. The period of access granted shall not exceed the\nvalidity of the travel document(s), visa, residence permit or\nresidence card, if applicable.
\nProvisions are laid down in regard to the extension,\nrefusal or revocation of access to the RTP.
\nOperation of the system for registered\ntravellers:
\nOnce an application for the RTP has been validated, a\nregistered traveller would be issued a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card containing only a unique identifier\n(i.e. application number), which is swiped on arrival and departure\nat the border using an automated gate. The gate would read the\ntoken and the travel document (and visa sticker number, if\napplicable) and the fingerprints of the travellers, which would be\ncompared to the ones stored in the Central Repository and other\ndatabases, including the Visa Information system (VIS) for visa\nholders. If all checks are successful, the traveller is able to\npass through the automated gate.
\nAdministrative management and organisation:\nprovisions are laid down for ensuring the\nadministrative management of the system. Each Member State shall be\nresponsible for organising the procedures related to submission and\nexamination of applications as well as issuing tokens.
\nData protection and use of data: the proposal includes a number of provisions on data\nprotection, as well as defining strictly those persons with\nexclusive access to the RTP having the right to enter, amend,\ndelete and consult data depending on the objectives pursued.\nNational authorities should be designated to this end.
\nThe proposal specifies the categories of data that\nwill be entered by the competent authorities in the combined system\nof the Central Repository and the tokens, the procedures to be\nfollowed when entering data, as well as the specific and strictly\nlimited cases of where these data may be used by the authorised\npersons.
\nProvision is also made for data security, control of\nthe use of data, as well as for sanctions in the event of their\ninappropriate use and for procedural guarantees for persons whose\ndata have been used (including appeal mechanisms, etc.).
\nRole of the Agency: the\nEuropean Agency for the operational management of large-scale\ninformation systems in the area of freedom, security and justice\nshall be entrusted with the tasks of development and operational\nmanagement of the EES. The Agency shall be responsible for the\ndevelopment of the Central Unit, the Back-Up Central Unit, the\nUniform Interfaces including the Network Entry Points and the\nCommunication Infrastructure. Technical provisions lay down the\ntasks, mission and responsibilities of the Agency in this context.\nProvisions are also included defining the Member States\nresponsibilities in regard to the EES infrastructure and its\nuse.
\nOperational management of the EES shall consist of all\nthe tasks necessary to keep the EES functioning 24 hours a day, 7\ndays a week.
\nEvaluation: two years\nafter the start of operations of the EES and every two years\nthereafter, the Agency shall submit to the European Parliament, the\nCouncil and the Commission a report on the technical functioning of\nEES, including the security thereof. For its part, , the Commission\nshall produce an overall evaluation of the EES two years after the\nEES is brought into operation and every four years\nthereafter.
\nTerritorial measures: given that the proposal constitutes a further\ndevelopment of the Schengen acquis, it will have direct\nconsequences for certain Member States and associated countries, in\naccordance with the relevant texts of the Treaties, Protocols and\nAgreements concluded with third countries:
\nBUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the Commission's proposal for\nthe next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) includes a proposal\nof EUR 4.6 billion for the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the\nperiod 2014-2020. In the proposal, EUR 1.1 billion is set aside\nas an indicative amount for the development of an EES and an\nRTP assuming development costs would start from\n2015.
\nThis financial support would cover not only the costs\nof central components for the entire MFF period (EU level, both\ndevelopment and operational cost) but also the development costs\nfor the national, Member States, components of these two systems,\nwithin the resources available.
\nDELEGATED ACTS: the power to adopt acts in accordance\nwith Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European\nUnion should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the\nadoption of technical amendments to the annexes.
\nPURPOSE: to establish a Registered Traveller Programme\n(RTP) for third country national who travel frequently in the\nEuropean Union.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament\nand of the Council.
\nROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament decides in\naccordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal\nfooting with the Council.
\nBACKGROUND: according to the Schengen Borders\nCode, EU citizens and other\npersons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law (e.g.\nfamily members of EU citizens) crossing the external border shall\nbe subject to a minimum check, both at entry and exit, consisting\nof the verification of the travel document in order to establish\nthe identity of the person. On the other hand, all third country\nnationals however must be subject, at entry, to a thorough\ncheck.
\nHowever, current rules for third-country nationals\ncould be described as \"one-size-fits-all\" as the same checks apply\nregardless of any differences in risk between different travellers\nor their frequency of travel. This is because current legislation\ndoes not allow for exceptions to the principle of thorough border\nchecks except for certain categories of third-country nationals,\nsuch as Heads of States, cross-border workers and border residents.\nOnly a very small minority of persons crossing the external border\nare able to benefit from the above-mentioned exceptions (equivalent\nto 0.2 % of total passenger flows).
\nTaking into account the foreseen increase in passenger\nflows at the external borders, an alternative border check\nprocedure should be offered for frequent third-country\ntravellers moving gradually away from a \"country-centric\"\napproach towards a \"person-centric\" approach.
\nThis is what is proposed in this proposed Regulation\nestablishing a totally automated Registered Traveller\nProgramme.
\nThe establishment of an Entry/Exit\nSystem (EES) with or without biometrics which\nwould record entries and exits of third-country nationals for short\nstays at the external borders would be the precondition for\nallowing full automation of the border checks for registered\ntravellers.
\nThe RTP together with the EES will improve management\nand control of travel flows at the border substantially by\nreinforcing checks while speeding up border crossings for frequent,\npre-vetted non EU travellers.
\nIt should be noted that this proposal has been\npresented together with a proposal to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) for third\ncountry nationals and a proposal to amend the\nCommunity Code on the rules governing checks at external border\ncrossing points and surveillance at the external border (Schengen Borders Code) for\nthe purpose of the functioning of the two new systems.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: a first impact assessment was carried\nout in 2008 when preparing the Commission Communication on\nthis subject (please refer to the European Parliaments\nposition on this question 2008/2181(INI)).
\nA second was completed in 2013. It analysed key implementation\noptions. After the analysis of the options and their sub-options, a\nfee-based RTP for pre-vetted and pre-screened frequent\nthird-country travellers with the data (biometrics, alphanumeric\ndata and unique identifier number) stored in a Central Repository\nand the unique identifier (application number) stored in\na token was found to be the most feasible option to guarantee\nsmooth passenger flows at the external borders without decreasing\nthe level of security at the EU.
\nThis option would\nentail:
\nThe preferred option would therefore provide for a\nproportionate balance between security, facilitation and data\nprotection.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Articles 74 and 77(2)(b) and (d) of the\nTreaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
\nCONTENT: the proposal has three main\nobjectives:
\nSet-up and technical architecture of the\nRTP: the RTP shall be based on a\nsystem for the storage of data on registered travellers which\nrelies on tokens kept by the individual travellers on the one hand\nand on a Central Repository, a centrally located physical storage\nof the RTP data, on the other, together referred to as the\n\"token-Central Repository\".
\nThe token-Central Repository system\ncomprises the following: (i) a Central Repository and back-up\nCentral Repository; (ii) uniform interfaces in each Member State,\nbased on common technical specifications ; (iii) national\nnetwork entry points linked to the Central Repository; (iv) a\ncommunications infrastructure linking the Central Repository and\nthe network entry points; and (v) a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card, based on common technical standards,\ncontaining only a unique identifier.
\nLodging an application for inclusion in the\nRTP: the proposal stipulates the\nprocedures for acceptance to the RTP for those persons concerned.\nTechnically, third-country nationals should be able to lodge an\napplication for the RTP at the consulate of any Member State, at\nany common application centre, or at any external border crossing\npoint.
\nAn online application may also be made.\nWhere an applicant is applying for access to the\nRTP for the first time, he/she shall be required to appear in\nperson, in order to provide his/her fingerprints, for\ninterview and for the travel document to be checked.
\nWhere an applicant submits an on-line application, the\nbiometric data shall be collected, the travel document checked and\nan interview carried out, if applicable, when the decision on the\napplication is made and the token is issued.
\nTechnical provisions are laid down stipulating the\nconditions to be met by the applicant to obtain his/her\ntoken:
\nAn application which is admissible shall be decided on\nby the competent authorities within 25 calendar days from the date\nof submission.
\nDuration of granting of access to the RTP:\ninitial access to the RTP shall be granted for\none year. Access may be extended for two years upon request,\nfollowed by a further two years without a new application in the\ncase of travellers who have followed the rules and regulations laid\ndown for crossing the external border and for staying in the\nSchengen area. The period of access granted shall not exceed the\nvalidity of the travel document(s), visa, residence permit or\nresidence card, if applicable.
\nProvisions are laid down in regard to the extension,\nrefusal or revocation of access to the RTP.
\nOperation of the system for registered\ntravellers:
\nOnce an application for the RTP has been validated, a\nregistered traveller would be issued a token in the form of a\nmachine-readable card containing only a unique identifier\n(i.e. application number), which is swiped on arrival and departure\nat the border using an automated gate. The gate would read the\ntoken and the travel document (and visa sticker number, if\napplicable) and the fingerprints of the travellers, which would be\ncompared to the ones stored in the Central Repository and other\ndatabases, including the Visa Information system (VIS) for visa\nholders. If all checks are successful, the traveller is able to\npass through the automated gate.
\nAdministrative management and organisation:\nprovisions are laid down for ensuring the\nadministrative management of the system. Each Member State shall be\nresponsible for organising the procedures related to submission and\nexamination of applications as well as issuing tokens.
\nData protection and use of data: the proposal includes a number of provisions on data\nprotection, as well as defining strictly those persons with\nexclusive access to the RTP having the right to enter, amend,\ndelete and consult data depending on the objectives pursued.\nNational authorities should be designated to this end.
\nThe proposal specifies the categories of data that\nwill be entered by the competent authorities in the combined system\nof the Central Repository and the tokens, the procedures to be\nfollowed when entering data, as well as the specific and strictly\nlimited cases of where these data may be used by the authorised\npersons.
\nProvision is also made for data security, control of\nthe use of data, as well as for sanctions in the event of their\ninappropriate use and for procedural guarantees for persons whose\ndata have been used (including appeal mechanisms, etc.).
\nRole of the Agency: the\nEuropean Agency for the operational management of large-scale\ninformation systems in the area of freedom, security and justice\nshall be entrusted with the tasks of development and operational\nmanagement of the EES. The Agency shall be responsible for the\ndevelopment of the Central Unit, the Back-Up Central Unit, the\nUniform Interfaces including the Network Entry Points and the\nCommunication Infrastructure. Technical provisions lay down the\ntasks, mission and responsibilities of the Agency in this context.\nProvisions are also included defining the Member States\nresponsibilities in regard to the EES infrastructure and its\nuse.
\nOperational management of the EES shall consist of all\nthe tasks necessary to keep the EES functioning 24 hours a day, 7\ndays a week.
\nEvaluation: two years\nafter the start of operations of the EES and every two years\nthereafter, the Agency shall submit to the European Parliament, the\nCouncil and the Commission a report on the technical functioning of\nEES, including the security thereof. For its part, , the Commission\nshall produce an overall evaluation of the EES two years after the\nEES is brought into operation and every four years\nthereafter.
\nTerritorial measures: given that the proposal constitutes a further\ndevelopment of the Schengen acquis, it will have direct\nconsequences for certain Member States and associated countries, in\naccordance with the relevant texts of the Treaties, Protocols and\nAgreements concluded with third countries:
\nBUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the Commission's proposal for\nthe next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) includes a proposal\nof EUR 4.6 billion for the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the\nperiod 2014-2020. In the proposal, EUR 1.1 billion is set aside\nas an indicative amount for the development of an EES and an\nRTP assuming development costs would start from\n2015.
\nThis financial support would cover not only the costs\nof central components for the entire MFF period (EU level, both\ndevelopment and operational cost) but also the development costs\nfor the national, Member States, components of these two systems,\nwithin the resources available.
\nDELEGATED ACTS: the power to adopt acts in accordance\nwith Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European\nUnion should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the\nadoption of technical amendments to the annexes.
\n