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Parliamentary question - E-001326/2016Parliamentary question
E-001326/2016

Automatic recognition of architecture qualifications in the Member States

Question for written answer E-001326-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Edward Czesak (ECR)

The profession of architect is a sectoral profession. In accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC, this means that in the procedure for recognising qualifications the competent authority of the host Member State cannot in principle check the training of the person concerned and cannot require that person to provide a document setting out the programme of training they received. The aim of the procedure for recognising qualifications is to enable EU citizens to work in a regulated profession in any Member State.

However, this instrument has begun to be used, and abused, by students to circumvent national regulations. In an increasing number of cases they go to do their master’s in a Member State where architect is not a regulated profession, and after earning the qualification they return to their home country and submit an application to have that qualification recognised. In this way they shorten the period of education and vocational training by between one and four years. Any work performed by an architect who has followed this path may put at risk the interests of consumers, the environment and even public safety.

1. Does the Commission intend to introduce legal instruments to allow Member States to apply additional criteria in the procedure for recognising qualifications?

2. Does the Commission keep statistics showing the proportion of applications for recognition of architecture qualifications which come from host country nationals?