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Parliamentary question - E-008118/2014(ASW)Parliamentary question
E-008118/2014(ASW)
European Parliament

    Answer given by Mr Avramopoulos on behalf of the Commission

    3.2.2015

    Written question

    1. The Commission has announced a revised ‘Smart Borders’ proposal[1] for the end of 2015/beginning of 2016 and a parallel withdrawal of the current proposals. In the framework of the discussions of the initial proposal the Commission initiated a two-step ‘proof of concept’ to enable the co-legislator to assess a number of technical options. The first step was a study[2] which has identified a limited number of potential options to be tested in the second step, which is a testing phase to be implemented by eu-LISA[3] during 2015. Several Member States have volunteered to participate in the pilot and some of the tests will take place at their borders. Any firm to be involved in these tests will be selected in accordance with the applicable rules.

    2. eu-LISA will be responsible for implementing the tests on the basis of the requirements laid down in the terms of reference prepared by the Commission.

    3. The study assessed the technical consequences of giving access for law enforcement authorities to the Entry Exit System (EES) and concluded that these would be significant. It would entail the need for access control mechanisms for the verification of identity and access rights of the officers and appropriate technical safeguards against misuse.

    The Commission current proposal for the EES does not provide for law enforcement access but sets out that the issue should be examined two years after the system comes into operation. Should such access be granted, clear rules for access to and processing data by law enforcement authorities and effective data protection safeguards would need to be agreed by the co-legislators.

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