Recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation

To enhance labour mobility, the European Commission proposed in 2016 to establish a common system of qualifications for workers on EU inland waterways, based on their competence. While the previous EU legislation applied only to boatmasters, the proposal introduced harmonised rules for all deck crew members and extended the scope of legislation to the previously excluded River Rhine. After interinstitutional negotiations concluded on 27 June 2017, the European Parliament adopted the agreed text on 14 November 2017 and the Council approved the EP position on 4 December 2017. The final act was published in the Official Journal on 27 December 2017. Member States have until 17 January 2022 to transpose the provisions into their national law. Fifth edition. The EU Legislation in Progress Briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. To view earlier editions of this briefing, please see: PE 608.799, November 2017.