#Coronavirus - Commission publishes guidance on export authorizations for personal protective equipment

On 19 March, the Commission approved guidance (accompanied by an annex) in relation to the export authorization requirement for exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) outside of the European Union, in place since 15 March. Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, the Commission has also reviewed various aspects of this temporary measure to ensure that it reflects the integrated nature of the production value chains and distribution networks.

For that reason, the Commission has now exempted certain countries and territories, in particular the European Free Trade Association countries: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, as well as Andorra, the Faroe Islands, San Marino and the Vatican, and the associated countries and territories that have special relations with Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This change will be effective as of 21 March 2020. The guidelines also clarify the possibility too maintain emergency operations of humanitarian organisations in third countries.

As regards other countries, member states may continue to grant export authorizations where there is no threat to the availability of PPE on the market of the member state in question or elsewhere in the Union. The objective of this temporary measure is to protect the availability of supplies of protective equipment in the EU. The EU measure should now replace any similar national export authorization measures or export ban that had been put in place.

As this is an evolving situation, the Commission will continue to follow it very closely. For more information, see the dedicated news page, the guidance, the exemption and the press release of 15 March available online.

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