News Category: Regulatory news
The European Commission has introduced an Implementing Regulation setting out emergency export controls on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The categories of PPE items subject to control are listed in Annex I of the Regulation and include masks, gloves, gowns and eyewear. While this Regulation does not restrict the free circulation of PPE within the single market, prior authorisation will be required in order to export items on the list to countries outside the EU. A number of countries are exempt from this Regulation including the UK for the duration of the Brexit Transition Period, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra, the Faroe Islands, San Marino, the Vatican City and the countries and territories listed in Annex II of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
This measure is intended to assist EU health authorities in responding to the Covid-19 outbreak by protecting the supplies of PPE within the EU. These controls came into force on 16 March 2020 and will apply for a period of six weeks.
Businesses wishing to export items on the list outside the EU must apply to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation for authorisation. Details on the application process can be found on the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation’s website.
Further information regarding the practical application of the Regulation can be found in the Commission’s guidelines to assist businesses in the practical implementation of the Regulation.