Recognition of professional qualifications: more efficient, simpler and faster procedures

On 9 July, Members of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee approved almost unanimously the political agreement on the revision of the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications in Europe.

"The challenge is to create a genuine European labour market and to increase the mobility of professionals in the European Union", said Constance Le Grip MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokeswoman on the dossier.

"The modernisation of this Directive, dating from 2005, is one of Commissioner Barnier's priorities and will concern more than 800 professions. Procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications needed to become simpler, faster and more efficient. It is now done".

"The most important project of the revised Directive is undoubtedly the creation of a European Professional Card. On a voluntary basis, interested professionals can now benefit from this e-card, which is a passport allowing them to work and to see their qualifications recognised in a different country from their country of origin. This is a practical tool which European citizens will benefit from."

"While the last European Council focused on youth unemployment, the modernised Directive could be a practical response to young generations of Europeans who are more interested in professional mobility and decide to try their luck in another European country."

"On behalf of the EPP Group, I have also included the setting of a European Trainee Status in this Directive and I welcome the fact that we were able to establish the foundation of this idea by introducing the recognition of professional training in Europe."

"More mobility in Europe, while ensuring greater security for our citizens, consumers, patients, users: these are the challenges."

The next and final stage will take place in Strasbourg in October when all the MEPs will vote on the Report during the plenary session.