Brussels, 14/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Now that the updating of the directive on professional qualifications has been confirmed, Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, expects efforts to be redoubled on the European professional card, a balanced alert mechanism and the remaining professional restrictions. The commissioner announced this to interested parties at a conference organised by the Commission on Wednesday 12 February, on the recognition of professional qualifications.
In a desire to make the recognition of qualifications easier, more effective and less expensive, Barnier argued for the European professional card to be issued very soon. This will help to build confidence between the member state of origin and the host member state. “This confidence between states is also an absolute prerequisite for an effective system for the recognition of qualifications”, he said.
The commissioner stressed the need for a more systematic alert mechanism in order to prevent side slipping, particularly as regards private data, and to provide better protection for consumers and patients. However, balance and proportionality must be the watchwords, so that the member states are not deluged with warnings.
Lastly, as regards professional qualifications and the remaining restrictions, Barnier plans to pursue an “agenda of deregulation”. Without intending to interfere in member states' choices in terms of education, he pointed out that he is seeking to catalogue the regulated professions (communication of October 2013). It is on this basis that legislative measures may subsequently be taken at European level for certain sectors. (MD/transl.fl)