Concerns are growing over the launch of the EU’s biometric border Entry/Exit System. Ian Taylor reports
Leading EU member states are urging the European Commission to postpone the planned November 10 launch of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) to avoid “chaos” at the borders.
The governments of Germany, France and the Netherlands have told Brussels the biometric border system is not fully tested and “will be unable to cope”, according to the Financial Times. It reported Germany’s interior ministry saying the system “lacks the necessary stability and functionality”.
The three member states say they “cannot implement the nationally required tests” and have called for a phased introduction or soft launch.
The EC acknowledged “delays cannot be completely excluded” but insisted it’s working to the November 10 launch date announced in August.
The EES system applies to the Schengen Area, which means all EU states bar Ireland and Cyprus, and will register non-EU travellers at the border by collecting their passport data, facial image and four fingerprints at their first time of entry.
The system has been in development for seven years and technology provider EU-Lisa has declared it ready, although its introduction has been repeatedly delayed.
European travel association Etoa noted there is scope in the EU plans to alleviate border congestion, reporting: “For up to six months (maybe more) from EES entering operation, countries can decide to waive the collection of biometric data during peak travel times.”
But Olivier Jankovec, secretary general of European airports association, warned: “Launching the system without having fully tested it is a huge risk.”
Airlines for Europe managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou, agreed: “There is a significant risk of disruption [and] chaos at border points across Europe if EES is implemented without addressing the concerns.”
Stephan Ryan, minister counsellor for the EU delegation to the UK, told a Tourism Alliance conference in September last year: “The EES should ultimately reduce queue times. Once you’re in the Schengen Area you can travel freely within it.”
But he acknowledged: “It will take more time to enter the first time. We’re acutely aware there are challenges at the entry points operated by French authorities on UK soil – at St Pancras, the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal.”
Ryan suggested: “There will be pre-registration kiosks in advance of the border and the EU will develop a mobile app to allow the upload of data in advance.” However, the app has still to appear.
He also promised a communications campaign “to raise awareness, beginning three months before the system enters operation”. That has also yet to appear although the EC promised communication materials in September.
Specialist Travel Association Aito expressed concern about the impact of the EES last month in a meeting with a Foreign Office (FCDO) official, who noted confirmation of the November 10 start date remains subject to declarations of readiness from EU member states.