The International Air Transport Association is urging countries to make the European Union’s Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) their global standard for digital vaccine certificates.
Conrad Clifford, Iata’s deputy director general, said: “The DCC was delivered in record time to help facilitate the reopening of EU states to travel.
“In the absence of a single global standard for digital vaccine certificates, it should serve as a blueprint for other nations looking to implement digital vaccination certificates to help facilitate travel and its associated economic benefits.”
Iata said the EU DCC meets several key criteria for an effective digital vaccination certificate.
It is flexible enough to be used in paper and digital formats, and it contains a digital signature to make sure the certificate is authentic.
The gateway for encrypted data can be also used to distribute encrypted data of non-EU certificate issuers.
The EU DCC is implemented in the EU’s 27 member states and several reciprocal agreements have been agreed with other states’ own vaccination certificates, including Switzerland, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Iata said: “In the absence of a single global standard for digital vaccination certificates, up to 60 other countries are looking to use the DCC specification for their own certification. The DCC is an excellent model as it is consistent with the latest World Health Organisation Guidance and is fully supported by Iata Travel Pass.
“Another benefit of the DCC is that it enables holders to access non-aviation sites in Europe that require proof of vaccination, such as museums, sporting events and concerts.
“Iata wishes to offer its collaboration to EU Commission and any other interested state to further integrate the DCC into airline processes for a secure and seamless passenger experience, such as support for selective disclosure of personal data.”
Last week, Iata said the UK’s NHS Covid Pass and the EU DCC can now be uploaded into its Travel Pass as verified proof of vaccination for travel.
Pictured: French EU Digital Covid Certificate by rarrarorro/Shutterstock.