First proposed in 2016, the European Union’s planned Entry/Exit System (EES) for travellers from non-EU countries has faced multiple delays with the most recent date for its implementation being 10 November 2024 — or 17 November if there were any last minute delays.
However, the European Commission has now confirmed that neither date will see the launch of EES, and that it cannot at present say when the system will finally go live.
There has been considerable concern expressed in the UK about the possible impact that EES will have on freight and passenger transport at Dover and at other transport links such as Eurostar and Eurotunnel.
When the scheme is finally introduced, non-EU travellers will be required to present their passports, have their photographs taken and provide fingerprints electronically upon entry to the EU.
Transport bodies in the UK have warned that the system needs to be fully tested as it could otherwise lead to costly disruption and delays. Logistics UK has highlighted that “even if delays were limited to 90 minutes for the 3.35 million HGVs that passed through the Short Straits in 2023, the cost to the economy would be £400 million pa”.
News of another postponement has been welcomed, therefore, with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) saying that it gives more time to seek clarity and further information from the Government on EES processes, timelines and readiness.
The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has also said that it looking to the Government to provide more guidance on implementation of the EES.
EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson has suggested that the Commission might move towards introducing EES on a step-by-step basis, “not a ‘Big Bang’ of all border crossing points at the same time”.
However this would require new legislation as the present regulations do not allow for such an approach.
