Decision on serious cross-border threats to health enters into force
On 22 October 2013, the EU adopted a Decision to improve preparedness across the EU and strengthen the capacity to coordinate response to health emergencies. This Decision entered into force on 6 November 2013. Read the Statement by Commissioner Borg and the FAQ.
A report on the implementation of the Decision was adopted on 7 December 2015.
This legislation is an important step forward in improving health security in the European Union and protecting citizens from a wide range of health threats. It will help Member States prepare for and protect citizens against possible future pandemics and serious cross-border threats caused by communicable diseases, chemical, biological or environmental events.
The Decision provides four major benefits:
- to strengthen preparedness planning
The Decision strengthens preparedness planning capacity at EU level by re-enforcing co-ordination as well as sharing best practices and information on national preparedness planning. The aim is to ensure that all Member States are adequately prepared to face any crisis; and to reduce as far as possible the impact of any such event on health, society and the economy. - to improve risk assessment and management of cross-border health threats
The Decision also provides risk assessment for threats that are not communicable diseases and of which no EU Agency is in charge. - to establish the necessary arrangements for the development and implementation of a joint procurement of medical countermeasures
For the first time, the EU itself can trigger its pharmaceutical legislation to accelerate the provision of vaccines and medicines in the event of any health emergency, including pandemics. - to enhance the coordination of response at EU level by providing a solid legal mandate to the Health Security Committee
The Decision gives the Health Security Committee a solid legal footing in co-ordinating preparedness. In case of crisis, the HSC is now able to decide quickly on the coordination of national responses, communication messages to the public and to the healthcare professionals.
Video - Crisis Management for health threats in the EU
The video is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish
Monitoring, early warning, and responsive measures to combat serious cross-border threats to health are essential elements to ensuring a high level of health protection in the European Union. EU action in this area is primarily intended to support and complement actions taken by individual EU countries.
Communicable diseases, biological or chemical agents, and environmental factors all have the potential to result in serious cross-border threats. Antimicrobial resistance is also a growing public health problem that requires an adequate level of preparedness and response.
Although rates of infectious diseases in the EU have fallen or remained stable in recent years, the pandemic influenza (H1N1) in 2009, the 2011 E. Coli outbreak in Germany, the Ebola virus in 2014, or Zika in 2016 all show that new infections can emerge at any time.
EU Cross-border Action
An early EU-wide response is therefore important in addressing serious cross-border health threats as soon as they emerge. A key milestone in building a stronger EU health security framework was the adoption of a Decision in 2013 to improve preparedness and strengthen capacity for a coordinated response to health emergencies.
This legislation was an important step forward in improving health security in the EU and in protecting citizens from a wide range of health threats. It supports EU countries to prepare for and protect citizens against possible future pandemics and serious cross-border threats by:
- Strengthening preparedness planning capacity at EU level by reinforcing co-ordination and best practice and information sharing on national preparedness planning
- Improving risk assessment and management of cross-border health threats including for non-communicable diseases for which no EU Agency is in charge
- Establishing the necessary arrangements for the development and implementation of a joint procurement of medical countermeasures
- Enhancing the coordination of an EU-wide response by providing a solid legal mandate to the Health Security Committee to co-ordinate preparedness
- Strengthening the coordination of risk and crisis communication, and fostering international cooperation
Video - Crisis Management for health threats in the EU
The video is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish
Related Information
Details
- Publication date
- 6 November 2013
- Author
- Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety