Modernising the professional qualifications directive

A public consultation, based on a Green Paper outlining options on how best to update the Professional Qualifications Directive has been released by the European Commission to test the waters at a critical time when the facilitation of cross-border movement of professionals might not be that welcome due to rising unemployment.

The Commission paper presents new ideas on the facilitation of professional mobility, setting out options on how best to modernise and ease mutual recognition of qualifications by the different member-states’ public authorities. The main suggested development is the creation of a European Professional Card that would allow for faster cooperation between the issuing and the receiving member-state authorities, thus serving to replace the required administrative documents.

A modernised directive would enable the availability of a central online access point with the complete relevant information required for the recognition of professional qualifications as well as the possibility of completing all the required procedures online.

The updating of the Professional Qualifications Directive is desirable from a business perspective on several counts. Facilitating the business establishment of professional prac­ti-tioners from other EU member-states helps instil more competition in the provision of professional services in Malta. The EU recognition system has to ensure that the necessary quality-assurance and professional standards with respect to the qualifications obtained, mandating the practice of the concerned profession are legally and aptly upheld, irrespective of the member-state where the professional practice is exercised.

Facilitating mobility for professionals is also in line with the spirit and letter of the Services Directive. The principle of mutual recognition should therefore apply to all business and professional categories as long as the necessary administrative safeguards on automatic recognition are in place.

Maltese business is at this stage satisfied with the Commission’s Green Paper proposal that in the areas of craft, trade and industry, automatic recognition is contingent on two conditions, namely that the non-Maltese applicant demonstrates a certain number of years of experience and that the professional permit applied for is clearly identifiable, thereby avoiding misuse of the system.

For more information on EU affairs related to business one may contact the MBB on 2125 1719 or email info@mbb.org.mt. One can also visit www.mbb.org.mt