Export control authorization requirement for COVID-19 vaccines

On 29 January 2021, the COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/111 of 29 January 2021 making the exportation of certain products subject to the production of an export authorization was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ L 031I Of 30/01/2021).

This act follows the announcement from certain vaccine manufacturers that they would not be in a position to supply the quantities of vaccine destined to the Union that they had pledged, in potential breach of their contractual commitments.

Thus, in order to remedy a critical shortage of COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure transparency, pursuant to art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2015/479 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for exports, the Commission implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/111 submits the export of vaccines against SARS-related coronaviruses to a prior authorization of the competent authorities of the Member States.

Its article 1 also establishes some exceptions, particularly for the COVAX facilities and the low and middle-lower income countries due to their vulnerability and limited access to vaccines.

These measures should remain in force until 31 March 2021.