Source: European Parliament
The Fitness Check of the EU Regulation on Trade in Seal Products[1] and the EU Seal Pups Directive[2] has been launched to assess whether these instruments remain fit for purpose as to their effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, relevance, and EU added value. Such evaluations are common practice in the lifespan of any piece of EU legislation.
A report of the Fitness Check performed by external contractors on behalf of the Commission, which is expected in January 2025, will integrate the results of the public consultation and the call for evidence, a factual summary of which is already available on the Have Your Say portal[3], and of targeted consultations with key stakeholders, as well as own literature review/research to fill possible knowledge gaps.
The report will serve as input to a Commission Staff Working Document to be published in the first quarter of 2025.
On the basis of the Fitness Check findings, the Commission will consider whether further measures are needed.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2015/1775 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 2015 amending Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009 on trade in seal products and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 737/2010, OJ L 262, 7.10.2015, p. 1-6.
- [2] Council Directive 89/370/EEC of 8 June 1989 amending Directive 83/129/EEC concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom, OJ L 163, 14.6.1989, p. 37-37.
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14031-Trade-in-seal-products-fitness-check-of-EU-rules/public-consultation_en