Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/220 of 29 January 2026 laying down the procedures necessary for the uniform implementation of the information exchange, consultation and coordination of response within the Health Security Committee and amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/220 30.1.2026 COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION(EU) 2026/220 of 29 January 2026 laying down the procedures necessary for the uniform implementation of the information exchange, consultation and coordination of response within the Health Security Committee and amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253 (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 on serious cross-border threats to health and repealing Decision No 1082/2013/EU(1), and in particular Article 21(5) thereof, Whereas: (1) Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 builds on lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic including with regard to the need for close coordination of response to serious cross-border threats to health within the Health Security Committee (HSC). (2) The Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) should be the primary tool to be used for requesting consultation and coordination of response to a serious cross-border threat to health within the HSC and for the exchange of information related to that threat, in particular for the exchange of information at least to the security level of ‘Sensitive non-classified’(2). Such requests and exchange of information may also take place during an HSC meeting. In addition, a request for consultation and coordination may be addressed to the secretariat of the HSC. (3) In case of emergence or development of a serious cross-border threat to health fulfilling the criteria defined in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, the national competent authorities or the Commission are to notify an alert in the EWRS. The States Parties to the World Health Organization (WHO) have the obligation to notify the WHO within 24 hours of assessment of public health information of an event that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005)(3). Where the national competent authorities notify the WHO, they are to simultaneously notify an alert in the EWRS provided that the threat concerned falls within those referred to in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371. To allow for simultaneous notification, the national competent authorities can transfer a notification made in the EWRS to the WHO IHR focal point. (4) In accordance with Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, following an alert notification pursuant to Article 19 thereof, at the request of the Commission or of a Member State and on the basis of the available information, including the information referred to in Article 19 and the risk assessments referred to in Article 20, Member States are to consult each other and coordinate within the HSC and in liaison with the Commission, with regard to national responses, to risk and crisis communication aimed at providing consistent and coordinated information, to the adoption of opinions and guidance and to the support for the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response Arrangements in the event of its activation. In accordance with Article 2(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, in exceptional emergency situations, a Member State or the Commission may request the coordination of response within the HSC for serious cross-border threats to health other than those referred to in Article 2(1), if it is considered that public health measures taken previously have proven insufficient to ensure a high level of protection of human health. (1) OJ L 314, 6.12.2022, p. 26, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2371/oj. (2) Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/443 of 13 March 2015 on Security in the Commission (OJ L 72, 17.3.2015, p. 41, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2015/443/oj). (3) Article 6(1) of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/220/oj 1/4EN OJ L, 30.1.2026 (5) Member States and the Commission should assess the need for consultation and coordination of the response to a serious cross-border threat to health within the HSC before making a request for such consultation and coordination. After a request is introduced, the Commission should organise the consultation and coordination promptly. (6) In order for the Member States and the Commission to be able to assess the need for consultation and coordination of response within the HSC, the alert notification should specify the reasons for concluding that the emergence or development of a serious cross-border threat to health fulfils the criteria of Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371. (7) In accordance with Article 21(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, where a Member State intends to adopt or to terminate public health measures in response to a serious cross-border threat to health, it is to inform, consult and coordinate within the HSC. (8) Timely information exchange regarding the serious cross-border threat to health and public health measures is key for the coordination of response. Member States should establish effective communication channels between relevant competent authorities. Given the complex nature of health-related crises, cross-sectoral collaboration in accordance with the One Health approach is necessary for an effective and proportionate response. (9) The Commission should call for a consultation to be held within the HSC if a request for consultation and coordination of response to the serious cross-border threat to health has been made. This consultation should in principle take place no later than 48 hours of receiving the request. It should, however, be possible to adapt this timeframe depending on the urgency related to the request or the severity of the threat. (10) Before the adoption or termination of public health measures to respond to a serious cross-border threat to health, Member States should inform, consult and coordinate with the other Member States in the HSC as soon as possible and at least 14 days in advance of the nature, purpose and scope of those measures. In case of the immediate adoption or termination of public health measures, the Member States should inform the other Member States and the Commission promptly and no later than within 24 hours after adoption or termination of those measures. (11) Given that accurate information and timely communication with the public and stakeholders, such as healthcare and public health professionals, is essential for an effective response, this Regulation should provide for the procedure for sharing information on communication measures and developing consistent and coordinated risk and crisis communication messages within the HSC. (12) The Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) arrangements aim to ensure coherence and complementarity of Union and Member States in the Council in case of the invocation of the solidarity clause as referred to in Council Decision 2014/415/EU(4). The IPCR enable timely coordination and response at Union political level for crises which have a wide-ranging impact or political significance(5). In accordance with Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, at the request of the Commission or of a Member State, the Member States are to consult each other and coordinate within the HSC with regard to the support for the IPCR, including through information exchange, and sharing of its opinions and guidance. The secretariat of the HSC should liaise with the secretariat of the IPCR to ensure coherent and efficient action and to avoid duplication of efforts. (13) As this Regulation is intended to update part of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253(6), Article 2 and Articles 4 to 6 of that decision should be deleted. (14) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on serious cross- border threats to health, (4) Council Decision 2014/415/EU of 24 June 2014 on the arrangements for the implementation by the Union of the solidarity clause (OJ L 192, 1.7.2014, p. 53, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2014/415/oj). (5) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1993 of 11 December 2018 on the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response Arrangements (OJ L 320, 17.12.2018, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2018/1993/oj). (6) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253 of 13 February 2017 laying down procedures for the notification of alerts as part of the early warning and response system established in relation to serious cross-border threats to health and for the information exchange, consultation and coordination of responses to such threats pursuant to Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 37, 14.2.2017, p. 23, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2017/253/oj). 2/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/220/ojEN OJ L, 30.1.2026 HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Subject matter This Regulation lays down procedures necessary for the uniform implementation of the information exchange, consultation and coordination within the Health Security Committee (HSC) following an alert notification pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 or a request of the Commission or of a Member State in accordance with Article 2(4) of that Regulation. Article 2 Request for consultation and coordination 1. Following an alert notification in the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, the Member States and the Commission shall assess the need for consultation and coordination of response within the HSC without delay. 2. Where a Member State or the Commission recognises the need for consultation and coordination of response within the HSC, it shall, without delay, request such consultation and coordination in the EWRS, during an HSC meeting or to the secretariat of the HSC. 3. This request shall specify the topics of consultation and coordination that are relevant for the response to the serious cross-border threat to health. 4. Where the secretariat of the HSC receives a request for consultation and coordination, it shall inform the HSC of the request without delay. Article 3 Exchange of information 1. Where, following an alert notification, the Member States or the Commission communicate available relevant information or update the initial alert notification, they shall use the EWRS functionality to post a ‘comment’. 2. Following a request for consultation and coordination of response in accordance with Article 2(2) or in accordance with Article 2(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, the Member States or the Commission shall communicate without delay any available relevant information through the EWRS. This exchange of information may also take place during HSC meetings. 3. The Member States shall establish effective communication channels between their respective EWRS competent authorities and any other relevant competent authorities within their jurisdiction in line with the One Health approach as defined in Article 3(7) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371. Article 4 Consultation and coordination of response within the HSC 1. Where a request for consultation and coordination of response to the serious cross-border threat to health in accordance with Article 2(2) or in accordance with Article 2(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 has been made, the Commission shall call for a consultation for the purpose of coordination of response within the HSC. This consultation shall take place no later than 48 hours of receiving the request. This timeframe may be adapted depending on the urgency related to the request or the severity of the threat. 2. When intending to adopt or terminate public health measures in response to the serious cross-border threat to health, the Member States shall inform, consult and coordinate with the other Member States and the Commission as soon as possible and at least 14 days in advance of the nature, purpose and scope of those measures. 3. Where the need to protect public health is so urgent that the immediate adoption or termination of public health measures is necessary, the Member States shall inform the other Member States and the Commission promptly and no later than within 24 hours after adoption or termination of those measures. This information shall describe the nature, purpose and scope of those measures. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/220/oj 3/4EN OJ L, 30.1.2026 4. After the Commission calls for a consultation pursuant to Article 4(1), the HSC shall examine the information available relating to the particular threat including alert notifications, risk assessments, and other information communicated by Member States or the Commission, including about public health measures. 5. Member States shall take account of the outcome of the consultation and coordination within the HSC when intending to adopt public health measures in response to serious cross-border threats to health. Article 5 Risk and crisis communication 1. When the Member States provide information on the risk and crisis communication measures in accordance with Article 5(2), they shall specify the audience, content, and channels. 2. When, following a request for consultation and coordination of response in accordance with Article 2(2) or in accordance with Article 2(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, there is a need for coordinated risk and crisis communication at EU level, the Commission shall support the drafting of communication messages. Article 6 Support for the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response Arrangements Where the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) Arrangements(7)are activated and where a Member State or the Commission makes a request for consultation and coordination of response to the serious cross-border threat to health in accordance with Article 2(2) or in accordance with Article 2(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, the secretariat of the HSC shall liaise and coordinate with the secretariat of the IPCR to ensure timely exchange of information, including information on response measures and on HSC opinions and guidance in relation to serious cross-border threats to health, and to contribute to coherent and efficient action. Article 7 Amendment of Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253 Article 2 and Articles 4 to 6 of Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253 are deleted. Article 8 Entry into force This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 29 January 2026. For the Commission The President Ursula VON DER LEYEN (7) Decision 2014/415/EU. 4/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/220/oj