It was scheduled to launch on November 10th, but Germany, France, and the Netherlands declared their systems weren’t ready, so it was postponed once more.
There hasn’t been any live testing of the EU’s software on the UK’s border systems, insiders have informed the news.
Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, stated that although there was no new schedule for its implementation, it will happen gradually.
“It’s clear that we’re not going to be ready for the 10 November,” stated Johansson. She continued: “We will be going for a phased approach, step by step.”
This recent delay represents the latest in a string of mishaps for the system, which was initially scheduled for launch in 2022.
Non-EU citizens, including those from the UK, will no longer need to have their passports stamped at EU borders in order to enter; instead, they will need to submit biometric data through the Entry Exit System (EES).
The goal is to create a digital record that connects passports and biometric information. Handheld gadgets will be provided to passengers so they can register their information in their vehicles.
Road borders, airports, ports, rail stations, including those serving Eurostar services, and all other external EU borders will be covered by the EES.
Next week, the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council will convene to deliberate on the implementation of the EES.
