Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards the introduction of specific measures for addressing the COVID-19 crisis
Date: 2020-05-28
Institutions: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Subjects: aid to disadvantaged groups, allocation of resources, distribution of EU funding, epidemic, fund (EU), infectious disease, operational programme, poverty, public health, socially disadvantaged class

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 28.5.2020  COM(2020) 223 final 2020/0105 (COD)  Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards the introduction of specific measures for addressing the COVID-19 crisis    
 
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

The direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to increase in all Member 
States.  The  current  situation  is  unprecedented  and  requires  exceptional  measures  adapted  to 
the  situation  to  be  applied  in  these  circumstances,  including  for  the  support  to  the  most 
deprived provided by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). In particular, 
the  crisis  presents  not  only  specific  risks  to  the  most  deprived,  but  also  furthers  economic 
hardship.  It  is expected that  the most vulnerable  in  society will be hit hardest  by the socio-
economic consequences of the crisis. Moreover, due to the social and economic consequences 
of the COVID-19 pandemic the number of the most deprived is increasing. 
The first “Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative” (CRII)1, a package of measures which 
entered  into  force  on  1  April  2020,  introduced  a  number  of  important  changes  to  the 
legislative framework applicable to the European Structural and Investment Funds that allow 
for a more effective response in the current situation. Complementary measures were adopted 
under the “Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus” (CRII Plus)2. This package also 
included  amendments  to  Regulation  (EU)  No  223/20143  (FEAD  Regulation),  through 
Regulation (EU) 2020/559 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 20204, 
which  entered  into  force  on  25  April  2020,  introducing  specific  measures  of  additional 
flexibility  and  liquidity  for  Member  States  to  address  the  COVID-19  pandemic  under  the 
FEAD. 

The situation is slowly evolving and many regions and Member States prepare for a cautious 
easing  of  restrictions  on  their  societies  and  enterprises,  and  restarting  their  economies. 
Nevertheless, the direct and indirect effects of the crisis have already taken their toll in many 
sectors. The process of recovery will take time and the need for further lockdown measures 
cannot be excluded. In this context, there is a serious risk that the number of people suffering 
from  food  and  material  deprivation  will  increase  and  therefore  further  action  is  required  in 
order to respond to the social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a socially 
fair recovery in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights. 

While the Commission proposed extraordinary  measures that  granted the  greatest flexibility 
and support possible to public authorities, partner organisations and other actors involved in 
the implementation  of the FEAD, Member States are facing liquidity problems to  provide a 
response to the COVID-19 crisis and the growing needs on the ground.  

Therefore, in order to help Member States to provide an effective response to the COVID-19 
pandemic,  including  its  social  and  economic  consequences,  it  is  appropriate  to  adopt 
additional measures,  including increasing the  resources  available for the  European Regional 

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Regulation (EU) 2020/460 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 March 2020  amending 
Regulations  (EU)  No  1301/2013,  (EU)  No  1303/2013  and  (EU)  No  508/2014  as  regards  specific 
measures  to  mobilise investments in the healthcare  systems of  Member States and in other sectors of 
their economies in response to the  COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative) 
(OJ L 99, 31.03.2020, p. 5) 
Regulation (EU) 2020/558 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2020 amending 
Regulations  (EU)  No  1301/2013  and  (EU)  No  1303/2013  as  regards  specific  measures  to  provide 
exceptional flexibility for the use of the European Structural and Investments Funds in response to the 
COVID-19 outbreak (OJ L 130, 24.04.2020, p. 1). 
Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on the 
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (OJ L 72, 12.3.2014, p. 1-41) 
OJ L 130, 24.04.2020, p. 7. 

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Development  Fund  (ERDF),  the  European  Social  Fund  (ESF)  and  also  the  FEAD.  In  this 
context, the Commission proposes a new amendment to the Common Provisions Regulation 
(CPR) (REACT-EU) 5 and to the FEAD Regulation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
in order to provide that additional resources are made available for the years 2020, 2021 and 
2022 for these funds.  

The additional resources for 2020 stem from an increase of the global resources for economic, 
social  and  territorial  cohesion  in  the  multiannual  financial  framework  for  2014-2020.  The 
additional resources for 2021 and 2022 constitute external  assigned revenue stemming from 
the [European Recovery Instrument].  

These  amounts  will  be  distributed  among  Member  States  taking  into  account  their  relative 
prosperity and the extent of the effects of the current crisis on their economies and societies. 
0.35 % of the additional resources need to be allocated to technical assistance at the initiative 
of  the  Commission.  By  way  of  derogation  from  the  rules  applicable  to  external  assigned 
revenues  set  out  in  the  Financial  Regulation,  these  additional  resources  shall  follow  the 
applicable  rules  set  out  in  the  CPR  and  the  FEAD  Regulation  once  they  are  assigned  to 
operational programmes, including rules on commitments and decommitments. 

Member  States  may  use  these  amounts  under  the  investment  for  growth  and  jobs  goal  to 
support  operations  fostering  crisis  repair  in  the  context  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  in  the 
regions  whose  economy  and  jobs  have  been  most  hardly  hit  and  preparing  the  recovery  of 
their  economies  from  the  ERDF  or  the  ESF  or  to  increase  the  allocation  for  programmes 
supported by the FEAD. 

The allocation of additional resources to the FEAD is voluntary for Member States, according 
to  their  specific  needs.  In  considering  this,  Member  States  should  pay  due  attention  to  the 
increases in the number of the most deprived since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In  addition,  in  line  with  the  amendments  proposed  for  the  Common  Provisions  Regulation 
(REACT-EU)6, the Commission proposes to introduce additional measures which provide for 
more  liquidity  to  Member  States,  notably  by  allowing  that  Member  States  receive  a 
substantial  pre-financing payment in case the resources under the FEAD are increased and by 
exempting Member States from providing a national contribution to the increased resources. 
Moreover and similarly to what is proposed for the Common Provisions Regulation (REACT-
EU),  given  the  need  to  make  sure  that  these  additional  resources  are  deployed  rapidly  to 
investments on the ground and take effect in the real economy, it is not proposed to extend the 
final date of eligibility, which shall remain – also for the additional resources – 31 December 
2023 (for expenditure incurred at the level of beneficiaries). Nevertheless, it is clarified that 
the commitments linked to the additional resources shall be decommitted in accordance with 
the  rules  to  be  followed  for  the  closure  of  the  programmes  (i.e.  in  2025  following  the 
submission  of the necessary documents pursuant  to  Article 52).  It  is  also envisaged that the 
electronic  exchange  system  used  for  official  exchanges  between  the  Commission  and  the 
Member  States  in  accordance  with  Article  30(4)  is  adjusted  to  provide  the  possibility  to 
Member States to submit requests for operational programme amendments for the allocation 
of the additional resources for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 without any delay. 

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COM(2020)451 final. 
COM(2020)451 final. 

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The  COVID-19  pandemic  also  had  a  disproportionate  socio-economic  effect  on  women. 
Therefore,  Member  States  should  pay  due  account  that  operations  strictly  follow  the 
horizontal principle of gender equality as laid down in Article 5 (11) of the FEAD Regulation. 

Finally,  the  Commission  also  proposes  additional  provisions  providing  for  flexibility  for 
Member States to use technical assistance. 

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

This proposal is consistent with existing policy provisions in the policy area, in particular with 
provisions  proposed  by  the  Commission  for  the  Common  Provisions  Regulation  (REACT-
EU) in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, as part of the Commission´s proposal to provide 
exceptional  flexibility  for  the  use  of  the  ERDF  and  the  ESF  in  response  to  the  COVID-19 
outbreak. 

• 

Consistency with other Union policies 

The proposal is consistent with other proposals and initiatives adopted by the Commission, in 
particular with the proposals adopted by the Commission for the ERDF and ESF in response 
to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

The  proposal  is  based  on  Article  175(3)  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European 
Union.  It  provides  for  possibilities  for  Member  States  to  increase  the  resources  under  the 
FEAD, to receive an additional pre-financing payment and exempts the additional resources 
from national contributions. These exceptional changes are without prejudice to the rules that 
apply under regular circumstances. 

• 

Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)  

The  proposal  complies  with  the  subsidiarity  principle.  The  proposal  does  not  modify  the 
delivery mode of the FEAD, which remains under shared management. 

Shared  management  is  underpinned  by  the  subsidiarity  principle,  as  the  Commission 
delegates  strategic  programming  and  implementation  tasks  to  Member  States.  It  also  limits 
EU action to what is necessary to achieve its objectives as laid down in the Treaties. 

This proposal, together with the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 1303/20137, aims to 
allow for making available additional resources. It also aims to clarify the rules governing the 
use  of  those  resources  in  the  context  of  programmes  under  the  2014-2020  programming 
period.  

• 

Proportionality 

The  proposal  is  proportionate  and  does  not  include  provisions  which  are  not  necessary  to 
achieve the objectives of the Treaty. It is limited to the amendments considered necessary for 
establishing the rules to be followed in relation to the additional resources  and for addressing 
problems  faced  by  Member  States  during  the  COVID-19  crisis  in  the  context  of  the 
implementation of the FEAD. 

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COM (2020) 251 final. 

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• 

Choice of the instrument 

The choice of instrument is a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, in 
accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure as set out in Article 175(3) of the Treaty. 
The Commission has explored the scope for manoeuvre provided by the legal framework and 
considers it necessary to propose amendments to Regulation (EU) No 223/2014.  

3. 

• 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation 

Given the specific circumstances of this proposal, there was no ex-post evaluation/or fitness 
checks of the existing legislation. 

• 

Stakeholder consultations 

Given  the  specific  circumstances  of  this  proposal,  there  was  no  consultation  of  external 
stakeholders. 

• 

Collection and use of expertise 

Use of external expertise has not been necessary. 

• 

Impact assessment 

Not applicable. 

• 

Regulatory fitness and simplification 

There is not an initiative within the Regulatory Fitness Programme (REFIT) 

• 

Fundamental rights 

The proposal has no consequences for the protection of fundamental rights. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

The proposal will lead to additional commitments in the year 2020, financed from an increase 
of  the  ceiling  of  the  2014-2020  Multiannual  Financial  Framework.  It  will  also  lead  to 
additional  commitments  for  the  years  2021  and  2022,  financed  from  external  assigned 
revenues.  It  will  trigger  additional  payments  in  the  years  2020  to  2025.  The  budgetary 
implications are covered by the Legislative Financial Statement accompanying the REACT-
EU Regulation. 

5. 

• 

OTHER ELEMENTS 

Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements 

The implementation of the measures will be monitored and reported upon in the framework of 
the general reporting mechanisms established in Regulation (EU) No 223/2014. 

Explanatory documents (for directives) 

• 

N/A 

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2020/0105 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards the introduction of specific measures 
for addressing the COVID-19 crisis  

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 175(3) thereof,  

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee8,  
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions9,  

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

Regulation  (EU)  No  223/2014  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council10  lays 
down rules applicable to the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (‘FEAD’).  

On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed by 
the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  as  a  response  to  social 
challenges  in  Europe.  The  twenty  key  principles  of  the  pillar  are  structured  around 
three  categories:  equal  opportunities  and  access  to  the  labour  market;  fair  working 
conditions;  social  protection  and  inclusion.  The  twenty  principles  of  the  European 
Pillar  of  Social  Rights  should  guide  the  actions  in  response  to  the  COVID-19 
pandemic in order to ensure a socially fair recovery. 

(3)  Member  States  have  been  affected  by  the  consequences  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic 
crisis  in  an  unprecedented  manner.  The  crisis  has  led  to  severe  economic  and  social 
consequences. This has created an exceptional situation which needs to be addressed 
with specific measures in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights. 

(4) 

This  has  a  particular  impact  on  the  FEAD.  Considering  that  the  number  of  people 
suffering from food and material deprivation has been increasing due to the COVID-
19  pandemic  and  that  the  most  deprived  are  exposed  to  particular  risks  and  further 
hardships during this crisis, Member States are facing additional funding needs in the 
delivery of support by the Fund. 

(5) 

In order to redress huge shocks to the economy and serious impacts on the functioning 
of the Single Market due to exceptional restrictions put in place by Member States to 

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OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on the 
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (OJ L 72, 12.03.2014, p. 1). 

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contain  the  COVID-19  spreading,  the  European  Council  endorsed  on  23  April  2020 
the  “Roadmap  for  recovery”  with  a  strong  investment  component,  called  for  the 
establishment of the [European Recovery Instrument ] and mandated the Commission 
to  analyse  the  needs  so  that  the  resources  are  targeted  towards  the  sectors  and 
geographical  parts  of  Europe  most  affected,  while  clarifying  also  the  link  with  the 
MFF. 
The  Commission  issued  a  proposal  for  a  Regulation11  amending  Council  Regulation 
(EU, EURATOM) No 1311/201312 on 27 May 2020 and unlocked additional resources 
to  support  Member  States  in  crisis  repair  in  the  context  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic 
and  preparing  the  recovery  of  the  economy.  As  part  of  this  package,  an  additional 
exceptional  amount  of  EUR    58  272  800  000  for  budgetary  commitment  from  the 
Structural  Funds  under  the  Investment  for  growth  and  jobs  goal,  for  the  years  2020, 
2021  and  2022  is  made  available  for  this  purpose,  with  a  view  to  deploying  them 
quickly  for  the  real  economy  through  the  existing  structures  for  the  2014-2020 
cohesion  policy  programmes.  The  Commission  should  set  out  the  breakdown  of  the 
additional resources for each Member State on the basis of an allocation method based 
on  the  latest  available  objective  statistical  data  concerning  Member  States’  relative 
prosperity and the extent of the effect of the current crisis on their economies. In order 
to  reflect  the  evolving  nature  of  the  effects  of  the  crisis,  the  breakdown  should  be 
revised in 2021 on the basis of the same allocation method using the latest statistical 
data available by 19 October 2021. In order to provide for an effective response to the 
social  impact  of the COVID-19 outbreak on the  most deprived, it is  appropriate that 
the  additional  resources  may  be  allocated  by  Member  States  to  the  FEAD,  in 
accordance with their needs.  In doing so, Member States should pay due attention to 
the  increases  in  the  number  of  the  most  deprived  since  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  In 
addition, it is necessary to establish ceilings concerning the allocation of the increased 
resources to technical assistance of the Member State. Taking account of the expected 
quick spending of the additional resources, the commitments linked to these additional 
resources should also be decommitted at the closure of the programmes. Possibilities 
for  financial  transfers  under  the  Investment  for  Growth  and  Jobs  goal  between  the 
ERDF, the ESF and the FEAD are also introduced for the additional resources. 

Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the 
basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to 
this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine 
in  particular  the  procedure  for  establishing  and  implementing  the  budget  through 
grants,  procurement,  prizes,  indirect  implementation,  and  provide  for  checks  on  the 
responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also 
concern  the  protection  of  the  Union's  budget  in  case  of  generalised  deficiencies  as 
regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect  for the rule of law is an 
essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding. 

In  order  to  ensure  that  Member  States  have  sufficient  financial  means  to  swiftly 
implement crisis repair actions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare 
the recovery of the economy, it is necessary to provide a higher level of  pre-financing 
payment  for  the  quick  implementation  of  actions  supported  by  the  additional 
resources. The magnitude of the pre-financing should ensure that Member States have 

COM(2020) 446. 
Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework 
for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884). 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

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the  means  to  arrange  for  advance  payments  to  beneficiaries  where  necessary  and  to 
reimburse beneficiaries quickly following the submission of payment claims.  

(9)  With a view to alleviating the burden on public budgets regarding crisis repair in the 
context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the recovery of the economy, it is 
appropriate that the additional resources are not subject to co-financing. 

(10) 

In  order  to  ensure  that  Member  States  can  quickly  adjust  the  measures  under  the 
FEAD in response to COVID-19 crisis, it is appropriate to set out specific provisions 
clarifying the scope of technical assistance. 

(11)  Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to respond to the impact of the public 
health  crisis  on  the  most  deprived,  cannot  be  sufficiently  achieved  by  the  Member 
States  alone  and  can  therefore,  by  reason  of  the  scale  and  effects  of  the  proposed 
action,  be  better  achieved  at  Union  level,  the  Union  may  adopt  measures,  in 
accordance  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  as  set  out  in  Article  5  of  the  Treaty  on 
European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that 
Article,  this  Regulation  does  not  go  beyond  what  is  necessary  to  achieve  this 
objective. 

(12)  Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly. 

(13)  Given the urgency of the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is appropriate 
that this Regulation enters into force on the day following that of its publication in the 
Official Journal of the European Union. 

(14) 

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency to address the associated public 
health crisis, it is considered necessary to use the exception to the eight-week period 
referred  to  in  Article  4  of  Protocol  No  1  on  the  role  of  national  Parliaments  in  the 
European  Union,  annexed  to  the  Treaty  on  European  Union,  to  the  Treaty  on  the 
Functioning  of  the  European  Union  and  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European 
Atomic Energy Community, 

(15)  Article 135(2) of the Agreement  on the withdrawal  of the United Kingdom  of Great 
Britain  and  Northern  Ireland  from  the  European  Union  and  the  European  Atomic 
Energy Community  provides that amendments to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 
No 1311/201313 or to Council Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom  that are adopted on or 
after  the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  that  Agreement  shall  not  apply  to  the  United 
Kingdom  insofar  as  those  amendments  have  an  impact  on  the  United  Kingdom's 
financial obligations. The support under Article 6a of Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 is 
financed, for 2020, from an increased ceiling of the Multiannual Financial Framework 
and, for 2021 and 2022, from an increase of the own resources ceiling of the Union, 
which would have an impact on United Kingdom's financial obligation. Therefore, this 
Regulation should not apply to and in the United Kingdom, 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 is amended as follows: 

(1) 

Article 6(2) is replaced by the following: 

Article 1 

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Council  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  No  1311/2013  of  2  December  2013  laying  down  the  multiannual 
financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884). 

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“2. The allocation of the Fund for the period 2014–2020 for every Member State is set 
out  in  Annex  III  except  for  the  increased  resources  in  response  to  the  COVID-19 
pandemic  referred  to  in  Article  6a.  The  minimum  amount  for  each  Member  State  is 
EUR 3 500 000 for the whole period.” 

(2) 

The following new Article 6a is inserted: 

“Article 6a 
Voluntary increase of resources in response to the COVID-19 outbreak 

1.  The  resources  referred  to  in  Article  6  may  be  increased  by  Member  States  on  a 
voluntary  basis  in  response  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  in  accordance  with  the 
seventh subparagraph of point 5 of Article 92b of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The 
increase may affect the budgetary commitments for 2020, 2021 and 2022. 
2.  By  way  of  derogation  from  Article  7(1)  the  period  for  operational  programmes 
benefitting from additional resources in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be until 31 
December 2022.  
3.  By  way  of  derogation  from  the  first  sub-paragraph  of  Article  38,  the  budget 
commitments for the additional resources in respect of each programme shall be made 
in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.   
By  way  of  derogation  from  Article  59(1),  the  additional  commitments  shall  be 
decommitted  in  accordance  with  the  rules  to  be  followed  for  the  closure  of  the 
programmes. 
4. In addition to the pre-financing referred to in  Article 44(1), the Commission shall 
pay a pre-financing amount of 50% of the additional resources allocated for the year 
2020 following the Commission decision approving the amendment  to  a  programme 
for the allocation of the additional resources.  

The  amount  paid  as  pre-financing  as  referred  to  in  the  first  sub-paragraph  shall  be 
totally cleared  from  the  Commission  accounts not  later than when the programme is 
closed. 
5. By way of derogation to Article 20, the additional resources under paragraph 1 are 
not subject to co-financing.”  

(3) 

In Article 27, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: 

“4. At the initiative of the Member States, and subject to a ceiling of 5 % of the Fund 
allocation  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  operational  programme  and  5%  on  the 
additional  resources  referred  to  in  Article  6a(1),  the  operational  programme  may 
finance preparation, management, monitoring, administrative and technical assistance, 
audit,  information,  control  and  evaluation  measures  necessary  for  implementation  of 
the  Fund,  including  the  preparation  and  operating  costs  of  voucher  schemes  in  case 
these costs are borne by the managing authority or another public body, that is not a 
partner organisation. It may also finance technical assistance and capacity building of 
partner organisations and any other actors involved in the implementation of the Fund, 
including  for  fostering  crisis  response  capacity  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  The 
actions referred to in this paragraph may concern the subsequent programming period, 
including to ensure the continuation of the support by this Fund through other Funds.” 

(4) 

The following new Article 63a is inserted: 

“Article 63a 
Transitional provisions 

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Article 6a shall not apply to and in the United Kingdom. References to Member States 
in those provisions shall be understood as not including the United Kingdom.” 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  day  following  that  of  its  publication  in  the 
Official Journal of the European Union. 

Article 2  

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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