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A proposal for a directive amending the Professional Qualifications Directive was presented by the Commission on 19 December 2011 (18899/11). It proposes inter alia the creation of a European professional card, some changes in the directive (such as the insertion of the principle of partial access to certain professions, the clarification of some training requirements, etc.), as well as measures aiming at better exploiting existing instruments such as the Internal Market Information (IMI) system.
At the debate, ministers expressed views on two main aspects of the reform: the creation and practical implementation of the European professional card and the proposed transparency exercise which would subsequently lead to mutual evaluations and, possibly, a simplification of the national legal frameworks for the regulated professions. Many delegations pointed out the potential benefits that the instauration of a professional card could bring in the field of mobility of skilled workers, as far as it is conceived as a cost-effective mechanism and proves to have EU added value.
Delegations broadly acknowledged the need to look into ways for reducing the number of regulated professions in the Member States so as to enlarge access to these professions by removing unjustified regulatory barriers.
The European professional card would be an electronic certificate issued by the professional's country of departure that would facilitate the automatic recognition in the host country (the country where the professional seeks establishment). The application of professional cards would be done through the national competent authorities using the IMI system.
The introduction of professional cards would be considered for a particular profession where: