EC) carries dangers

Council of European Dentists (CED) – Patients and consumers at risk: Modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC) carries dangers

The representative umbrella organisations of European sectoral professions issued a joint statement, expressing serious concern about the risks posed by the modernisation of the Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (2005/36/EC).

The European Commission is currently conducting an evaluation of the Directive that is widely expected to modernise the mechanisms in the current system. Today marks the end of the public consultation period.

The Directive establishes the rules for mutual recognition of qualifications of professionals in the Single Market. For seven, so-called sectoral professions (doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, architects and midwives) recognition of qualifications is automatic, provided they satisfy minimum conditions of training harmonized through the Directive. This approach has been in place for more than 25 years and has proved to be highly effective for both professionals and the interests of patients, clients and consumers.

The representatives of the professions are concerned that the modernisation of the Directive will be unduly influenced by the current economic crisis, thus aimed at quick and large-scale production of graduates who will be prematurely dumped on the market. Consequently, the European sectoral professions demand that the European Commission ensures the continued respect of principles of high quality of professional education and training in the Directive 2005/36/EC and to continue to restrict mutual automatic recognition of qualifications to persons who have completed a full course of study satisfying minimum conditions of training stipulated by the Directive.
Press Release (PDF), please click here
Joint Statement (PDF), please click here

Signatories represent the following organisations: