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
Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Amendment of Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253
Article 2 and Articles 4 to 6 of Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/253 are deleted.
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 .
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.