ETIAS Moves Forward as Fundamental Rights Guidance Board Starts Its Work

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) said on Monday that a new entity responsible for ensuring the system operates in compliance with basic rights has begun work on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

The agency revealed in a news statement that the new organisation, named the Basic Rights Guidance Board, will be in charge of conducting systematic reviews of the ETIAS in terms of privacy, data protection, and non-discrimination.

According to etiasvisatoeu.com, the same will subsequently offer recommendations to the ETIAS Screening Board based on these evaluations.

According to Frontex, the Fundamental Rights Office has brought together specialists from both within and outside the organisation, with the European Data Protection Board’s Sebastian Hümmeler serving as chairperson. Frontex’s Basic Rights Officer, Jonas Grimheden, has been elected as deputy chairperson.

“The Guidance Board is composed of representatives of the Frontex Fundamental Rights Officer, the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, the European Data Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights,” Frontex says in a press release, adding that the board’s composition is mandated by Article 10(2) of the ETIAS Regulation.

As the launch of the ETIAS, due for November 1, 2023, approaches, Frontex and other EU agencies are working harder to achieve the deadlines so that the ETIAS may go live on the scheduled day without any problems.

SchengenVisaInfo.com reported less than two weeks ago that the team working in the central unit of ETIAS has increased twice in recent months in order to complete all work on time, reaching a total of 56 new employees, primarily in the positions of applications handlers and support operators for travellers and carriers.

According to François Laruelle, Director of the ETIAS Division at Frontex, his staff is working hard on the introduction of ETIAS and will continue to do so in the coming months.

“Our operators will be working around the clock to make border crossings as easy as possible for travellers while keeping Europe secure,” Director Laruelle stated.

The ETIAS was supposed to go into effect in May 2023, however the EU surreptitiously delayed its implementation until November 1, 2023. Travelers from over 60 nations, including British nationals, Americans, and Canadians, will need to get an online travel permit before visiting Schengen Area countries beginning on that day. The application will cost €7 and will initially be valid for two years.