Coronavirus: EU Health Security Committee agrees on a common list of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests

Today, the EU Health Security Committee agreed on a common list of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, a selection of rapid antigen tests for which Member States will mutually recognise their results, and a common standardised set of data to be included in COVID-19 test result certificates. These three deliverables, agreed by Member States and as called for by the Council Recommendation of 21 January on a common framework for the use of rapid antigen tests, will be continuously reviewed and updated. Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, said: “Rapid antigen tests are crucial to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and should be part of our overall response to the pandemic. If negative COVID-19 tests are to be required or recommended for any activity, it is essential that they are mutually recognised, and result in certificates recognised across the EU. This is essential, particularly in the context of travel. Our citizens need clarity and predictability.” The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is currently in the process of updating its COVID-19 in vitro diagnostic medical devices database, with the aim of integrating all the information on rapid antigen tests that was collected and agreed on by the Health Security Committee. The document agreed by the Health Security Committee is available here.