In 2024, Frontex's ongoing
commitment to improving the compatibility and interoperability of border
management equipment reached an important milestone with the Study on
Conformity Assessment for Border Management Equipment. This study presents an
approach to assess equipment objectively against Frontex Technical Standards.
The European Border and Coast Guard Regulation
provides that the Agency shall ensure the compatibility and interoperability of
the equipment listed in the technical equipment pool (TEP). For that purpose,
the Agency shall define technical standards for the equipment to be deployed in
the activities of the Agency, where necessary. Equipment that is acquired by
the Agency, whether as sole owner or co-owner, and equipment owned by the Member
States (MSs), which is listed in the TEP, shall meet those standards.
A first iteration of technical standards was executed
in cooperation with the Member States and adopted by the Frontex Management
Board (MB) in September 2021 (MB 51/20215). Based on the practical knowledge
gained from preparing this first iteration, a methodology was developed and
adopted by the MB in June 2022 (MB 21/20226). This first iteration of the technical
standards highlighted the need to define an objective compliance assessment procedure
for TEP equipment in the context of these standards.
As a result, Frontex initiated in 2024 a Study on
Conformity Assessment for Border Management Equipment. This exploratory study aimed
to identify an appropriate approach for assessing equipment objectively against
Frontex Technical Standards, with a view to achieve greater interoperability
and compatibility.
As major findings, the Study maps the landscape of conformity assessment in the context of border management equipment, and proposes a methodology, protocol, and practical tool to assess 41 TEP equipment types against Frontex Technical Standards. This practical tool enables to follow a step-by-step and detailed approach to apply the proposed methodology via an impact assessment, selection of procedures, methods, techniques and tools, responsible stakeholder, location, preparations, duration, frequency and validity, as well as an assessment template to verify equipment conformity. The Study also identifies possible partners and modalities for cooperation to pilot equipment assessment in their facilities and/or with their expert support.
The Study is a foundation for assessing border management equipment to guarantee that such equipment can be used anywhere in the Schengen Area during Frontex Joint Operations, in line with the Frontex Capability Roadmap. The Study also feeds into preparations for the establishment of the Frontex Innovation and Technology (FIT) Centre, to be housed at Frontex’s soon-to-be-built, new headquarters, which will facilitate research and innovation activity including border management equipment testing.
The Study is also useful for EU Member States to assess their own equipment, particularly during procurement processes or for other purposes, in a more systematic manner. By sharing this work, the Agency intends to further promote harmonised border management practices across the Schengen Area.
The Study package is available for download.
Frontex would like to express its sincere gratitude for the cooperation of and contributions from all its stakeholders (e.g. MSs, SACs, European Defence Agency, notified bodies, inspection companies) to Frontex’s work in standards development and equipment assessment.
