BAKGRUNN (fra Kommisjonens pressemelding 14.10.2016, engelsk utgave)

Commission presents REFIT evaluation of the Visa Information System
As part of the Commission's better regulation agenda, ensuring that EU legislation remains fit for purpose, the Commission has today adopted an Evaluation Report on the implementation of the Visa Information System (VIS), analysing the use of fingerprints at the EU's external borders and the use of biometrics in the visa application procedure.

The Report is part of the Regulatory Fitness and Performance (REFIT) programme and is the first in a series of evaluations of the EU's information systems for borders and security. Today's Report looked at the VIS legal framework and examined whether the instrument is fit for purpose, delivers on its objectives at a reasonable cost and has a clear EU added value. The evaluation found that the VIS meets its objectives and functions well but would need to be further developed to respond to new challenges in visa, border and migration policy. VIS remains one of the most advanced systems of its kind, with close to 23 million visa applications and 18.8 million fingerprints registered by the end of March 2016.