The Council of the European Union is set to extend by two months the deadline to object to a Commission delegated regulation that establishes QR codes and technical specifications for the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The extension, to be adopted through a written procedure, was requested by member states because the original deadline overlaps with the summer holiday period, limiting the time available for assessment.
The Commission notified the delegated regulation to the Council on 1 July 2026 under Directive (EU) 2024/2841. The standard two-month objection period would expire on 2 September 2026, but Article 14(6) of the directive allows for a two-month prolongation. The Permanent Representatives Committee has invited the Council to approve the extension and to use the written procedure under Article 12(1) of the Council's Rules of Procedure, citing urgency and the absence of a Council meeting in August 2026. The Commission and the European Parliament must be informed of the decision.
The delegated regulation sets the QR code for the physical version of the European Disability Card and the QR code and common technical specifications for the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities, aiming to ensure security and interoperability across member states. The extension gives national authorities additional time to scrutinise the technical details before the Council decides whether to object.
National administrations gain two extra months to assess the regulation, reducing pressure during the holiday period. Persons with disabilities will see a delay in the finalisation of the technical standards for the cards, but the extension does not alter the substance of the rules. Card issuers and technology providers face continued uncertainty until the objection period closes. The Commission and European Parliament are informed of the procedural step but have no direct role in the extension decision.