Development of the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II)

PURPOSE: i) to extend the deadline for the completion of SIS II to 31 December 2008; ii) to grant funding to France and Austria for hosting the central and back-up unit of SIS II during the development phase; and iii) to confer responsibility for preparing the technical integration of the new Member States of SIS II to the Commission.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation (EC) No 1988/2006 amending Regulation (EC) No 2424/2001 on the development of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II).

BACKGROUND: the development of a second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) was approved in 2001 through Council Regulation (EC) No 2424/2001; the legal basis for funding SIS II being Council Decision 2001/886/JHA. Both the Regulation and the Decision expired on 31 December 2006 – this in spite of the fact that SIS II will take longer to complete than initially foreseen. A financial appropriation beyond 31 December 2006 is therefore required.

CONTENT: the purpose of this Regulation is to extend the period of validity of Council Decision 2001/886/JHA until 31 December 2008 thereby allowing the Commission to implement the budget after 2006 and to complete the development of SIS II, most notably its communication infrastructure.

At the same time two additional developments have been included in the amending Regulation. Firstly, the Regulation specifies that the central unit of SIS II will be located in Strasbourg (France) and the back-up unit in Sankt Johann im Pongau (Austria) during the development phase of the system. France and Austria will provide the appropriate infrastructure and means to host the central unit and back-up central unit. The national authorities, accordingly, may receive a Community grant for the preparation and maintenance of the site or for providing other services needed to host SIS II during its development. Secondly, the Regulation confers on the Commission responsibility for preparing the technical integration of the new Member States (who acceded in 2004) to SIS II.

The United Kingdom and Ireland will be taking part in this Decision. Denmark, however, will not.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 31/12/2006 (and 03/02/2007 according to the corrigendum).