The Commission has adopted a package of measures aimed at authorising law enforcement authorities to consult the EURODAC database of fingerprints for the purpose of fighting terrorism and serious crime, such as trafficking in human beings and in drugs. The measures also aim at integrating the suggestions of the European Parliament and the Council on the EURODAC Regulation for making the EURODAC database more efficient.

The measures proposed by the Commission regulate the procedure in which law enforcement authorities can consult the EURODAC database and the conditions under which such request can be made. At the same time, the measures provide a series of guarantees aimed at ensuring the protection of the personal data of the persons concerned and in safeguarding the right to asylum.

It was found that, even though the law enforcement authorities of many Member States have access to their national databases which contain the data of applicants for international protection, it is very difficult and burdensome for them to exchange such information among them.

Despite the fact that several instruments exist at EU level which facilitate the exchange of information between Member States of fingerprints required, the new proposal will avoid multiple cooperation requests, by identifying directly at EU level the Member States which holds the fingerprints in question. Comparison of fingerprints can then take place between the requesting Member States and the Member States in possession of the file.

The EURODAC database contains the fingerprints of applicants for international protection and of those third country nationals who crossed the border of one of the Member States irregularly. It has been created and, until today, been used for the purposes of the asylum policy of the Union.