Eu social security: New European social security legislation delayed until 1 May 2010

The EC Administrative Commission has pushed back the implementation date for the new EC-wide social security regulations (Regulation 883/2004) from 1 March to 1 May 2010. The statement from the Administrative Commission announced:

"We have been informed by our colleagues from the Council Secretariat that the new Implementing Regulation and the amending Regulation will be signed by Council and Parliament on 16 September 2009.

The subsequent publication in the Official Journal normally takes 3-4 weeks. Taking into account the 6 months waiting period, this means that our internal working date for our preparations for the application of the new Regulations will have to be moved to 1 May 2010."

Given the difficulty that many national Social Security administrations have had in getting to grips with the new legislation, and the requirements around electronic exchange of information, the delay is not unwelcome. It also provided employers with a greater period of time to put in place procedures to reduce the risks associated with the cross-border compliance regulations. Having moved the supposedly 'fixed' launch date, it would not now be surprising if further delays occur.