Le fonti del diritto dell’Unione in materia di salute pubblica alla prova dell’emergenza sanitaria: alcune riflessioni sulle misure di contrasto della pandemia e sul “certificato digitale COVID-19 UE”

di Enza Cirone

SOMMARIO: Introduzione. – 2. Le competenze dell’Unione europea in materia di sanità pubblica. – 2.1. La disciplina dei poteri dell’UE. – 2.2. Il sistema europeo di contrasto alle catastrofi e alle emergenze a carattere transfrontaliero. – 3. Azioni adottate e carenze riscontrate in risposta alla pandemia: focus sul settore della salute pubblica. – 4. Certificato covid-19 UE: dalla proposta al regolamento (UE) 2021/953. – 4.1. La protezione dei dati come condizione essenziale di legittimità. - 4.2. Un sistema interoperabile. - 5. La promessa di libertà che apre un vaso di Pandora? – 6. Note conclusive sulle competenze in materia di salute. È tempo di riforma?

This article analyzes some of the challenges posed by the introduction of the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate as a tool to facilitate mobility in the EU during the pandemic. While there is no consensus regarding the efficacy of vaccination in avoiding the transmission of the virus, the key rationale of these certificates is an attempt at striking a balance between two conflicting objectives: individual freedom on the one hand and public health protection on the other. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the ongoing discussion and an analysis of arguments relating to legal, ethical and social issues in the perspective of EU law. The results from this analysis show that, although this instrument facilitates European Union (EU) cross-border movement, it also risks creating new forms of inequality as well as opening Pandora’s box of discrimination. Interestingly, the study of the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate, which cannot (and should not) be examined isolated from the overall EU regulatory response to the pandemic, is preparatory to further reflection on the redefinition of Union’s competences in the field of public health. In this respect, this article argues that the pandemic has revealed the need to provide the EU with solid legislative powers to tackle the various health challenges that could arise in the future.