Draft Digital Networks Act

Article 106(9): PSAP Directory

The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of

Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) fully supports the European

Commission's objective of enhancing cross-border emergency communications and

informs that an operational pan-European solution already exists.

The European Communications Office (ECO), the permanent office of CEPT, a reliable,

recognised international organisation governed by European administrations, operates

the ECO PSAP Directory, a secured database gathering pan-European Public Safety

Answering Points to ensure seamless cross-border cooperation between emergency

services including non-EU countries. The directory is technically aligned with EU

requirements stipulated in the European Electronic Communications Code (Article 109(8)

EECC), has been in operation for nearly a decade, and is used by 28 CEPT countries,

including 22 EU Member States. The ECO PSAP Directory enables direct contact

between PSAPs across Europe and is used in around 30–40 cross-border emergency

incidents each month, demonstrating its practical value in supporting effective emergency

response.

Article 106(9) of the draft Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposes an obligation for EU

Member States to provide up-to-date E.164 numbers and the establishment of a

database of those numbers that Member State’s PSAP systems shall use to contact each

other from one Member State to another. While it is welcomed to strengthen the

availability of information for cross-border emergency communications, it is similarly

important to preserve the flexibility currently afforded under the EECC, allowing

established arrangements like the ECO PSAP Directory to continue to be used. This

approach would avoid unnecessary duplication, additional reporting burdens, and

fragmenting existing operational processes, while supporting effective cross-border

cooperation for the benefit of EU citizens and citizens of neighbouring countries.

The ECC therefore believes that the DNA should enable the continued use of the ECO

PSAP Directory for the purposes of Article 106(9).

For further details, see ECO PSAP Directory.

Draft Digital Networks Act

Article 106(9): PSAP Directory

The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of

Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) fully supports the European

Commission's objective of enhancing cross-border emergency communications and

informs that an operational pan-European solution already exists.

The European Communications Office (ECO), the permanent office of CEPT, a reliable,

recognised international organisation governed by European administrations, operates

the ECO PSAP Directory, a secured database gathering pan-European Public Safety

Answering Points to ensure seamless cross-border cooperation between emergency

services including non-EU countries. The directory is technically aligned with EU

requirements stipulated in the European Electronic Communications Code (Article 109(8)

EECC), has been in operation for nearly a decade, and is used by 28 CEPT countries,

including 22 EU Member States. The ECO PSAP Directory enables direct contact

between PSAPs across Europe and is used in around 30–40 cross-border emergency

incidents each month, demonstrating its practical value in supporting effective emergency

response.

Article 106(9) of the draft Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposes an obligation for EU

Member States to provide up-to-date E.164 numbers and the establishment of a

database of those numbers that Member State’s PSAP systems shall use to contact each

other from one Member State to another. While it is welcomed to strengthen the

availability of information for cross-border emergency communications, it is similarly

important to preserve the flexibility currently afforded under the EECC, allowing

established arrangements like the ECO PSAP Directory to continue to be used. This

approach would avoid unnecessary duplication, additional reporting burdens, and

fragmenting existing operational processes, while supporting effective cross-border

cooperation for the benefit of EU citizens and citizens of neighbouring countries.

The ECC therefore believes that the DNA should enable the continued use of the ECO

PSAP Directory for the purposes of Article 106(9).

For further details, see ECO PSAP Directory.