A consequence of Brexit is that two European Union agencies currently hosted by the United Kingdom will need to be relocated elsewhere in the EU once the UK is no longer a member. In the next few years, both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) will need to find a new home, with 27 countries all vying for the privilege.

The European Council has drawn up a list of six essential criteria that any country considering hosting these agencies must meet, and, in recognition of the role that business continuity plays in enabling stability, and helping organizations to remain operational despite disruptive circumstances, this has been chosen as one of the criterion.

According to the procedure document published by the European Council, “This criterion is relevant given the critical nature of the services provided by the agencies and the need therefore to ensure continued functionality at the existing high level.”

“It concerns amongst other things the ability to allow the agencies to maintain and attract highly qualified staff from the relevant sectors, notably in case not all current staff should choose to relocate. Furthermore, it concerns the capacity to ensure a smooth transition to the new locations and hence to guarantee the business continuity of the agencies which should remain operational during the transition.”

All member states now have until the end of July to submit their bids and prove their business continuity capability, with a final decision to be taken in November.