L 343/28 Official Journal of the European Union 19.11.2004 COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS DECISION No 197 of 23 March 2004 on the transitional periods for the introduction of the European Health Insurance Card in accordance with Article 5 of Decision No 191 (Text of relevance to the EEA and to the EU/Switzerland Agreement) (2004/777[EC) THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS, Having regard to Article 81(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 140871 of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (%), under which it is responsible for dealing with any administrative question arising from Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and subsequent Regulations, Having regard to Decision No 191 of 18 June 2003 on the replacement of forms E 111 and E 111B by the European Health Insurance Card (3), Whereas: (1)  Pursuant to Article 1 of Decision No 191, the European Health Insurance Card will replace forms E 111 and E 111B from 1 June 2004. The E 111 and E 111B forms issued by the Member States’ competent insti- tutions before 31 May 2004 will remain valid until 31 December 2004 at the latest. (2)  Pursuant to Article 5 of Decision No 191, the Member States which do not have a health insurance card at the time when the Decision is adopted may be granted a () OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 631/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 100, 6.4.2004, p. 1). (3 OJ L 276, 27.10.2003, p. 19. transitional period, which may not, however, extend beyond 31 December 2005. The Member States which fulfil this condition must inform the Administrative Commission before 1 December 2003 of their intention to claim such a period, specifying its duration. After 1 June 2004, the competent institutions of the Member States granted a transitional period will therefore continue to issue E 111 forms, the validity of which will expire at the end of the transitional period. The new Member States which fulfil the abovementioned condition must notify the Administrative Commission of their wish to be allowed a transitional period and specify its duration by 31 May 2004 at the latest. In order to ensure clear and transparent information for institutions and citizens, and to guarantee recognition of the E 111 forms that will continue to be issued after 1 June 2004 in certain Member States, a list must be drawn up of the Member States granted such a transi- tional period. However, as regards the new Member States and the EFTA countries this list can only be indi- cative as long as Decision No 191 does not apply there. From 1 June 2004, the competent institutions of the Member States which do not have a transitional period may no longer issue forms E 111 or E 111B. Conse- quently, if the European card is introduced gradually, certain competent institutions of the Member States concerned will have to issue to insured persons a temporary replacement certificate if they are unable to issue European cards. However, all the competent insti- tutions must be able to issue cards by 1 January 2006 at the latest.