The UK has unveiled a proposal that would empower the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to temporarily authorize effective COVID-19 vaccines while they are still under review.

Under the proposal, which only applies to vaccines under review before 2021, the MHRA could grant temporary authorizations if vaccines are safe and effective, and if they meet certain quality standards.

The UK’s health department said that the new measure is needed because during the transition period for the UK’s exit from the European Union, the European Medicines Agency still has the sole authority for licensing COVID-19 vaccines for the UK until Dec. 31.