Information Society services: procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules

The Commission's amended proposal takes over 12 of the 17 amendments adopted by Parliament at first reading. It takes over in particular the substance of the first part of Parliament's amendment 14: although it does not set up an ad hoc Standing Committee - which would involve specific financial cover - provision is made for the existing Committee and the national authorities to consult experts from industry and academia on regulatory issues relating to Information Society services. A further amendment provides that the report on the implementation of the directive which the Commission must present every two years should take account in particular of the societal and cultural aims of future draft rules on services. The deadline for bringing national rules into line with this Directive is set at 30 June 1998 (instead of 31 December 1997). Before 1 July 2000 the Commission will assess whether it is appropriate to submit proposals for the revision of the directive in the light of the technological development of the services. �