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

OBJECTIVE: to ensure greater transparency in future rules applying to Information Society services. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Directive 98/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 98/34/EC laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations. SUBSTANCE: The system of transparency proposed by the Commission has the following aims: (a) to promote the smooth functioning of the internal market in the area of Information Society services by avoiding the creation of new obstacles; (b) to ensure an equivalent level of general interest protection between the Member States; (c) to reduce the need for new Community regulations and target them more precisely; (d) to facilitate cooperation between administrations; (e) to contribute to the stability of the regulatory framework, as a precondition to stimulate the development of the Information Society. Specifically, each Member State must notify the Commission and the other Member States of proposals for national rules concerning Information Society services: there must be a delay before they come into force to make it possible to verify their coherence and compatibility with existing Community law and in particular with internal market rules. A system is introduced concerning notification of proposals for national rules on on-line financial services. The procedure is to be managed by a committee. �