S/C/N/ 982 
15 November  2019 
(19-7825) Page: 1/2 
Council for Trade in Services  Original:  English  
 
  
 
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III:3 OF THE  
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES  
The following notification, dated  5 November  2019, from the delegation of the European Union , is 
being circulated to Members of the Council for Trade in Services . 
 
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The following notification is made pursuant to GATS Article III:3 and relates to measures adopted 
by the European Union in 2018. Given that there is no common understanding among WTO Members 
on when a measure "significantly aff ects trade in services" within the meaning of GATS Article III:3 
and that the European Union cannot make a positive determination on this issue, it is therefore 
notifying measures that may be relevant to trade in services without prejudice to the interpret ation 
of the phrase "significantly affect trade in services" in Article III:3.  
 
 
1  MEMB ER NOTIFYING : 
The European Union  
2  NOTIFICATION UNDER : 
Article III:3 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services  
3  DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE : 
20 December 2018  
 
3.1  Duration:  
Not applicable  
 
4  AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE MEASURE : 
Member States of the EU & EU institutions  
 
5  DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE*: 
a) Full title:  
 
Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 
establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast).Text with EEA relevance.  
 
b) Brief summary of the content with a focus on the potential effect on services trade:  
 
This Directive establishes a harmonised framework for the reg ulation of electronic communications 
networks, electronic communications services, associated facilities and associated services, and 
                                                
* Including international agreements, recognition measures or other types.  S/C/N/ 982 
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  certain aspects of terminal equipment. It lays down tasks of national regulatory authorities and, 
where applicable, of oth er competent authorities, and establishes a set of procedures to ensure the 
harmonised application of the regulatory framework throughout the Union.  
 
The aims of this Directive are to: (a) implement an internal market in electronic communications 
networks and services that results in the deployment and take -up of very high capacity networks, 
sustainable competition, interoperability of electronic communications services, accessibility, 
security of networks and services and end -user benefits; and (b) ensure the provision throughout 
the Union of good quality, affordable, publicly available services through effective competition and 
choice, to deal with circumstances in which the needs of end -users, including those with disabilities 
in order to access the servi ces on an equal basis with others, are not satisfactorily met by the market 
and to lay down the necessary end -user rights.  
 
6  MEMB ERS SPECIFICALLY AFFECTED, IF ANY : 
None  
7  TEXTS AVAILABLE FROM : 
EU Official Journal:  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?qid=1551352635838&uri=CELEX:32018L1972  
 
 
 
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