Electronic commerce is essentially a global, rather than a national, issue.
Not surprisingly a number of initiatives concerning cryptography are taking place in various fora. Indeed recent years have witnessed a remarkable growth in the nature and range of bodies engaged in discussion of this issue. The Government believes that it is important to monitor these developments carefully to ensure consistency with our own policies. The UK welcomed this communication and was pleased when the Commission adopted its draft Electronic Signatures Directive in May 1998. It is anticipated that the Directive will be formally agreed in the latter half of the year.