Behind the agreement is the vision that scientific information should be made permanently available electronically for all scientists and students. Mr. Loek Hermans, the Dutch Minister of Education, has given his support to the initiative. This agreement, which provides for electronic access to the full-text of all Elsevier Science journals, reverses the trend whereby scientific information was becoming less readily available and accessible.
Wider access serves the interests of both authors and readers.
If that same product is to be sold in Electronic format a so-called high service rate would be applicable. There will be no opportunity for VAT exemption. Currently there are draft proposals for a VATregime on electronic formatted publications. There is agreement among EU member states that there are good reasons for offering lower VAT rates on publishing products such as books, newspapers and magazines, for reasons of culture and education. It also conflicts with the EU's objectives to facilitate E-commerce.