COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(93) 280 final - SYN 444 
Brussels, 10 June 1993 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL PI RECTIVE 
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
concerning satellite earth station equipment, 
extending the scope of Directive 91/263/EEC 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3) 
of the EEC-Treaty) 
- A -
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. This Communication concerns a modified proposal for a Council Directive on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning satellite earth station 
equipment, extending the scope of Directive 91/263/EEC. 
2. The Commission submitted its original proposal to the Council on the 10th of 
December 1992 [COM(92)451 final - SYN 444]. 
The Economic and Social Committee gave its favourable opinion on 31 March 1993. 
The European Parliament adopted a favourable opinion on 26 May 1993, including 
seven (7) amendments to the proposal of the Commission. 
3. Of the seven amendments proposed by the European Parliament, the Commission 
accepted one in full: Amendment 1. This amendment concerns a clarification of recital 
(23), which is now fully in line with the Negotiation Mandate adopted by Council 
concerning Mutual Recognition Arrangements. 
The Commission accepted amendment 4 in principle. Although the text is now no 
longer fully in line with the text of Directive 91/263/EEC, the amendment can be 
accepted. 
4. The Commission rejected five other amendments adopted by the European 
Parliament. This concern amendments 2,3,5, 6 and 7. 
Amendments 2 and 7 concern mostly consumer products. The Commission feels that 
e.g. manufactures and users of such equipment would be overly and unjustifiably 
burdened by the proposed amendments. 
Amendments 3 and 6 concern proposed for changes which, in the views of the 
Commission, do not bring added value to the existing text. 
Amendment 5 concerns a request to add the symbol of the 12 stars of the European 
flag to the "CE" type-approval mark. Although the Commission has sympathy for the 
idea, the "CE" marking symbol is a proposed harmonised symbol for all products type-
approved under harmonised Community procedures. Council approval of the use of 
this symbol is imminent. 
5. In accordance with Article 149(3) of the Treaty, the Commission amends its initial 
proposal accordingly. 
;| _ ....•.„,,, ii^ 
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Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
concerning satellite earth station equipment, 
extending the scope of Directive 91/263 /EEC 
- 3 . 
MODIFICATION NO. 1 (based on EP Amendment 1) 
ORIGINAL COMMISSION PROPOSAL MODIFIED PROPOSAL 
Recital 23 
Whereas real, comparable access to the 
third country markets for European 
manufacturers should preferably be 
achieved through multilateral negotiations 
within GATT, although bilateral talks 
between the Community and third 
countries may also contribute to this 
process; Whereas real, comparable access to the 
third country markets for European 
manufacturers should preferably be 
achieved through multilateral negotiations 
within GATT, although bilateral talks 
between the Community and third 
count ries, in particular the United States 
and Japan, may also contribute to this 
process; 
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MODIFICATION NO.2 (based on EP Amendment 4) 
ORIGINAL COMMISSION PROPOSAL MODIFIED PROPOSAL 
Article 3(5), first paragraph 
5. Satellite earth station equipment shall 
satisfy the essential requirements set out in 
Article 4(g) of Directive 91/263/EEC, 
regarding the interworking of satellite 
earth station equipment with the public 
telecommunications network, in justified 
cases. 5. Satellite earth station equipment shall 
satisfy the essential requirements set out in 
Article 4(g) of Directive 91/263/EEC, 
regarding the interworking of satellite 
earth station equipment via the public 
telecommunications network, in justified 
cases. 

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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (93) 280 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-311-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-56783-X 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
Lr2985 Luxembourg