WRITTEN QUESTION E-1104/98

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: Standardization in electronic commerce

Ensuring the compatibility of electronic commerce on a world scale is a matter of key concern among business circles in the Union. What measures does the Commission propose to take to step up the standardization of European electronic commerce following the views expressed in the communication concerning "A European Initiative in Electronic Commerce"?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(20 May 1998)

The Global standards conference, "Building the global information society for the 21st century", hosted by the Commission in 1997, concluded that the main objective world-wide is to ensure interoperability in order to create an open electronic commerce framework. Voluntary standardization led by industry constitutes one of the most important ways to ensure interoperable solutions with a view to enhanced competitiveness of European industry.

The Commission as a follow-up of its communication in April 1997 "A European initiative in electronic commerce(1)", is launching in the framework of a specific work programme for electronic commerce a number of actions regarding standardization:

1. Strengthening the European standardization system

Initiatives have been launched to make the European standardization system more responsive to fast-moving changes mainly through open, flexible workshops with the participation of industry and users under the aegis of the European committee for standardisation (CEN) (CEN/ISSS).

2. Promotion of interoperable solutions

A specific action, different from research and technological development (RTD) projects dissemination, has been launched to enhance sectoral interoperability and promote available standards and technical specifications for a rapid uptake of electronic commerce by the industrial sectors in cooperation with European standardization bodies.

3. Protection of public interest

Standardization should be regarded as a specific form of self-regulation in support of public interest. A specific study on the role of standardization, electronic commerce and public interest was launched, in cooperation with consumers associations, to identify key areas where standardization could support legal or regulatory or voluntary agreements. In addition a transparency mechanism will be developed (observatory) for consumer related issues and standardized solutions.

4. International standardization

Initiatives have been launched with regard to the promotion of European interests in the field of international information and communication technology (ICT) standardization and in particular in the area of electronic commerce.

5. Protect competition

A specific study is being launched on classification of requirements for electronic commerce with a view to promote fair competition and remove impediments to the development of electronic commerce in Europe.

6. Information society standardization system - ISIS

ISIS, a pilot initiative launched by the Commission, applies focused resources via industry-led shared-cost projects to complement and accelerate formal standardisation for ICTs, in particular electronic commerce. ISIS is a rapid-response mechanism, which validates and demonstrates standards for novel technologies leading to earlier availability of proven standards and which stimulates convergence where there are signs of fragmentation. ISIS builds awareness within industry of standards-based solutions. A new call for proposals for ISIS, including a strong electronic commerce theme, will be published on the 15 June 1998.

7. International standards and the World trade organisation (WTO)

The communication from the Communities and their Member States to the WTO on electronic commerce, which was issued on 23 April 1998, recognises the importance of open and internationally agreed standards to promoting competition in electronic commerce.

(1) COM(97) 157 final.