WRITTEN QUESTION E-0771/01 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. E-commerce and financial services.
Date: 2001-03-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: approximation of laws, consumer protection, cross-frontier data flow, data protection, electronic commerce, electronic money, financial market, financial transaction, single market

C 318 E/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

attention to the value of the site for nature conservation and requesting information concerning any
intended proposal of the site for the Natura 2000 network by virtue of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1).

The Commission is currently investigating the case and the elements supplied by the Greek authorities in
their reply, taking into account the conservation value of the site. A technical visit to the Schinias site is
scheduled by the Commission in order to assess the compatibility of the planned Olympic project with the
nature conservation of the site.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 318 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0771/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2001)

Subject: E-commerce and financial services

With the intention of promoting electronic commerce in financial services, the Commission submitted,
some weeks ago, a strategy aimed at achieving an integrated market in those services by 2005. This
strategy is based on the (cid:145)country of origin principle(cid:146): in other words, crossborder buying and selling of
financial services should obey the rules of the Member State in which the service is provided.

In the interests of overcoming the existing market
fragmentation, what concrete actions does the
Commission intend to take to boost consumer confidence in Internet payment systems? By what means
does the Commission propose to harmonise the codes of conduct for professionals? To what extent does it
intend to cooperate with operators on those markets to ensure that its objectives are achieved by 2005?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2001)

As explained in the Communication on (cid:145)E-Commerce and Financial Services(cid:146) (1) confidence in Internet
payment systems is essential for the development of business to consumer e-commerce. The Commission
is working on both improving the technical security and establishing a legislative framework in order to
promote consumer confidence in Internet payments.

the Commission recently adopted a Fraud Prevention Action Plan (2) which covers
In addition,
improvements to payment products and systems, as well as an improved information
technological
exchange.
levels in
It also stresses the need for close co-operation of all the parties involved at all
a payment transaction. The Commission will co-ordinate action to promote preventive measures, including
information gathering and awareness raising initiatives. A forum on security of payment products and
systems will be established as well as an experts(cid:146) group at Community level with the aim of strengthening
cross-border co-operation.

Concerning legislative measures, the Commission believes that a legal framework for a refund system that
establishes a right for refund in the event of a non-authorised transaction and non-delivery of goods
purchased at a distance is needed urgently. This framework will strengthen the existing Community
legislation on consumer protection in the area of electronic payments (3).

The Commission is supportive of industry developments in secure technical solutions, for example through
other initiatives undertaken by the Commission, such as the possibility to propose a directive on mutual
recognition of the evaluation of security product and services and as the smart card charter in the e-Europe
initiative.

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/119

Following the conclusion of the Presidency at the European Council of Stockholm, the Commission will
develop, in co-operation with the Council, a vast strategy in the electronic network security area.

(1) COM(2001) 66 final.
(2) COM(2001) 11 final.
(3) Directive 97/7/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of consumers in respect
of distance contracts (cid:129) Statement by the Council and the Parliament re Article 6(1) (cid:129) Statement by the
Commission re Article 3(1), first indent (OJ L 144, 4.6.1997) and 97/489/EC: Commission Recommendation of
30 July 1997 concerning transactions by electronic payment instruments and in particular the relationship between
issuer and holder (OJ L 208, 2.8.1997).

(2001/C 318 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0775/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Community regulation of teleworking

(13 March 2001)

The exercise of one(cid:146)s profession at a distance using the multiple possibilities now offered by the
information society has made teleworking an increasingly common form of work. This is recognised by
the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council of 23 and 24 March 2000; the same European Council
issued a series of recommendations on the subject. On 7 February 2001,
those
recommendations, the committee on social dialogue of the telecommunications sector, which brings
together 16 European operators, formally adopted an agreement setting out organisational guidelines for
teleworking.

in the wake of

Has the Commission produced any legislative initiative establishing a framework to regulate this form of
work at Community level? Does the Commission believe it should express a position on the proper
treatment of teleworkers EU-wide as compared with other workers, in the areas of working conditions,
training and information opportunities and career development?

(2001/C 318 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1012/01

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Community rules on teleworking

(30 March 2001)

Recently the telecommunications sector social-dialogue committee formally adopted guidelines for the
organisation of
teleworking. This agreement has been reached by following the Lisbon Summit
recommendations and by acknowledging that teleworking is an increasingly common form of work
organisation.

One of the most significant of the above guidelines is the one which acknowledges that teleworkers should
be treated in the same way as other employees as regards working conditions, the availability of training
and information, trade-union rights and career development.

Does the Commission think that there should be Community rules on teleworking based on the above-
mentioned guidelines, so as to harmonise the relevant provisions and ensure that all teleworkers are treated
fairly?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0775/01 and E-1012/01
given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(18 May 2001)

On 20 June 2000, the Commission began consultations with the social partners on the modernisation and
improvement of employment relations on the basis of Article 138(2) (ex Article 118a) of the EC Treaty. On