WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/03 by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission. Graduates in information science and their right to exercise their profession.
Date: 2003-02-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, access to a profession, competence of the Member States, engineer, freedom to provide services, information profession, information technology profession, professional qualifications, professional society, recognition of vocational training qualifications

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/29

(2004/C 65 E/029)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/03

by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 February 2003)

Subject: Graduates in information science and their right to exercise their profession

Four-year degree courses in ‘information science’ were introduced in science faculties in Italy in 1969 and
degree courses in ‘computer science’ were introduced in 1992.

Degree courses in information science and computer science are absolutely equivalent and equally valid,
as acknowledged by the CUN (National Council of Universities) in 1999, and graduates in these subjects
have always been qualified to carry out all activities involved in the transmission and processing of data.
However, Presidential Decree No 328/2001 of June 2001 (reform of the Italian professional associations)
states that those enrolled in the information section of the Register of Engineers are the only professionals
recognised as qualified to exercise the profession of ‘transmitting and processing information’ and the
profession of computer scientist.

The Explanatory Circular of 28 May 2002 issued by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research
rules out the possibility of those who graduated in information science and computer science under the
old system taking the State examination, being enrolled on the professional Register or exercising the
profession which they had always practised with total reliability until these provisions were brought in.
They are even prevented from taking part in tendering procedures or consultancy work, which require
inclusion on the Register or authorisation by a qualified professional. This constitutes total discrimination.

What steps will the Commission take, in accordance with the right of establishment, the principles of
freedom of movement and trust and, more generally, the principles underlying the EU Treaty, to avoid any
further discrimination against those who graduated in information science and computer science under the
old system and do their work in a professional and reliable manner, and in order to enable national and
Community clients to benefit, in a single market, from services and/or advice provided by those with
identical and/or comparable qualifications?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2003)

Directive 89/48/EEC (1), which is applicable to a wide range of professions, including that of engineer, has
the objective of facilitating the freedom of establishment, the free movement of workers and the free
provision of services. This Directive has not harmonised the education and training leading to the different
professions in the Member States. It has only set up a ‘general system’ for the mutual recognition of
professional qualifications which allows European nationals who possess a professional qualification in
their Member State of origin to exercise their profession in another Member State, even if they do not have
the qualification required under the law of that State.

Under the Directive, Member States are only obliged to recognise,
if certain conditions are met,
professional qualifications awarded in other Member States. Member States remain otherwise free to
regulate professions within their territories and to establish the level and type of qualification required for
a given profession (e.g. training duration, accomplishment of a probation period, possession of a diploma,
access through competitive examinations, etc.), as well as the range of activities included in each
profession. The matter raised by the Honourable Member is therefore under the sole responsibility of the
Italian authorities.

(1) Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education
diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years duration, OJ L 19,
24.1.1989.