CELEX: 51988PC0523
Language: en
Date: 1988-10-04
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Decision 87/499/EEC introducing a communications network Community programme on trade electronic data interchange systems (TEDIS) (presented by the Commission)

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COM (88) 523
Vol. 1988/0184
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 ---pagebreak--- I
t    COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
]                                                   /
j                                                 COM(88) 523 final
 i                                                Brussels , 4 October 1988
                                     Proposai for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
       amending Decision 87 / 499 / EEC introducing a communications network
                  Community programme on trade electronic data
                            interchange systems ( TEDIS )
                         ( presented by the Commission )
   j
 ---pagebreak---                             EXPLANATOFY MEMORANDUM
In accordance with the guidelines laid down in the White Paper on
completing the internal market and the Green Paper of 30 June 1987 on the
development of the common market for telecommunications services and
equipment , the Community is continuing its efforts to ensure the
coordinated development of electronic data transfer systems both within and
outside the Community .
Practical activities concern three core areas :
(i )    developing common standards , such as the EDIFACT standard on
        eleotronio data transmission under the aegis of the United Nations
        Economic Commission for Europe ;
(ii )   development by the Commission and the Member States of computerized
        administrative procedures , coordinated by the Commission in the CD
        project ;
(ill )  activities and studies under the Community TEDIS programme aimed at
        coordinated development of electronic systems for transferring
        trade data .
The member states of EFTA , conscious of the importance of this sector for
the future of the industrialized economies , are pursuing the same
objectives as the Community .
In the area of standardization , the member states of EFTA participate along
with the Community in the work of United Nations Working Party No 4 on
EDIFACT and Western Europe .
In addition , as part of the follow-up to the Luxembourg Declaration , there
is excellent cooperation at expert level between the Commission and the
administrative bodies of the member states of EFTA in the areas covered by
the CD project .
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 2 -
When the Community TEDIS programme was adopted , the member states of EFTA
expressed their interest in taking part , and recently presented the
Commission with a formal request to this effect .
The Commission weloomes this request , especially as in the Luxembourg
Declaration the ministers of the Member States of the Community and the
member states of EFTA gave priority to cooperation in the areas of
telecommunications and information systems and to harmonizing standards and
eliminating technical barriers .
Under Article 5 of Council Decision 87/499/ EEC , which introduced the TEDIS
programme , participation in the programme 1s limited to undertakings
established in the Community , and the Decision does not allow for the
extension of the programme to non-member countries .
The purpose of this proposal is therefore to amend the Council Decision so
as to allow the Commission to negotiate agreements in the form of exchanges
of letters with each of the member states of EFTA associating them with the
programme .
The member states of EFTA will have to make a reasonable financial
contribution to the programme in order to allow the planned activities to
be expanded .
As the initial phase of the TEDIS programme cannot at this stage be
regarded as a commercial policy measure , the Commission proposes a simple
amendment to the Council Decision on the basis of Article 235 .
                                                                  J
 ---pagebreak---                                 Proposai for a
                               COUNCIL DECISION
                          amending Decision 87 / 499 / EEC
       introducing a oommunioations network Community programme on trude
                  eleotronio data interchange systems (TEDIS )
 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Eoonomio Community ,
 and in particular Article 235 thereof .
 Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,
 Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ,
 Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ,
 Whereas Council Decision 87/499/EEC     set up a
 communications network Community programme on trade eleotronio data
 interchange systems (TEDIS) in trade , industry and administration; whereas
 the programme Includes activities and studies aimed at avoiding
 incompatibility between different eleotronio trade data interchange systems
 caused by lack of common standards ;
 Whereas certain non-member countries , in particular the member states of
 the European Free Trade Association , take an active part in drawing up
 European and international, standards in this area ; whereas these countries
 have expressed the desire to be associated with the TEDIS programme ;
 Whereas it is in the Community 's interest to avoid fresh barriers to trade
 with these countries in the sector in question and to contribute to the
 coordinated development of trade eleotronio data interchange systems in
 Europe ;
1 0J No L 285, 8.10.1987, p. 35 .
                                                                       H
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 2 -
Whereas agreements to this effeot Should therefore be concluded with the
non-member oountries oonoemed ,
HAS DECXDED AS PQtUOWS :
                                    Article 1
Decision 87/499/EBC is hereby amended as follows :
1 . In Article 5 , the phrase " established in the Community " is
replaced by the phrase " established in the Community or a non-member
country with which the Community has concluded an agreement assooiating the
country in question with the programme" .
2 . The following Article 5a is inserted :
" In accordance with Article 228 of the Treaty , the Community may conclude
agreements with nan-member countries , and in particular the. member states of the
European Free Trade Association , fully or partially associating them with
the programme .
The Commission shall be authorized to negotiate these agreements ."
                                    Artide 2
This Decision shall    take effect on ...
Done at                                          For the Counci l
 ---pagebreak---                                                                     ANNEX
                 COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT
 I.   What is the main reason for introducing the measure ?
      To extend participation in TEDIS programme to EFTA countries .
II .  Features of the businesses in question . In particular :
       ( a ) Are there many SMEs?
             Many SMEs are affected by electronic data transmission and
             would benefit from common standards for whole of W. Europe .
       ( b ) Have any mergers been noted in any regions which are :
             ( i ) eligible for regional aid in the Member States?
             ( ii ) eligible under the ERDF ?
             N0
III . What direct obligations does this measure impose on businesses?
      NONE . Measure designed to help businesses .
IV .  What indirect obligations are local authorities likely to impose
      on businesses ?
      N0NE .
V.    Are there any special measures in respect of SMEs? Please
      specify .
      YES . In accordance with Article 3,13 of Decision 87 /499 /EEC ,
      special studies are made on promotion of electronic data trans¬
      mission by SMEs .
VI .  What is the likely effect on :
      ( a ) the competitiveness of businesses?
      ( b ) employment?
      The creation of a common market for telecommunication and elec¬
      tronic data systems , which is the purpose of the TEDIS programme,
      will be of considerable benefit to the competitiveness of Euro¬
      pean companies and y as an area with considerable growth potential*
      can be expected to have a positive effect on employment . There
      are obvious advantages in avoiding new barriers to trade between
      EC and EFTA in this key sector .
VII . Have both sides of industry been consulted? Please indicate
      their opinions .
      N0 .