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Ageing well in the Information Society: Action Plan on Information and Communication Technologies and Ageing

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Ageing well in the Information Society: Action Plan on Information and Communication Technologies and Ageing

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Ageing well in the Information Society: Action Plan on Information and Communication Technologies and Ageing

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Digital Strategy i2010 Strategy eEurope Action Plan Digital Strategy Programmes

Ageing well in the Information Society: Action Plan on Information and Communication Technologies and Ageing

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 14 June 2007: Ageing well in the Information Society – An i2010 initiative – Action Plan on Information and Communication Technologies and Ageing [COM(2007) 332 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The ageing of Europe’s population poses a challenge to the European market for employment, social services systems and health care. But it also provides an economic and social opportunity: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will give rise to new, more accessible products and services satisfying the needs of older people.

The action plan seeks to promote and coordinate the development of ICTs associated with services for older people in the European Union (EU), to enable them to:

  • prolong their working life, while maintaining a work-life balance;
  • stay socially active and creative, through networking and access to public and commercial services. This would reduce the social isolation of older people, particularly in rural areas;
  • age well at home: ICTs must encourage a higher quality of life and degree of independence.

Europe must adopt ICT for ageing well *. These technologies may indeed become a driver for jobs and growth, as well as a successful lead market.

For the moment, the market for services associated with ageing remains fragmented. Furthermore, none of the stakeholders (older people, industry, public authorities) have an overview of the problems and the solutions needed. Market development is hampered by the lack of exchange of experience and good practice. Standards, procedures, reimbursement schemes and provisions related to disability vary from one Member State to another. Finally, technical barriers stand in the way: older people do not necessarily have the technological tools and know-how needed.

In order to rationalise this system the Commission is encouraging stakeholders to place users at the centre of their thinking.

The objectives of the Commission’s action plan are therefore aimed as much at citizens as at businesses and public authorities. The objectives are:

  • for citizens, a better quality of life and better health;
  • for companies, increased market size and market opportunities in the internal market for ICT and ageing, better skilled and productive workforce and a stronger position in the growing markets worldwide;
  • for public authorities, cost reductions, increased efficiency and better overall quality of health and social care systems.

The action plan is structured around four areas:

  • removing legal and technical barriers to development of the market, by assessing the markets and facilitating the exchange of good practices between Member States. The Commission proposes assessing the technological possibilities and identifying guidance and target dates. This is with a view to removing legal and technical barriers to the uptake of ICTs for independent living. The Member States should, in parallel, strengthen the implementation of current legal requirements for e-Accessibility;
  • raising awareness and building consensus through the cooperation and development of partnerships between the different stakeholders. ICT for ageing well will be a key contribution to the European e-Inclusion Initiative in 2008. The launch of an internet portal for ICT and ageing is also planned.
  • accelerating take-up of technologies, for example, through a set of pilot projects and a European award scheme for smart homes and independent living applications;
  • stimulating research and innovation, through immediate support for shared research agendas between the public and private sectors, dedicated to “Ambient Assisted Living”. This agenda seeks to encourage the emergence of innovative ICT-based products, services and systems for the benefit of Europe’s ageing population.

The Commission seeks to improve ICT-based research for older people in the 7th framework programme (FP7) for research, technological development and demonstration activities. Other initiatives are being launched within the context of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme. These will be accompanied by a new European Shared Research Programme. In total, the programmes will increase investment in ICT research and innovation to over EUR 1 billion.

In the future, better coordination between Member States is necessary to stimulate market-oriented research in this field. To achieve these objectives, a common research initiative “Ageing well in the Information Society” will be set up. Furthermore, businesses, industry, service providers, etc. will be encouraged to establish dialogue, particularly through technology platforms, to allow for more rapid emergence of innovative products, services and systems.

Background

This action plan forms an integral part of the European Union i2010 initiative – An information society for growth and jobs. The Commission had previously adopted a strategy on accessibility of online products and services in 2005, and in 2006 the Member States reached agreement in Riga on a policy agenda  for an accessible information society based on inclusion.

Ageing in Europe is an important economic and social challenge: in 2020, a quarter of Europe’s population will be over 65, while expenditure on retirement and health care will have tripled by 2050. However, older people are also consumers that should not be discounted, with global wealth in excess of EUR 3 000 billion.

Key terms used in the act
  • ICT for ageing well: Information and Communication Technologies dedicated to services to persons, aimed at making these services more accessible and effective for an ageing population, particularly in terms of health.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 1 June 2005: “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment” [COM(2005) 229 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 8 November 2007: “European i2010 initiative on e-Inclusion – To be part of the information society”. [COM(2007) 694 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

EGovernment

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eGovernment

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about eGovernment

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Digital Strategy i2010 Strategy eEurope Action Plan Digital Strategy Programmes

eGovernment

eEurope 2005 To harness the full potential of eGovernment, it is necessary to identify the obstacles which are slowing down the rate at which on-line public services are being made available in the Member States and to propose action to speed up the deployment of eGovernment. This is the objective of the Commission Communication described below.

Communication of 26 September 2003 from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “The Role of eGovernment for Europe’s future” [COM(2003) 567 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

“eGovernment” * means the use of information and communication technologies * (ICT) in public administrations combined with organisational changes and new skills. The objective is to improve public services, democratic processes and public policies.

STATE OF PLAY

Progress has been made in every Member State in bringing public services online, with average online availability growing from 45% to 65% between October 2001 and October 2002.

In terms of services to citizens, eGovernment has already shown the advantages which it can bring in citizens’ everyday lives. It not only makes it easier to obtain information from public administrations but also greatly facilitates formalities for members of the public and cuts waiting times. Beyond that, eGovernment fosters direct communication between citizens and policy-makers. Through online forums, virtual discussion rooms and electronic voting, citizens can directly question decision-makers and express their views on public policy. Today public internet access points * are gradually becoming the norm for services to citizens.

As regards services to businesses, provision of higher quality electronic services by public administrations leads to increased productivity and competitiveness, by reducing the cost of the public service itself as well as transaction costs to businesses (time and effort). For example, electronic customs and VAT handling and electronic tax declarations offer the advantage of speeding up procedures at the same time as improving quality of service. The sophistication of online services, in terms of supporting interactivity and transactions, has advanced more in the business sector than in services to citizens.

In the case of services between administrations, eGovernment can provide ways to strengthen cooperation between national, regional and local government and Community institutions. Regional and local administrations are often at the forefront of the delivery of on-line public services. Development of eGovernment at regional and local level has also become a priority of the Structural Funds, representing about 30% of Information Society expenditure in Objective 1 regions and 20% in Objective 2 regions.

OBSTACLES TO GENERAL AVAILABILITY OF eGOVERNMENT: PRIORITY ISSUES

The Commission has identified a number of priority issues which have to be addressed in order to remove the obstacles to general availability of eGovernment.

Inclusive access

Access for all to online public services is a sine qua non for wide use of eGovernment. This point is all the more important considering the very real risk of a “digital divide” – due to unequal access to information and computer technologies. In this context, education and training are essential to acquire the digital literacy necessary in order to reap the full benefit of the services offered by eGovernment. Digital literacy is one of the priorities of the eLearning programme. Greater access to services also implies stepping up the multi-platform approach (allowing access to services through a range of devices, from PCs and digital TV to mobile terminals or public internet access points).

User confidence

Public services can be offered on line only in an environment guaranteeing fully secure access for citizens. With this in view, maximum protection of personal data and security of digital transactions and communications are primary issues. To this end, the use of privacy enhancing technologies in eGovernment should be promoted, inter alia through the relevant Community programmes. More generally, network and information security, the fight against cybercrime and dependability are prerequisites for a properly-functioning Information Society and, consequently, are core policy issues within the European Union.

Public procurement

Public procurement is one area where use of ICT can be particularly advantageous. Traditional public procurement operations are complex, time-consuming and resource-intensive. Use of ICT in public procurement can therefore improve efficiency, quality and value for money in public purchases. Until now the absence of clear Community rules has been an obstacle to the take-up of electronic public procurement in Europe. The adoption of the new package of legislation on public procurement, which includes specific rules on electronic public procurement, should be a turning point for the spread of electronic public procurement in Europe.

Pan-European services

Pan-European services are important means of supporting mobility in the internal market and European citizenship. Various types of pan-European service are already in place. Examples include EURES, the European employment services portal, and PLOTEUS the portal on learning opportunities in Europe. However, the provision of common pan-European services can be a sensitive issue. For example, when services have been developed from the Member State’s national perspective and tradition (e.g. language) alone, access to them for citizens and enterprises from other Member States may be difficult. It is therefore important to make sure that pan-European services take account of the needs of citizens from other Member States and also to establish true cooperation between Member States’ administrations and interoperable infrastructure.

Interoperability

Interoperability means the capacity to inter-link systems, information and ways of working. This kind of interoperability of information systems allows integrated provision of services in a one-stop portal *, no matter how many different administrative systems or bodies are involved. But interoperability is not just a question of linking up computer networks: it also concerns organisational issues, such as interworking with partner organisations which may well have different internal organisation and operating methods. Introduction of pan-European eGovernment services will also inevitably require agreements on common standards and specifications. Most Member States are already addressing this challenge by adopting national “eGovernment interoperability frameworks”, which are being complemented at European level by the development of the European interoperability framework.

Roadmap

The Commission regards the priorities set out above as the roadmap for eGovernment. However, these measures must be backed up by more horizontal action.

HORIZONTAL ACTION

Reinforcing exchanges of good practice

Best practices encompass technological, organisational and training components. They require a long-term commitment on the part of all key players involved. Exchanges of experience and replication of best practices can bring significant cost-savings in moving to broad take-up. They also prepare the ground for future interoperability and interworking between administrations.

Leveraging investment

A range of Community initiatives and programmes are addressing eGovernment. In particular, these include parts of the Sixth Framework RTD Programme, the eTEN and IDA programmes and investment in regional priorities through the Structural Funds. The Commission reports that investment is low compared to the total investment that should be made at European Union level.

Annual spending on ICT in public administration is about EUR 30 billion, of which a growing proportion, currently some EUR 5 billion, is related to eGovernment. The Commission adds that this spending should be accompanied by much larger investment in organisation and human resources. As a result, the total investment needed is likely to run into tens of billions of euros each year. Community support should therefore aim at achieving maximum leverage for the much larger investment at Member State level.

Key terms used in the Act
  • eGovernment: eGovernment seeks to use information and communications technologies to improve the quality and accessibility of public services. It can reduce costs for businesses and administrations alike, and facilitate transactions between administrators and citizens. It also helps to make the public sector more open and transparent and governments more understandable and accountable to citizens.
  • Information and communication technologies (ICT): the term ITC covers a wide range of services, applications, technologies, devices and software, i.e. tools such as telephony and the Internet, distance learning, television, computers, and the networks and software needed to use these technologies, which are revolutionising social, cultural and economic structures by creating new attitudes towards information, knowledge, working life, etc.
  • One-stop portal: a single entry point to the Internet for a specific topic which can be used without any knowledge of how the administrative departments involved in providing the public service are organised.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission, of 25 April 2006, “i2010 eGovernment Action Plan: Accelerating eGovernment in Europe for the Benefit of All” [COM(2006) 173 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This Action Plan, adopted in 2006, is designed to make public services more modern and efficient and to target the needs of the population more precisely. It proposes a series of priorities and a roadmap to speed up the deployment of eGovernment in Europe. Five priority areas are identified:

  • Access for all;
  • Increased efficiency;
  • High-impact eGovernment services;
  • Putting key enablers in place;
  • Increased participation in democratic decision-making.

Independent Report of 27 June 2005: “eGovernment in the Member States of the European Union” (GOPA-Cartermill).

The report is a compilation of the factsheets produced by the eGovernment Observatory. These factsheets provide a picture of the situation and progress of eGovernment in each Member State.

Fifth annual study of e-Government

According to a 2005 survey carried out for the Commission, more than 90% of public service providers now have a website, and 40% of basic public services are totally interactive. The survey highlights the considerable progress made in developing and providing on-line public services throughout the EU. The gap between the new Member States and the EU-15 States in terms of service provision has narrowed significantly, and could close very quickly. The challenge now is to ensure that on-line public services are used as widely and as often as possible so as to simplify the administrative procedures for businesses and citizens alike.

Fourth annual study of e-Government

According to the results of an extensive survey published in January 2004 [PDF ], public administrations which combine the use of ICT to deliver new services with reorganisation of the way they work obtain higher approval ratings from businesses and citizens.
This large-scale survey, funded as part of the evaluation of the eEurope action plan, was conducted in every EU Member State, looking at a common list of 20 basic public services which should be available on line under the action plan. The survey included 29 in-depth case studies of “best practice”, for example substantial savings in enrolment in higher education in Finland and the United Kingdom.

The Commission concluded that the better results are due to the fact that reorganisation plus use of ICT in public administrations reduces costs, increases productivity and provides flexibility and simpler organisational structures. The practical results for the public and for businesses are fewer visits to administrations, together with faster, cheaper, more accessible and more efficient services, but also fewer errors, easier to use systems and greater user control.

Another Normative about eGovernment

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic

Internal market > Businesses in the internal market > Public procurement

eGovernment

eEurope 2005 To harness the full potential of eGovernment, it is necessary to identify the obstacles which are slowing down the rate at which on-line public services are being made available in the Member States and to propose action to speed up the deployment of eGovernment. This is the objective of the Commission Communication described below.

Communication of 26 September 2003 from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “The Role of eGovernment for Europe’s future” [COM(2003) 567 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

“eGovernment” * means the use of information and communication technologies * (ICT) in public administrations combined with organisational changes and new skills. The objective is to improve public services, democratic processes and public policies.

STATE OF PLAY

Progress has been made in every Member State in bringing public services online, with average online availability growing from 45% to 65% between October 2001 and October 2002.

In terms of services to citizens, eGovernment has already shown the advantages which it can bring in citizens’ everyday lives. It not only makes it easier to obtain information from public administrations but also greatly facilitates formalities for members of the public and cuts waiting times. Beyond that, eGovernment fosters direct communication between citizens and policy-makers. Through online forums, virtual discussion rooms and electronic voting, citizens can directly question decision-makers and express their views on public policy. Today public internet access points * are gradually becoming the norm for services to citizens.

As regards services to businesses, provision of higher quality electronic services by public administrations leads to increased productivity and competitiveness, by reducing the cost of the public service itself as well as transaction costs to businesses (time and effort). For example, electronic customs and VAT handling and electronic tax declarations offer the advantage of speeding up procedures at the same time as improving quality of service. The sophistication of online services, in terms of supporting interactivity and transactions, has advanced more in the business sector than in services to citizens.

In the case of services between administrations, eGovernment can provide ways to strengthen cooperation between national, regional and local government and Community institutions. Regional and local administrations are often at the forefront of the delivery of on-line public services. Development of eGovernment at regional and local level has also become a priority of the Structural Funds, representing about 30% of Information Society expenditure in Objective 1 regions and 20% in Objective 2 regions.

OBSTACLES TO GENERAL AVAILABILITY OF eGOVERNMENT: PRIORITY ISSUES

The Commission has identified a number of priority issues which have to be addressed in order to remove the obstacles to general availability of eGovernment.

Inclusive access

Access for all to online public services is a sine qua non for wide use of eGovernment. This point is all the more important considering the very real risk of a “digital divide” – due to unequal access to information and computer technologies. In this context, education and training are essential to acquire the digital literacy necessary in order to reap the full benefit of the services offered by eGovernment. Digital literacy is one of the priorities of the eLearning programme. Greater access to services also implies stepping up the multi-platform approach (allowing access to services through a range of devices, from PCs and digital TV to mobile terminals or public internet access points).

User confidence

Public services can be offered on line only in an environment guaranteeing fully secure access for citizens. With this in view, maximum protection of personal data and security of digital transactions and communications are primary issues. To this end, the use of privacy enhancing technologies in eGovernment should be promoted, inter alia through the relevant Community programmes. More generally, network and information security, the fight against cybercrime and dependability are prerequisites for a properly-functioning Information Society and, consequently, are core policy issues within the European Union.

Public procurement

Public procurement is one area where use of ICT can be particularly advantageous. Traditional public procurement operations are complex, time-consuming and resource-intensive. Use of ICT in public procurement can therefore improve efficiency, quality and value for money in public purchases. Until now the absence of clear Community rules has been an obstacle to the take-up of electronic public procurement in Europe. The adoption of the new package of legislation on public procurement, which includes specific rules on electronic public procurement, should be a turning point for the spread of electronic public procurement in Europe.

Pan-European services

Pan-European services are important means of supporting mobility in the internal market and European citizenship. Various types of pan-European service are already in place. Examples include EURES, the European employment services portal, and PLOTEUS the portal on learning opportunities in Europe. However, the provision of common pan-European services can be a sensitive issue. For example, when services have been developed from the Member State’s national perspective and tradition (e.g. language) alone, access to them for citizens and enterprises from other Member States may be difficult. It is therefore important to make sure that pan-European services take account of the needs of citizens from other Member States and also to establish true cooperation between Member States’ administrations and interoperable infrastructure.

Interoperability

Interoperability means the capacity to inter-link systems, information and ways of working. This kind of interoperability of information systems allows integrated provision of services in a one-stop portal *, no matter how many different administrative systems or bodies are involved. But interoperability is not just a question of linking up computer networks: it also concerns organisational issues, such as interworking with partner organisations which may well have different internal organisation and operating methods. Introduction of pan-European eGovernment services will also inevitably require agreements on common standards and specifications. Most Member States are already addressing this challenge by adopting national “eGovernment interoperability frameworks”, which are being complemented at European level by the development of the European interoperability framework.

Roadmap

The Commission regards the priorities set out above as the roadmap for eGovernment. However, these measures must be backed up by more horizontal action.

HORIZONTAL ACTION

Reinforcing exchanges of good practice

Best practices encompass technological, organisational and training components. They require a long-term commitment on the part of all key players involved. Exchanges of experience and replication of best practices can bring significant cost-savings in moving to broad take-up. They also prepare the ground for future interoperability and interworking between administrations.

Leveraging investment

A range of Community initiatives and programmes are addressing eGovernment. In particular, these include parts of the Sixth Framework RTD Programme, the eTEN and IDA programmes and investment in regional priorities through the Structural Funds. The Commission reports that investment is low compared to the total investment that should be made at European Union level.

Annual spending on ICT in public administration is about EUR 30 billion, of which a growing proportion, currently some EUR 5 billion, is related to eGovernment. The Commission adds that this spending should be accompanied by much larger investment in organisation and human resources. As a result, the total investment needed is likely to run into tens of billions of euros each year. Community support should therefore aim at achieving maximum leverage for the much larger investment at Member State level.

Key terms used in the Act
  • eGovernment: eGovernment seeks to use information and communications technologies to improve the quality and accessibility of public services. It can reduce costs for businesses and administrations alike, and facilitate transactions between administrators and citizens. It also helps to make the public sector more open and transparent and governments more understandable and accountable to citizens.
  • Information and communication technologies (ICT): the term ITC covers a wide range of services, applications, technologies, devices and software, i.e. tools such as telephony and the Internet, distance learning, television, computers, and the networks and software needed to use these technologies, which are revolutionising social, cultural and economic structures by creating new attitudes towards information, knowledge, working life, etc.
  • One-stop portal: a single entry point to the Internet for a specific topic which can be used without any knowledge of how the administrative departments involved in providing the public service are organised.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission, of 25 April 2006, “i2010 eGovernment Action Plan: Accelerating eGovernment in Europe for the Benefit of All” [COM(2006) 173 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This Action Plan, adopted in 2006, is designed to make public services more modern and efficient and to target the needs of the population more precisely. It proposes a series of priorities and a roadmap to speed up the deployment of eGovernment in Europe. Five priority areas are identified:

  • Access for all;
  • Increased efficiency;
  • High-impact eGovernment services;
  • Putting key enablers in place;
  • Increased participation in democratic decision-making.

Independent Report of 27 June 2005: “eGovernment in the Member States of the European Union” (GOPA-Cartermill).

The report is a compilation of the factsheets produced by the eGovernment Observatory. These factsheets provide a picture of the situation and progress of eGovernment in each Member State.

Fifth annual study of e-Government

According to a 2005 survey carried out for the Commission, more than 90% of public service providers now have a website, and 40% of basic public services are totally interactive. The survey highlights the considerable progress made in developing and providing on-line public services throughout the EU. The gap between the new Member States and the EU-15 States in terms of service provision has narrowed significantly, and could close very quickly. The challenge now is to ensure that on-line public services are used as widely and as often as possible so as to simplify the administrative procedures for businesses and citizens alike.

Fourth annual study of e-Government

According to the results of an extensive survey published in January 2004 [PDF ], public administrations which combine the use of ICT to deliver new services with reorganisation of the way they work obtain higher approval ratings from businesses and citizens.
This large-scale survey, funded as part of the evaluation of the eEurope action plan, was conducted in every EU Member State, looking at a common list of 20 basic public services which should be available on line under the action plan. The survey included 29 in-depth case studies of “best practice”, for example substantial savings in enrolment in higher education in Finland and the United Kingdom.

The Commission concluded that the better results are due to the fact that reorganisation plus use of ICT in public administrations reduces costs, increases productivity and provides flexibility and simpler organisational structures. The practical results for the public and for businesses are fewer visits to administrations, together with faster, cheaper, more accessible and more efficient services, but also fewer errors, easier to use systems and greater user control.

Broadband Internet access: the territorial divide

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Broadband Internet access: the territorial divide

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Broadband Internet access: the territorial divide

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Internet Online activities and ICT standards

Broadband Internet access: the territorial divide

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 20 March 2006: Bridging the Broadband Gap [COM(2006) 129 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The importance of broadband

Broadband internet connections are a prerequisite for the information society, growth and jobs throughout the European economy. Broadband could potentially provide:

  • new applications and improvements to existing ones;
  • new services and new investment and job opportunities;
  • greater productivity for many existing processes.

Broadband may also have a considerable impact on everyday life, particular as regards telemedicine and eHealth applications, eGovernment, education and rural development. Broadband could also enable:

  • quicker access to healthcare services through the provision of eHealth applications, and simpler hospital management and provision for skills shortages;
  • greater capability of eGovernment services and better interaction between governments, easing access to government for citizens and businesses;
  • access to new forms of educational content, including real-time education for students from qualified teachers in areas where that type of tuition may not be available;
  • development of the rural economy by facilitating, for instance, e-business, and better contact between farms and national and international markets.

Digital territorial divide

Broadband connections have increased sharply in number, almost doubling in the period 2004-05. By the end of 2005, the broadband penetration rate was estimated to be 11.5% in terms of population, i.e. roughly 20% of households, corresponding to roughly 53 million connections in the EU25.

Although broadband is progressing fast, there is still a large gap between urban and rural areas. Broadband access in the EU’s more remote and rural regions is limited because of the high costs associated with low population density and remoteness. Commercial incentives to invest in broadband deployment in these areas often turn out to be insufficient.

The need for public intervention

Public intervention at all levels could help improve broadband coverage in under-served areas. That said, the risks associated with public intervention – particularly the risk of distorting competition – should be taken into account.

Local and regional authorities are best placed to plan a broadband project. They are the most familiar with local needs and are able to determine the optimum technology mix for the local topography.

AVAILABLE INSTRUMENTS AND ACTIONS

Several instruments could be deployed at EU level to improve the availability of broadband within the Union. This Commission Communication presents actions targeted at supporting the spread of broadband for each of these instruments.

Implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications

The main aim of the regulatory framework for electronic communications is to stimulate competition in the sector. Greater competition will provide a greater incentive for the broadband market to develop.

Action 1:

  • full implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications with a view to enhancing open access and facilitating competitive access to rural areas;
  • a more coordinated EU radio spectrum policy to accompany the process of broadband development (Commission and Member States).

State funding

Public intervention may accelerate broadband deployment in the less profitable areas, while ensuring that competition is preserved.

Action 2:

  • encouraging public intervention in the forms of loans and grants in under-served areas;
  • exploring the possibility of fiscal incentives for subscribers (Member States).

State aid and competition policy

In order to avoid any distortion of competition through public intervention, Community state aid law provides for an appropriate legal instrument. There have already been a number of Commission decisions regarding publicly funded broadband projects in rural and remote areas.

Action 3:

  • providing guidance on state aid rules applicable to broadband projects (Commission).

EU funding: Structural Funds and Rural Development Fund

Structural Funds and the Rural Development Fund contribute to the development of regional and rural areas that are lagging behind. Structural Funds aim at ensuring availability of ICT infrastructure where the market fails to provide it at an affordable cost and to an adequate level. The new Rural Development Fund will also focus on investment in human resources and innovation, including the take-up of ICTs in rural areas.

Action 4:

  • a conference in the first half of 2007 to bring together the ICTs and rural constituencies. The aim of this conference will be to raise awareness of the potential of ICTs for rural development and better understand rural users’ requirements (Commission).

Demand aggregation and procurement

Fluctuating demand inhibits commercial investment. With a view to reducing this uncertainty, local authorities are well placed to organise a registration system and assess the local demand which can eventually be brought to the market.

Action 5:

  • launching a website that will stimulate the exchange of best practices and facilitate demand aggregation (Commission).

Development of modern online public services

Development of modern online public services is a powerful instrument to further drive broadband demand.

Action 6:

  • implementing policies at Member State and regional level to provide connectivity for public administrations, schools and health centres;
  • proper consideration of the stimulation effect of e-government services in disadvantaged regions in preparing the Action Plan for e-government in 2006.

Background

This Communication acts upon one of the priorities of i2010 initiative, i.e. to create an inclusive information society, particularly by improving the geographical coverage of high-speed Internet in under-served areas.

The geographical digital divide was a problem highlighted in the eEurope 2005 action plan. This action plan emphasised the role that Structural Funds can play in improving broadband coverage in disadvantaged regions.

 

I2010 Intelligent Car Initiative

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i2010 Intelligent Car Initiative

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about i2010 Intelligent Car Initiative

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Motor vehicles > Technical implications of road safety

i2010 Intelligent Car Initiative (third eSafety communication)

Document or Iniciative

Commission communication of 15 February 2006 on the Intelligent Car Initiative – “Raising Awareness of ICT for Smarter, Safer and Cleaner Vehicles” [COM(2006) 59 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The increased use of road transport brings with it a number of worrying problems: congestion of road networks and urban areas, harmful effects on the environment and public health, waste of energy and, above all, injuries, material damage and fatal accidents. The Intelligent Car Initiative is intended to help resolve these road traffic problems.

POTENTIAL OF INTELLIGENT CARS

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in building intelligent cars can contribute towards:

  • increasing road safety;
  • making transport systems more efficient;
  • using fuel more efficiently;
  • helping drivers to prevent or avoid accidents;
  • providing drivers with real-time information about the road network in order to avoid congestion;
  • enabling drivers to optimise journeys.

More specifically, studies have shown that the use of ICT could enable the number of accidents in the European Union (EU) to be reduced considerably. For example, 1 500 accidents a year could be avoided if 0.6 % of vehicles were equipped with systems helping them to stay in lane or to overtake.

JUSTIFICATION FOR EUROPEAN ACTION

Despite their potential, most intelligent systems are not yet on the market. The vehicles equipped with new-generation systems are mainly top-of-the-range cars representing only a small percentage of the market.

The large-scale deployment of active safety systems (ABS, adaptive cruise control, etc.), has sometimes faced numerous obstacles, including legal barriers, the high cost of intelligent systems and the lack of public information. Moreover, the extremely competitive situation in the automotive sector creates conditions which are unfavourable to the development of these systems.

A comprehensive approach at EU level will enable harmonised solutions to be found. This will involve removing obstacles to market deployment, stimulating product demand and building consensus among key players. Moreover, pollution, road safety and congestion are problems common to all the Member States. Action at European level is therefore all the more appropriate.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INITIATIVE

Coordination of effort

The first objective of the initiative is to support and coordinate the work of relevant stakeholders, citizens, Member States and the industry in order to speed up the development and application of intelligent systems.

In this context, the eSafety Forum has a vital role to play. Set up in 2003, the Forum aims to remove the obstacles preventing intelligent vehicle systems from entering the market.

In addition to the Forum’s work, the initiatives which will be taken in support of this first objective also include:

  • following up and reporting on the actions proposed in the second eSafety communication “Bringing eCall to Citizens”. The follow-up will relate mainly to the signature of the memorandum of understanding on the eCall system by Member States, implementation of the single emergency numbers 112 and E112, and upgrading the PSAPs (Public Service Answering Points);
  • presenting a Commission recommendation on the design and safe use of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI);
  • investigating the possibility of using incentive schemes at national level to stimulate the purchase of vehicles equipped with safety functions;
  • examining spectrum needs in the context of vehicle-to-vehicle communication and assessing the implications of the Intelligent Car Initiative for spectrum use;
  • following up the recommendation on the establishment of a European Code of Practice for the development and testing of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

Supporting research and development (R&D) work

The long-term objectives of the Intelligent Car Initiative form part of the information and communication technologies priority of the 7th R&D Framework Programme.

To support research and development in the sphere of smarter, cleaner and safer vehicles, the Commission proposes the following action:

  • targeting research at the needs of the next generation of driver assistance systems, (in particular enhanced performance, reliability, security and reduced fuel consumption) and undertaking additional research work on traffic and traveller information services;
  • implementing, through the 7th R&D Framework Programme, an assessment programme based on field operational tests to assess in real environments the impact of intelligent systems on driver behaviour and driving dynamics;
  • setting up an independent conformance testing and performance assessment programme for road safety and efficiency systems based on ICT.

Awareness

The third objective of the Intelligent Car Initiative is to promote the dissemination of information to a wide audience in order to make drivers and policymakers aware of the potential of intelligent vehicle systems. This greater awareness will help to stimulate user demand and to promote socio-economic acceptance.

Within this awareness component, the Commission proposes the following action:

  • holding regular i2010 Intelligent Car Initiative events;
  • producing television series or documentaries on ICT-based systems and launching a comprehensive benchmarking study on ongoing activities in promoting intelligent vehicle systems in the Member States and in the industry;
  • establishing an eSafety Communication Platform with the aim of improving, coordinating and harmonising the end-user communication of the various stakeholders;
  • supporting and promoting stakeholders’ initiatives which pursue the objectives of the Intelligent Car Initiative.

Background

The Intelligent Car Initiative is part of the EU’s i2010 strategy aimed at generally stimulating the development of the digital economy in Europe. It also continues to build on the foundations laid in the 2004 White Paper on transport policy challenges between now and 2010, which seeks, among other things, to reduce by half the number of road fatalities by 2010.

Related Acts

Communication of 17 September 2007 from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: “Towards Europe-wide Safer, Cleaner and Efficient Mobility: The First Intelligent Car Report” [COM(2007) 541 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Considerable progress has already been achieved with the Intelligent Car Initiative. In view of the potential benefits that intelligent vehicle systems offer for road safety and the environment, the European Commission proposes new measures to introduce safer, cleaner and smarter vehicles to the market more quickly. It focuses, for instance, on the full-scale roll-out of the “eCall” system, and envisages the adoption, if necessary, of regulatory measures on the availability of electronic stability control (ESC) systems and systems for accident avoidance (ADAS). Provided they comply with Community legislation on taxes and State aid, incentives might also help towards the deployment of intelligent vehicle systems. The Commission also points to the importance of raising consumer awareness in order to create demand for smart vehicles.

Commission communication of 14 September 2005: “2nd eSafety communication – “Bringing eCall to citizens” [COM(2005) 431 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

This communication on the roll-out of the eCall system is the second eSafety communication. eCall is a pan-European in-vehicle emergency call system which uses the European emergency number 112 in the event of an accident.
In this communication, the Commission calls on national and regional authorities to carry out the actions and investments necessary for the functioning of eCall. The document also presents the roadmap agreed between the stakeholders to ensure the complete roll-out of the system in 2009.

Commission communication of 15 September 2003: “Information and Communications Technologies for Safe and Intelligent Vehicles” [COM(2003) 542 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In this first eSafety communication, the Commission proposes the systematic use of ICT to design safer and smarter vehicles. For this, it proposes three categories of action: promoting intelligent vehicle safety systems, adapting the regulatory and standardisation provisions, and removing the societal and business obstacles.

Commission communication of 2 June 2003: “European Road Safety Action Programme – Halving the number of road accident victims in the European Union by 2010: A shared responsibility” [COM(2003) 311 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The ultimate objective of the Road Safety Action Programme (2003-2010) is to reduce by at least 50 % the number of people killed on the roads by 2010. For this, the programme proposes a range of measures such as stepping up road checks, deploying new road safety technologies, improving road infrastructure, and measures to improve the behaviour of road users.

Commission White Paper of 12 September 2001: “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” [COM(2001) 370 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

This White Paper seeks to develop a modern and sustainable transport system for 2010.

Productivity: The Key to Competitiveness of European Economies and Enterprises

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Productivity: The Key to Competitiveness of European Economies and Enterprises

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Productivity: The Key to Competitiveness of European Economies and Enterprises

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enterprise > Industry

Productivity: The Key to Competitiveness of European Economies and Enterprises

To alert policy makers to the recent under-performance of the European Union in labour productivity growth, its causes and its implications for the goals set by the European Council in Lisbon in 2000. The Communication is limited to analysis of the field of new technologies and innovation and to related issues.

2) Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 21 May 2002 on Productivity: The Key to Competitiveness of European Economies and Enterprises [COM (2002) 262 final – not published in the Official Journal].

3) Summary

Definition

In formal terms, labour productivity is the quantity of labour required to produce a unit of a specific product. In the macroeconomic context, labour productivity is measured as a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of employed population.

Productivity growth depends on the quality of physical capital, improvements in the skills of the labour force, technological advances and new ways of organising. Productivity growth is the principal source of economic growth.

Background

The Communication is part of the strategy adopted by the Lisbon European Council in 2000, the objective of which is to make the EU “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion”. Current trends in EU productivity growth are not, at the moment, sufficient to attain the economic, social and environmental objectives set in Lisbon in the remaining years to 2010.

The recent slowdown in productivity growth in the EU will, logically, weaken European competitiveness. Enterprises will be competitive only when they can achieve sustainable growth in labour and total factor productivity that permit them to beat the costs per unit of output, and the non-cost characteristics, of other firms.

In addition, deceleration in productivity hampers improvements to the standard of living.

Productivity growth is these days significantly determined by investment in information and communication technologies (ICT).

State of play

During the latter half of the 1990s, growth in labour productivity in the European Union slowed down (from an average of 1.9 % in the first half of the decade to 1.2 % in the period 1995-2001), whilst employment growth picked up considerably (from a decline of 0.6 % in the first half of the decade to 1.2 % in the period 1995-2001). Employment expanded by 1.8% in 2000 despite the slowdown in the second half of the year.

There are marked differences between the Member States. Austria, Greece and Ireland have recorded constant productivity growth since 1990 at a level close to that of the United States. This is probably a reflection of the opportunity taken by these countries to benefit from the Internal Market following their accession to the EU.

Role of ICT

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are a core element of the knowledge society and an important complement to research and development (R&D). It appears symptomatic that those Member States recording rising productivity levels close to those of the United States are the ones where the use of ICT is pervasive. In other words, productivity gains are closely related to the use and diffusion of ICT. The productivity gap between the EU and the United States is in part a reflection of the lower levels of ICT spending here.

The importance of ICT derives from better processing of information and, thus, a reduction of the co-ordination costs which are unavoidable in a decentralised economy: most improvements have been made in the organisation of production, distribution and inventory management.

European manufacturing in recent years

In contrast to previous decades, the 1990s saw lower productivity growth in manufacturing in the EU compared with that in the United States.

However, the trend for capital-intensive industries (textile fibres, pulp and paper, man-made fibres, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, etc.) has been positive.

In technology-driven industries (pharmaceuticals, chemical products, office machinery and computers, electronic and TV and radio transmitters, medical equipment, etc.), growth over the same period has also been notable.

Nevertheless, a comparison of EU figures with those of the United States shows that technology-driven industries represented around 35% of manufacturing value added in the United States compared to around 24% in the EU. These figures are symptomatic of the relatively low position of ICT compared with other industries within the EU.

Service sector in recent years

The problem of below average productivity growth which has been seen in all economic sectors over recent years is particularly pronounced in the service sector. However, it is difficult to measure production with any precision in this sector in an economic phase where changes in technology are extremely rapid. Even if the sector’s share in the EU’s GDP is rising, the implicit employment growth has not materialised sufficiently in the EU to improve the employment situation.

With regard to the importance of the service sector, the EU compares unfavourably with the United States. Given that the service sector is an important user of ICT, this is particularly indicative of the EU’s slow progress in the area of new technologies.

In the service sector there are marked differences in productivity. Member States which liberalised and deregulated service sectors very early, like the United Kingdom and Finland, are likely to have had faster productivity growth than other Member States.

Human capital

A well-trained labour force is the key to the economy and productivity. Its quality is based on education, training and lifelong learning. However, recent years have seen a modest share of ICT knowledge amongst the working population, which has surely accentuated the problems of rapid ICT diffusion across the Member States.

At the same time, the demand for labour in the EU in recent years has shifted away from traditional skills towards modern and high-skilled human capital labour and this reflects changes in the content of jobs themselves. However, the increase in demand for more skilled labour is faster than improvements in the educational attainment of those entering the labour market.

Paradoxically, following the burst of the “dot.com bubble”, it appears that the problem of skill imbalances may lose some of its urgency. However, given the speed of the on-going technological transformation, the skill intensity of our economies will increase. A network of coherent policies covering improvements in education, science, training, mobility, etc. will therefore be crucial in ensuring that the emerging demand for skills is met on a sustainable basis.

Enterprise policy and competition policy

The EC Treaty recognises the complementary nature of enterprise and competition policies. Thus the Lisbon goal calls for policies that establish an environment conducive to enterprise growth and innovation while ensuring that the market players are subject to uniform rules. On the one hand, competition induces firms to search for efficiency-enhancing solutions that lead to product and process innovation. On the other hand, enterprise policy corrects market failures and enables more firms to engage in market transactions while increasing their innovative potential.

Despite this complementary nature, attention should be paid to the different emphases of enterprise policy and competition policy. It is essential that a balanced approach be applied to take into account the different characteristics of the two policies:

  • appropriate delineation of the reference market with regard to the product or service and the geographic area;
  • co-operation between firms in the field of innovation;
  • business restructuring and mergers;
  • taking into account of the impact of technological development and innovation on future competitive conditions;
  • assessment of the legitimacy of certain State aid.

Enterprise policy and sustainable development

Even if European industry contributes economically and socially to sustainable development by creating jobs, inevitably it exerts pressures on the environment. Nevertheless, it is possible to combine economic growth with a reduction in environmental pollution. This has been the case in Europe for the manufacturing industry’s energy consumption and emissions of acidifying gases, ozone-depleting gases and greenhouse gases.

Despite the undeniable costs for enterprises of implementing the environmental policy, it can also enhance competitiveness and economic growth by improving efficiency in production and creating new markets.

Conclusions

Economic growth will increase only if productivity rises. Improvements in enterprise productivity depend heavily on progress in ICT and innovation, and a labour force better adapted to the needs of industry.

4) Implementing Measures

5) Follow-Up Work

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a(2007-2013) [COM(2005) 121 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

I2010: Information Society and the media working towards growth and jobs

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i2010: Information Society and the media working towards growth and jobs

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about i2010: Information Society and the media working towards growth and jobs

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Digital Strategy i2010 Strategy eEurope Action Plan Digital Strategy Programmes

i2010: Information Society and the media working towards growth and jobs

i2010 is the European Commission’s new strategic framework laying out broad policy guidelines for the information society and the media. The purpose of this new, integrated policy is to encourage knowledge and innovation with a view to boosting growth and creating more better-quality jobs. It forms part of the revised Lisbon Strategy.

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 1 June 2005 to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment” [COM(2005) 229 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Through i2010 the Commission is taking an integrated approach to the information society and to audio-visual media policies in the European Union. It aims to coordinate the actions undertaken by Member States to facilitate digital convergence and to respond to the challenges associated with the information society. In developing this strategy, the Commission has drawn on wide stakeholder consultation concerning previous initiatives and instruments such as and the Communication on the eEurope and the Communication on the future of European regulatory audio-visual policy.

The Commission proposes three priorities for Europe’s information society and media policy to be achieved by 2010: creating a Single European Information Space; promoting innovation and investment in research into information and communication technologies (ICT); achieving an inclusive European information and media society.

A Single European Information Space

In order to foster an open and competitive internal market for the information society and the media, the first objective of i2010 is to establish a Single European Information Space offering affordable and secure high-bandwidth communications, rich and diverse content and digital services. The Commission aims to achieve four main objectives:

  • to increase the speed of broadband services in Europe;
  • to encourage new services and on-line content;
  • to promote devices and platforms that “talk to one another”; and
  • to make the Internet safer from fraudsters, harmful content and technology failures.

In order to create the Single European Information Space the Commission intends to:

  • review the regulatory framework for electronic communications; this includes defining a strategy for efficient spectrum management;
  • create a consistent internal market framework for information society and media services by:
    • modernising the legal framework for audio-visual services, starting by revising the Television Without Frontiers Directive (2005);
    • making any necessary adaptations to the Community acquis affecting information society and media services (2007);
    • promoting fast and efficient implementation of the existing and updated acquis.
  • continue to support the creation and circulation of European content such as the eLearning and eContentplus programmes and their successors;
  • define and implement a strategy for a secure European Information Society, mainly by raising awareness of the need for self-protection, being vigilant and monitoring threats, and responding rapidly and effectively to attacks and system failures;
  • identify and promote targeted actions on interoperability, particularly digital rights management.

Innovation and investment in research

In order to boost innovation and investment into ICT research, the Commission wants to encourage world-class performance in research and innovation in ICT by closing the gap with Europe’s leading competitors by:

  • increasing Community ICT research support by 80% by 2010 and inviting Member States to do the same;
  • prioritising the key technology pillars of the 7th Framework Programme for research and technological development (FPRD), such as technologies for knowledge, content and creativity, advanced and open communication networks, secure and dependable software, embedded systems and nanoelectronics;
  • launching research and deployment initiatives to overcome key bottlenecks such as interoperability, security and reliability, and the management of identity and rights, which require both technological and organisational solutions;
  • defining complementary measures to encourage private investment in ICT research and innovation (2006);
  • making specific proposals on an “information society for all” in the Community Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion for the period 2007-13;
  • defining e-commerce policies aimed at removing technological, organisational and legal barriers to ICT adoption with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
  • developing tools to support new patterns of work that enhance innovation in enterprises and adaptation to new skill needs.

Inclusion, better public services and quality of life

The Commission wishes to boost social, economic and territorial cohesion by establishing an inclusive European information society. It intends to promote growth and jobs in a manner that is consistent with sustainable development and that prioritises better public services and quality of life. To achieve its aim of an inclusive information society, offering high-quality public services and improving quality of life, the Commission plans to:

  • issue policy guidance on e-accessibility and broadband coverage to make ICT systems easier to use for a larger number of people (2005);
  • propose a European initiative on e-inclusion, addressing issues such as equal opportunities, ICT skills and regional divides (2008);
  • adopt an Action Plan on eGovernment as well as strategic guidelines to encourage the public services to use ICTs. It will launch demo projects to test, at an operational scale, technological, legal and organisational solutions to bringing public services on-line;
  • launch three flagship ICT initiatives to improve quality of life: caring for people in an ageing society, safer and cleaner transport (and, in particular, the “intelligent car”) and digital libraries to encourage cultural diversity.

Governance

The Commission intends to develop proposals to update the regulatory frameworks for electronic communications, and information society and media services. It also proposes using the Community’s financial instruments to stimulate investment in strategic research and to overcome bottlenecks obstructing ICT innovation. Lastly, it aims to support policies to address inclusion and quality of life.

Member States, through the National Reform Programmes, have committed themselves to adopting information society priorities in line with the Integrated Guidelines for growth and jobs by mid?October 2005. They aim to:

  • ensure rapid and thorough transposition of the new regulatory frameworks affecting digital convergence with an emphasis on open and competitive markets;
  • increase the share of ICT research in national spending to develop modern, interoperable ICT-enabled public services;
  • use investment to encourage innovation in the ICT sector;
  • adopt ambitious targets for developing the information society at national level.

Member States have reported on their achievements within the framework defined by the review of the Lisbon Strategy.

The Commission will also ask other stakeholders to take part in dialogue in support of developing the information society. The Commission will target industrial partners in particular to encourage them to raise investments in research and new technologies in this field.

To ensure that all stakeholders are involved, the Commission proposes using the open method of communication, which includes an exchange of good practices and annual implementation reports in respect of the Lisbon objectives.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Europe’s Digital Competitiveness Report: main achievements of the i2010 strategy 2005-2009 [COM(2009) 390 final – Not published in the Official Journal]

This Communication reports on the i2010 strategy implemented between 2005 and 2009. It concludes that ICT action during the last four years has modernised Europe both from an economic and a social point of view, and has contributed to the following results:

  • the number of Europeans online has increased dramatically, particularly with regard to disadvantaged groups;
  • Europe is now the world leader in broadband internet;
  • broadband connections have increased;
  • Europe is in first place with regard to mobile phones;
  • supply and use of online services has increased sharply;
  • progress has been made in the ICT sector in micro-electronics, nano-electronics, health care and road safety;
  • ICT policies have gradually been mainstreamed.

Nevertheless, the European Union still lags behind in the area of technological research and development if its results are compared with those of the United States, Japan or South Korea. In order to maintain its competitiveness, it is therefore important that Europe equips itself with a new digital agenda. To this end, the Commission has planned to launch an online public consultation on some key areas for the EU’s future ICT and media policies.

Communication of 17 April 2008 from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Preparing Europe’s digital future – i2010 Mid-Term Review [COM(2008) 199 final – not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission notes the strong growth of broadband in Europe.Over half of all European (250 million people) use the internet on a regular basis. Nearly 40 million new users were registered in 2007. Public services, including 96% of Europe’s schools and 57% of its doctors, are using broadband connections more and more. 77% of all businesses had a broadband connection. Broadband is becoming the standard mode of connectivity.
Apart from noting the strong growth in broadband use across the EU, however, the report puts equal emphasis on concrete proposals for a reorientation of the i2010 initiative for the 2008-10 period. The aim is to promote competitiveness in the more advanced countries whilst at the same time closing the gaps between Member States. More specifically, the Commission wants to kickstart joint technology initiatives to encourage ICT research. 2008 will see the publication of a guide to the rights and obligations of the users of digital technology in the EU in order to promote use of new on?line technology and lessen the digital divide between Member States. The Commission also plans to develop pan?European public services such as the electronic identity or electronic signature initiatives.

Communication of 30 March 2007 from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: i2010 – Annual Information Society Report 2007 [COM(2007) 146 final – not published in the Official Journal].

In this second report the Commission sets out a number of recommendations and actions for 2007 and 2008 including:

  • a review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications;
  • continuing the policy of innovation in ICT with the Joint Technology Initiatives, EU standardisation policy and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP);
  • inclusion, the ongoing improvement of public services and quality of life (e?accessibility, digital literacy, eGovernment, intelligent car, energy efficiency).

In preparation for a mid-term review in 2008, the report outlines a set of preparatory measures:

  • identifying future trends, in particular in through the options offered by the new internet, in cooperation with the i2010 High Level Group;
  • launching a public consultation involving all stakeholders;
  • addressing the main issues for the mid-term review at a high level i2010 event in 2008.

The outcome of these discussions will be fed into the 2008 European Spring Council, which is to address the issues relating to the next generation internet.

Another Normative about i2010: Information Society and the media working towards growth and jobs

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic

Employment and social policy > Job creation measures

i2010: Information Society and the media working towards growth and jobs

i2010 is the European Commission’s new strategic framework laying out broad policy guidelines for the information society and the media. The purpose of this new, integrated policy is to encourage knowledge and innovation with a view to boosting growth and creating more better-quality jobs. It forms part of the revised Lisbon Strategy.

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 1 June 2005 to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment” [COM(2005) 229 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Through i2010 the Commission is taking an integrated approach to the information society and to audio-visual media policies in the European Union. It aims to coordinate the actions undertaken by Member States to facilitate digital convergence and to respond to the challenges associated with the information society. In developing this strategy, the Commission has drawn on wide stakeholder consultation concerning previous initiatives and instruments such as and the Communication on the eEurope and the Communication on the future of European regulatory audio-visual policy.

The Commission proposes three priorities for Europe’s information society and media policy to be achieved by 2010: creating a Single European Information Space; promoting innovation and investment in research into information and communication technologies (ICT); achieving an inclusive European information and media society.

A Single European Information Space

In order to foster an open and competitive internal market for the information society and the media, the first objective of i2010 is to establish a Single European Information Space offering affordable and secure high-bandwidth communications, rich and diverse content and digital services. The Commission aims to achieve four main objectives:

  • to increase the speed of broadband services in Europe;
  • to encourage new services and on-line content;
  • to promote devices and platforms that “talk to one another”; and
  • to make the Internet safer from fraudsters, harmful content and technology failures.

In order to create the Single European Information Space the Commission intends to:

  • review the regulatory framework for electronic communications; this includes defining a strategy for efficient spectrum management;
  • create a consistent internal market framework for information society and media services by:
    • modernising the legal framework for audio-visual services, starting by revising the Television Without Frontiers Directive (2005);
    • making any necessary adaptations to the Community acquis affecting information society and media services (2007);
    • promoting fast and efficient implementation of the existing and updated acquis.
  • continue to support the creation and circulation of European content such as the eLearning and eContentplus programmes and their successors;
  • define and implement a strategy for a secure European Information Society, mainly by raising awareness of the need for self-protection, being vigilant and monitoring threats, and responding rapidly and effectively to attacks and system failures;
  • identify and promote targeted actions on interoperability, particularly digital rights management.

Innovation and investment in research

In order to boost innovation and investment into ICT research, the Commission wants to encourage world-class performance in research and innovation in ICT by closing the gap with Europe’s leading competitors by:

  • increasing Community ICT research support by 80% by 2010 and inviting Member States to do the same;
  • prioritising the key technology pillars of the 7th Framework Programme for research and technological development (FPRD), such as technologies for knowledge, content and creativity, advanced and open communication networks, secure and dependable software, embedded systems and nanoelectronics;
  • launching research and deployment initiatives to overcome key bottlenecks such as interoperability, security and reliability, and the management of identity and rights, which require both technological and organisational solutions;
  • defining complementary measures to encourage private investment in ICT research and innovation (2006);
  • making specific proposals on an “information society for all” in the Community Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion for the period 2007-13;
  • defining e-commerce policies aimed at removing technological, organisational and legal barriers to ICT adoption with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
  • developing tools to support new patterns of work that enhance innovation in enterprises and adaptation to new skill needs.

Inclusion, better public services and quality of life

The Commission wishes to boost social, economic and territorial cohesion by establishing an inclusive European information society. It intends to promote growth and jobs in a manner that is consistent with sustainable development and that prioritises better public services and quality of life. To achieve its aim of an inclusive information society, offering high-quality public services and improving quality of life, the Commission plans to:

  • issue policy guidance on e-accessibility and broadband coverage to make ICT systems easier to use for a larger number of people (2005);
  • propose a European initiative on e-inclusion, addressing issues such as equal opportunities, ICT skills and regional divides (2008);
  • adopt an Action Plan on eGovernment as well as strategic guidelines to encourage the public services to use ICTs. It will launch demo projects to test, at an operational scale, technological, legal and organisational solutions to bringing public services on-line;
  • launch three flagship ICT initiatives to improve quality of life: caring for people in an ageing society, safer and cleaner transport (and, in particular, the “intelligent car”) and digital libraries to encourage cultural diversity.

Governance

The Commission intends to develop proposals to update the regulatory frameworks for electronic communications, and information society and media services. It also proposes using the Community’s financial instruments to stimulate investment in strategic research and to overcome bottlenecks obstructing ICT innovation. Lastly, it aims to support policies to address inclusion and quality of life.

Member States, through the National Reform Programmes, have committed themselves to adopting information society priorities in line with the Integrated Guidelines for growth and jobs by mid?October 2005. They aim to:

  • ensure rapid and thorough transposition of the new regulatory frameworks affecting digital convergence with an emphasis on open and competitive markets;
  • increase the share of ICT research in national spending to develop modern, interoperable ICT-enabled public services;
  • use investment to encourage innovation in the ICT sector;
  • adopt ambitious targets for developing the information society at national level.

Member States have reported on their achievements within the framework defined by the review of the Lisbon Strategy.

The Commission will also ask other stakeholders to take part in dialogue in support of developing the information society. The Commission will target industrial partners in particular to encourage them to raise investments in research and new technologies in this field.

To ensure that all stakeholders are involved, the Commission proposes using the open method of communication, which includes an exchange of good practices and annual implementation reports in respect of the Lisbon objectives.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Europe’s Digital Competitiveness Report: main achievements of the i2010 strategy 2005-2009 [COM(2009) 390 final – Not published in the Official Journal]

This Communication reports on the i2010 strategy implemented between 2005 and 2009. It concludes that ICT action during the last four years has modernised Europe both from an economic and a social point of view, and has contributed to the following results:

  • the number of Europeans online has increased dramatically, particularly with regard to disadvantaged groups;
  • Europe is now the world leader in broadband internet;
  • broadband connections have increased;
  • Europe is in first place with regard to mobile phones;
  • supply and use of online services has increased sharply;
  • progress has been made in the ICT sector in micro-electronics, nano-electronics, health care and road safety;
  • ICT policies have gradually been mainstreamed.

Nevertheless, the European Union still lags behind in the area of technological research and development if its results are compared with those of the United States, Japan or South Korea. In order to maintain its competitiveness, it is therefore important that Europe equips itself with a new digital agenda. To this end, the Commission has planned to launch an online public consultation on some key areas for the EU’s future ICT and media policies.

Communication of 17 April 2008 from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Preparing Europe’s digital future – i2010 Mid-Term Review [COM(2008) 199 final – not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission notes the strong growth of broadband in Europe.Over half of all European (250 million people) use the internet on a regular basis. Nearly 40 million new users were registered in 2007. Public services, including 96% of Europe’s schools and 57% of its doctors, are using broadband connections more and more. 77% of all businesses had a broadband connection. Broadband is becoming the standard mode of connectivity.
Apart from noting the strong growth in broadband use across the EU, however, the report puts equal emphasis on concrete proposals for a reorientation of the i2010 initiative for the 2008-10 period. The aim is to promote competitiveness in the more advanced countries whilst at the same time closing the gaps between Member States. More specifically, the Commission wants to kickstart joint technology initiatives to encourage ICT research. 2008 will see the publication of a guide to the rights and obligations of the users of digital technology in the EU in order to promote use of new on?line technology and lessen the digital divide between Member States. The Commission also plans to develop pan?European public services such as the electronic identity or electronic signature initiatives.

Communication of 30 March 2007 from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: i2010 – Annual Information Society Report 2007 [COM(2007) 146 final – not published in the Official Journal].

In this second report the Commission sets out a number of recommendations and actions for 2007 and 2008 including:

  • a review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications;
  • continuing the policy of innovation in ICT with the Joint Technology Initiatives, EU standardisation policy and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP);
  • inclusion, the ongoing improvement of public services and quality of life (e?accessibility, digital literacy, eGovernment, intelligent car, energy efficiency).

In preparation for a mid-term review in 2008, the report outlines a set of preparatory measures:

  • identifying future trends, in particular in through the options offered by the new internet, in cooperation with the i2010 High Level Group;
  • launching a public consultation involving all stakeholders;
  • addressing the main issues for the mid-term review at a high level i2010 event in 2008.

The outcome of these discussions will be fed into the 2008 European Spring Council, which is to address the issues relating to the next generation internet.

E-Health: improving health and healthcare through the use of information and communications technologies

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e-Health: improving health and healthcare through the use of information and communications technologies

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about e-Health: improving health and healthcare through the use of information and communications technologies

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Digital Strategy i2010 Strategy eEurope Action Plan Digital Strategy Programmes

e-Health: improving health and healthcare through the use of information and communications technologies

The “e-Health” action plan shows how to use information and communications technologies (ICT) to provide better quality healthcare throughout Europe, at a stable or lower cost, and to reduce waiting times and errors. The aim of the action plan is the creation of a “European e-Health Area” and it identifies practical steps to achieve this by developing electronic systems for health records, patient identifiers and health cards, and the faster rollout of high speed internet access for health systems to allow the full potential of e-Health to be delivered. The ultimate aim is for e-Health to become the norm among the healthcare profession, patients and the general population by the end of the decade.

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 30 April 2004 entitled “e-Health – making healthcare better for European citizens: An action plan for a European e-Health Area” [COM(2004) 356 final – not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The “e-Health” action plan forms part of the strategy set out in the European Union’s eEurope action plan, the purpose of which is to make the advantages of the information society available to all European citizens.

The main objective of the “e-Health” action plan is to enable the European Union (EU) to exploit the full potential of online health systems and services within a European e-Health Area.

There are three main target areas:

  • addressing challenges common to all the Member States of the EU and creating the right framework to support e-Health;
  • setting up pilot actions to jump start the delivery of e-Health; and
  • sharing best practices and evaluating progress.

ADDRESSING COMMON CHALLENGES

Health authorities have an important role to play

The action plan proposes that, by end of 2005, each Member State develops a national or regional roadmap for e-Health.

Interoperability of health information systems

The need to identify a person and transmit medical information unambiguously throughout Europe is an important component of the interoperability of health information systems.

The action plan therefore proposes that the Member States agree by the end of 2006 on a common approach to patient identifiers and the definition of interoperability standards for health data messages and electronic health records. This should take account of best practices, relevant standardisation efforts and developments in areas such as the European Health Insurance Card and identity management for European citizens.

Mobility of patients and health professionals

Patients and health professionals are becoming increasingly mobile within the European Union.

The EU has already adopted a Communication on patient mobility and work is already underway to improve information on the subject. Progress is being made in particular through the health systems working party.

Enhancing infrastructure and technologies

Under the action plan, during the period 2004-2008 Member States should support the deployment of health information networks for e-Health based on fixed and wireless broadband and mobile infrastructures and Grid technologies.

Conformity of e-Health systems

Many European countries have already proceeded with accreditation of e-Health systems that have become models for other regions.

By mid-2005 the European Commission should produce a summary of European best practices as guidance for Member States.

The Member States should then, by the end of 2007, adopt conformity testing and accreditation schemes following successful best practices.

Leveraging investments

Considerable investment is required for any development or modernisation of systems and services. Consequently, under the action plan, a collaborative approach to supporting and boosting investment in e-Health should be undertaken among Member States by the end of 2006.

Legal and regulatory issues

According to the action plan, by the end of 2009 the European Commission should undertake activities in collaboration with Member States to:

  • set a baseline for a standardised European qualification for e-Health services in clinical and administrative settings;
  • provide a framework for greater legal certainty of e-Health products and services liability within the context of existing product liability legislation;
  • improve information for patients, health insurance schemes and healthcare providers regarding the rules applying to the assumption of the costs of e-Health services;
  • promote e-Health with a view to reducing occupational accidents and illnesses and support preventive actions in the face of the emergence of new workplace risks.

SETTING UP PILOT SCHEMES

A considerable number of pilot schemes in the field of e-Health are underway or about to be launched in the European Union.

Information for citizens and authorities on health education and disease prevention

As part of its work providing information for citizens, the Commission is currently preparing an EU-wide public health portal which should be operational by the end of 2005. The portal will give citizens a single point of access to information on public health, as well as on health and safety in the workplace.

The Commission is also working to enhance ICT tools to improve health threat early warning, detection, and surveillance measures.

Towards integrated health information networks

Major efforts are currently underway to establish health information networks. By the end of 2008 the majority of European health organisations should be able to provide online services such as teleconsultation (second medical opinion), e-prescriptions, e-referral, telemonitoring and telecare (remote monitoring of patients in their own homes).

Promoting the use of cards in healthcare

There are two types of cards that can be used in the healthcare sector: the health card, which may carry emergency data such as blood types, pathologies and treatments, and the health insurance card, which was launched on 1 January 2004 and replaces all the paper forms which were needed to benefit from medically-necessary care while on a temporary stay abroad.

Activities will be launched in the Member States to promote the use of these cards. It is also expected that the implementation of an electronic health insurance card will be adopted by 2008.

MONITORING OF PRACTICES

Disseminating best practices

e-Health must be supported by the widespread dissemination of best practices. These should include the impact on access to healthcare and on its quality, assessments of cost benefits and productivity gains, as well as examples of addressing liability in telemedicine services, reimbursement schemes, and accreditation of e-Health products and services.

Best practice will be spread through meetings held between the Member States and supported by the European Commission. Alongside this, the European Commission should, by the end of 2005, establish an effective way of systematically disseminating best practices.

Evaluation

Between 2004 and 2010 the European Commission will publish a biennial study on the progress made in implementing e-Health.

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND E-HEALTH

Why does the EU need to develop its e-Health systems and services?

For some years European countries have been facing rising demand for health and social services as a result of an ageing population and higher income levels, although the funding available remains limited. At the same time, citizens have higher expectations and the mobility of patients and of health professionals has increased. Huge quantities of medical information are difficult for the authorities to manage.

Developing e-Health systems and services should help solve these problems. It could in particular help reduce costs and improve productivity in such areas as billing and record-keeping, reducing medical error, cutting down on unnecessary care, and also in improving the quality of healthcare.

Today at least four out of five European doctors have an internet connection, and a quarter of Europeans use the internet to get information about diseases and health matters. These encouraging figures indicate that e-Health systems and services will develop rapidly.

European Community research funding has supported e-Health to the tune of EUR 500 million since the early 1990s, with total investment through co-financing being around twice that amount. Many of today’s success stories are the product of that research. All this has helped to create a new e-Health industry with a turnover of EUR 11 billion. Estimates suggest that by 2010 up to 5% of health budgets will be invested in e-Health systems and services.

This action plan is only part of the EU’s response to the huge challenges that health services across the EU are facing. Two further examples include action on patient mobilityand the benchmarking of national reforms of healthcare systems.

 

Another Normative about e-Health: improving health and healthcare through the use of information and communications technologies

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic

Public health > European health strategy

e-Health: improving health and healthcare through the use of information and communications technologies

The “e-Health” action plan shows how to use information and communications technologies (ICT) to provide better quality healthcare throughout Europe, at a stable or lower cost, and to reduce waiting times and errors. The aim of the action plan is the creation of a “European e-Health Area” and it identifies practical steps to achieve this by developing electronic systems for health records, patient identifiers and health cards, and the faster rollout of high speed internet access for health systems to allow the full potential of e-Health to be delivered. The ultimate aim is for e-Health to become the norm among the healthcare profession, patients and the general population by the end of the decade.

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 30 April 2004 entitled “e-Health – making healthcare better for European citizens: An action plan for a European e-Health Area” [COM(2004) 356 final – not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The “e-Health” action plan forms part of the strategy set out in the European Union’s eEurope action plan, the purpose of which is to make the advantages of the information society available to all European citizens.

The main objective of the “e-Health” action plan is to enable the European Union (EU) to exploit the full potential of online health systems and services within a European e-Health Area.

There are three main target areas:

  • addressing challenges common to all the Member States of the EU and creating the right framework to support e-Health;
  • setting up pilot actions to jump start the delivery of e-Health; and
  • sharing best practices and evaluating progress.

ADDRESSING COMMON CHALLENGES

Health authorities have an important role to play

The action plan proposes that, by end of 2005, each Member State develops a national or regional roadmap for e-Health.

Interoperability of health information systems

The need to identify a person and transmit medical information unambiguously throughout Europe is an important component of the interoperability of health information systems.

The action plan therefore proposes that the Member States agree by the end of 2006 on a common approach to patient identifiers and the definition of interoperability standards for health data messages and electronic health records. This should take account of best practices, relevant standardisation efforts and developments in areas such as the European Health Insurance Card and identity management for European citizens.

Mobility of patients and health professionals

Patients and health professionals are becoming increasingly mobile within the European Union.

The EU has already adopted a Communication on patient mobility and work is already underway to improve information on the subject. Progress is being made in particular through the health systems working party.

Enhancing infrastructure and technologies

Under the action plan, during the period 2004-2008 Member States should support the deployment of health information networks for e-Health based on fixed and wireless broadband and mobile infrastructures and Grid technologies.

Conformity of e-Health systems

Many European countries have already proceeded with accreditation of e-Health systems that have become models for other regions.

By mid-2005 the European Commission should produce a summary of European best practices as guidance for Member States.

The Member States should then, by the end of 2007, adopt conformity testing and accreditation schemes following successful best practices.

Leveraging investments

Considerable investment is required for any development or modernisation of systems and services. Consequently, under the action plan, a collaborative approach to supporting and boosting investment in e-Health should be undertaken among Member States by the end of 2006.

Legal and regulatory issues

According to the action plan, by the end of 2009 the European Commission should undertake activities in collaboration with Member States to:

  • set a baseline for a standardised European qualification for e-Health services in clinical and administrative settings;
  • provide a framework for greater legal certainty of e-Health products and services liability within the context of existing product liability legislation;
  • improve information for patients, health insurance schemes and healthcare providers regarding the rules applying to the assumption of the costs of e-Health services;
  • promote e-Health with a view to reducing occupational accidents and illnesses and support preventive actions in the face of the emergence of new workplace risks.

SETTING UP PILOT SCHEMES

A considerable number of pilot schemes in the field of e-Health are underway or about to be launched in the European Union.

Information for citizens and authorities on health education and disease prevention

As part of its work providing information for citizens, the Commission is currently preparing an EU-wide public health portal which should be operational by the end of 2005. The portal will give citizens a single point of access to information on public health, as well as on health and safety in the workplace.

The Commission is also working to enhance ICT tools to improve health threat early warning, detection, and surveillance measures.

Towards integrated health information networks

Major efforts are currently underway to establish health information networks. By the end of 2008 the majority of European health organisations should be able to provide online services such as teleconsultation (second medical opinion), e-prescriptions, e-referral, telemonitoring and telecare (remote monitoring of patients in their own homes).

Promoting the use of cards in healthcare

There are two types of cards that can be used in the healthcare sector: the health card, which may carry emergency data such as blood types, pathologies and treatments, and the health insurance card, which was launched on 1 January 2004 and replaces all the paper forms which were needed to benefit from medically-necessary care while on a temporary stay abroad.

Activities will be launched in the Member States to promote the use of these cards. It is also expected that the implementation of an electronic health insurance card will be adopted by 2008.

MONITORING OF PRACTICES

Disseminating best practices

e-Health must be supported by the widespread dissemination of best practices. These should include the impact on access to healthcare and on its quality, assessments of cost benefits and productivity gains, as well as examples of addressing liability in telemedicine services, reimbursement schemes, and accreditation of e-Health products and services.

Best practice will be spread through meetings held between the Member States and supported by the European Commission. Alongside this, the European Commission should, by the end of 2005, establish an effective way of systematically disseminating best practices.

Evaluation

Between 2004 and 2010 the European Commission will publish a biennial study on the progress made in implementing e-Health.

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND E-HEALTH

Why does the EU need to develop its e-Health systems and services?

For some years European countries have been facing rising demand for health and social services as a result of an ageing population and higher income levels, although the funding available remains limited. At the same time, citizens have higher expectations and the mobility of patients and of health professionals has increased. Huge quantities of medical information are difficult for the authorities to manage.

Developing e-Health systems and services should help solve these problems. It could in particular help reduce costs and improve productivity in such areas as billing and record-keeping, reducing medical error, cutting down on unnecessary care, and also in improving the quality of healthcare.

Today at least four out of five European doctors have an internet connection, and a quarter of Europeans use the internet to get information about diseases and health matters. These encouraging figures indicate that e-Health systems and services will develop rapidly.

European Community research funding has supported e-Health to the tune of EUR 500 million since the early 1990s, with total investment through co-financing being around twice that amount. Many of today’s success stories are the product of that research. All this has helped to create a new e-Health industry with a turnover of EUR 11 billion. Estimates suggest that by 2010 up to 5% of health budgets will be invested in e-Health systems and services.

This action plan is only part of the EU’s response to the huge challenges that health services across the EU are facing. Two further examples include action on patient mobilityand the benchmarking of national reforms of healthcare systems.

 

Promoting data protection by privacy-enhancing technologies

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Promoting data protection by privacy-enhancing technologies

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Promoting data protection by privacy-enhancing technologies

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Data protection copyright and related rights

Promoting data protection by privacy-enhancing technologies

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on promoting data protection by privacy-enhancing technologies [COM(2007) 228 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The Commission considers that privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) should be developed and more widely used, in particular where personal data are processed through information and communication technology (ICT) networks. It considers that wider use of these technologies would improve the protection of privacy.

In its Communication on a strategy for a secure Information Society, it invites the private sector to “stimulate the deployment of security-enhancing products, processes and services to prevent and fight ID theft and other privacy-intrusive attacks”. Furthermore, in its Roadmap for a pan-European eIDM Framework by 2010, it indicates that one of the key principles governing electronic identity management is that “the system must be secure, implement the necessary safeguards to protect the user’s privacy, and allow its usage to be aligned with local interest and sensitivities”.

The purpose of this Communication, which follows on from the Communication on a strategy for a secure Information Society, the Roadmap for a pan-European eIDM Framework by 2010 and the First Report on the implementation of the Data Protection Directive, is to define the objectives so as to achieve better protection of privacy and to determine clear actions so as to achieve these goals by supporting the development of PETs and their use by data controllers and consumers.

First objective: to support the development of PETs

If PETs are to be widely used, there needs to be further design, development and manufacturing of PETs. Although these activities are already undertaken to a certain degree by the public and private sectors, the Commission considers that they should be stepped up. With this aim in mind, the need for PETs and their technological requirements should be identified and RTD activities should develop the tools. Finally, the Commission will encourage stakeholders to meet and discuss these technologies.

As the need for and technological requirements of PETs are identified, concrete action has to be taken to arrive at an end-product ready to use. In the future, under the 7th Framework Programme, the Commission intends to support other research and technological development (RTD) projects and large-scale pilot demonstrations to develop and stimulate the uptake of PETs. The Commission also calls on national authorities and on the private sector to invest in the development of PETs.

Second objective: to support the use of available PETs by data controllers

The Commission calls on all data controllers to incorporate and apply PETs in their processes more widely and systematically. For that purpose, the Commission will organise seminars with key actors of the ICT industry, and in particular PETs developers, with the aim of analysing their possible contribution to promoting the use of PETs among data controllers. It will also conduct a study on the economic benefits of PETs and disseminate its results in order to encourage enterprises, in particular SMEs, to use them.

Furthermore, the Commission will assess the need to develop standards regarding the lawful processing of data with PETs.

Firstly, the Commission will consider the need for respect of data protection rules to be taken into account in standardisation activities. It may invite the European Standardisation Organisations (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI) to assess specific European needs and subsequently to bring them to the international level by means of applying the current agreements between European and international standardisation organisations.

Secondly, the Commission considers that this is an area where coordination of national practice could contribute positively to promoting the use of PETs. It is calling on the Article 29 Working Party to continue its work in the field by including in its programme ongoing analysis of the needs for incorporating PETs in data-processing operations. This work should then produce guidelines for data-protection authorities to implement at national level through coordinated adoption of the appropriate instruments.

Moreover, many data-processing operations are conducted by public authorities in the exercise of their competences, both at national and at Community level. They are themselves bound to respect fundamental rights, including the right to protect personal data.

The Commission also considers that the public authorities should therefore set a clear example in this field. It calls on governments to ensure that data-protection safeguards are embedded in eGovernment applications, including through the widest possible use of PETs in their design and implementation. As for Community institutions and bodies, the Commission calls on them to comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. The European Data Protection Supervisor could contribute with his advice to drawing up internal rules relating to the processing of personal data.

Third objective: to encourage consumers to use PETs

A consistent strategy must be adopted to raise consumer awareness of the risks involved in processing their data and of the solutions that PETs may provide. With this in mind, the Commission intends to launch a series of EU-wide awareness-raising activities on PETs.

The main responsibility for conducting this activity falls within the realm of national data-protection authorities, which already have valuable experience in this area. The Commission calls on them to increase their awareness-raising activities to include information on PETs through all possible means within their reach. It also urges the Article 29 Working Party to coordinate national practice in a coherent work plan for awareness-raising on PETs and to serve as a meeting point for the sharing of good practice already in place at national level.

The Commission also intends to investigate the feasibility of an EU-wide system of privacy seals. With this in mind, and taking account of previous experience concerning seal programmes in other areas (e.g. environment, agriculture, security certification for products and services), it will conduct a dialogue with all the stakeholders concerned, including national data-protection authorities, industrial and consumer associations and standardisation bodies.