Commission Agenda for 2006

Abs

Forthcoming legislations

• 4th quarter 2006 - COMP - New Community framework for State aid for research, development and innovation. European Community Treaty Application of Articles 87 and 88 of EC Treaty x x

  • To review the current rules concerning aid to research & development, and to introduce new rules on aid to innovation.

• 4th quarter 2006 - SG - Coordination des politiques de la Commission - Consultation Document on the review of Regulation 1049/2001 (European Transparency Initiative)
  • The purpose of this Communication is to submit to the public options for the revision of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. It will contain an analysis of the main elements of the Regulation (scope, beneficiaries, exceptions to the right of access, procedures for handling requests, etc.) and propose some options concerning possible amendments to the provisions of the Regulation. The replies to this consultation will be taken into account when the Commission will eventually decide on the actual revision of the Regulation, which would be launched in 2007.
• 4th quarter 2006 - INFSO - Decision on mobile Satellite Systems (2GHz)
  • This Commission Decision results from a mandate to CEPT to develop and adopt the measures necessary to ensure the introduction of a harmonised frequency plan in the Community for MSS satellite systems operating in the 2GHz band. It is a spectrum allocation harmonisation measure pursuant to the spectrum decision (676/2002/EC).
• 4th quarter 2006 - INFSO - Decision Broadband Wireless Access (3.4GHz)
  • This Commission Decision results from a mandate to CEPT to develop and adopt the measures necessary to ensure the introduction of a harmonised frequency plan in the Community for broadband wireless systems operating inter alia in the 3.4 GHz band. It is a spectrum allocation harmonisation measure pursuant to the spectrum decision (676/2002/EC).
• 2006/10 - INFSO - Commission Decision on Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID)
  • The Commission will adopt a Decision, under the Radio Spectrum Decision, to harmonise radio spectrum frequencies for availability and efficient use by radio frequency identification devices (RFID) operating in the UFH band in the EU. This will support innovation and provide industry with legal certainty in view to the significant investments required to rapidly fulfil the economic potential of RFID technologies and applications for the internal market. RFID include automatic item identification, asset tracking, security and alarm systems, waste management, anti-theft systems, location systems, etc.
• 2006/10 - MARKT - Décision autorisant la Commission à conduire des négociations au sein de lýOMPI visant à conclure d'un nouvel instrument de protection des droits des signals de radiodiffusion
  • The Commission (DG MARKT) represents the European Community and its Member States in the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights on the negotiations on the protection of broadcasting organisations. Pursuant to progress made, the WIPO General Assembly may decide in September 2006 to proceed towards a Diplomatic Conference with a view to conclude a new Instrument on the protection of broadcasting organisations. In this case a new mandate by the Council will be needed for the Commission to represent the EC and its Member States at those (final) negotiations.
• 2006/06 - JLS - Adoption par la Commission d'une décision établissant les spécifications techniques afin d'intégrer les empreintes digitales dans les passeports
  • Council Regulation 2252/2004 harmonised the security features for passports. The COM has been given the mandate to adopt the technical specifications required to implement these security features. The COM has adopted in 2005 a first decision on these security features. A second decision is required to determine specific security features for the protection of the fingerprints that will be integrated in the passports (on extended access control to these date).
• 2006/06 - INFSO - ENISA: Internal rules of operation concerning confidentiality and transparency (Articles 12 and 13 of ENISA Regulation)
  • Pursuant to Articles 12 and 13 of the ENISA Regulation (No. 460/2004 of 10 March 2004, OJ L77/1 of 13.3.2004), ENISA will lay down in its internal rules of operation the practical arrangements for implementing the rules concerning, respectively, transparency and confidentiality. These rules will be adopted by the ENISA Management Board on a proposal from the Commission, prepared by DG INFSO. The Commission intends to adopt these proposals in the first quarter of 2006. Following discussions with DG ADMIN and ENISA, the confidentiality rules will only focus on sensitive documents and how to handle these, and will not include provisions for EU classified documents.
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Short Range Devices Framework Decision
  • Short Range Devices are key enablers for a range of applications supporting important EU policies (e.g. eHealth, eInclusion, eSafety, etc.). The market development for such devices is highly dependent on economies of scale and it is therefore important that the potential of the internal market be exploited to its fullest extent by ensuring that harmonised frequencies and conditions of use are available in a timely fashion. This Commission Decision is a spectrum allocation measure pursuant to the spectrum decision (676/2002/EC).
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - IMT 2000 extension bands (mandate 5)
  • This Commission Decision results from a mandate to develop and adopt the measures necessary to ensure the introduction of a harmonised frequency plan in the Community within the band 2500-2690 MHz as additional spectrum bands to IMT2000/UMTS. It is a spectrum allocation harmonisation measure pursuant to the spectrum decision (676/2002/EC).
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Ultra-wide band technology
  • The introduction of wireless applications using ultra-wide band technology (i.e. very large signal bandwidth – over 500 Mbit/s) may have a considerable impact on a number of EU policies and initiatives. The Commission is developing technical implementing measures for the harmonised use of radio spectrum for ultra-wide band applications in the European Union. This Commission Decision will establish clear legal rules for a single market for the many ultra-wide band enabled products.
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Revised proposal for list of standards to be published in the Official Journal in accordance with Article 17 of the Frameowrk Directive
  • In accordance with Article 17(1) of the Framework Directive (2002/21/EC) the Commissions draws up and publishes in the Official Journal of the European Communities a list of standards and/or specifications which serve as a basis for encouraging the harmonised provision of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services and associated facilities and services, to ensure interoperability of services and to improve freedom of choice for users. This publication replaces the former interim List of Standards (2202/C 331/04) whih referred to both the "old" regulatory framework and the current regulatory framework.

Non Legislatives acts

• 4th quarter 2006 - INFSO - TFTS band reallocation
• 4th quarter 2006 - INFSO - Communication World Radio frequency Conference 2007 (WRC-07)
• 4th quarter 2006 - INFSO - Communication content on-line

• 4th quarter 2006 - RTD/ENTR - Recommandation de la Commission visant à faciliter les collaborations de R&D et les transferts de technologie entre la recherche publique et lýindustrie

  • Brief Description: R&D collaboration and knowledge transfer between universities and industry constitute one of the weaknesses of the European research and innovation system. Initiatives to facilitate these relations have been implemented. However, Europe's current rules and practices are fragmented and lack a transnational dimension. There is therefore a need to promote consistency in the rules and practices applied across Europe in this field. To this end, the Commission will adopt in 2006 a [recommendation] communication containing recommendations to improve research collaboration and technology transfer between public research and industry. This communication guidelines will build on good practices identified from existing initiatives of Member States and of stakeholders, and from recommendations made by CREST under the Open Method of Coordination as applied to the 3 % Action Plan.

• 4th quarter 2006 - EAC /INFSO - Communication on the use of ICT to support innovation and lifelong learning for all - ‘Towards a Learning Society for all’
  • The Communicaton analyses the use of ICT for education and training, focusing on innovation and the support offered for lifelong learning. It builds upon the eLearning Action Plan (2001), work under the eLearning Programme 2004-2006 and the eLearning conference of 2005 and aims to set the political priorities for ICT in the new integrated lifelong learning programme (ILLP).
• 2006/12 - JLS/INFSO - Communication sur le cybercrime
  • A comprehensive update of the Commission's cybercrime policy, including issues related to protection of the critical information infrastructure, terrorist use of the internet, identity theft, pan-European admissibility of electronic evidence, combating on-line child pornography, etc.
• 2006/12 - INFSO - Recommendation on Relevant Markets
  • The Recommendation on relevant products and markets identifies those markets within the electronic communications sector whose characteristics may be such as to justify the imposition of regulatory obligations.
• 2006/11 - INFSO - Evaluation intérimaire des programmes MEDIA Plus et MEDIA Formation pour le secteur audiovisuel européen European Community Treaty art. 157, 150(4)
  • The evaluation report will provide an independent interim evaluation of the current MEDIA Programmes. The evaluation will also comply with the amendment of the European Parliament to the Commissionýs proposal for prolongation of the MEDIA Plus and MEDIA Training Programmes for the year 2006.
• 2006/11 - INFSO - Communication on digital libraries of scientific and scholarly information
  • This Communication will be issued in the context of the i2010 flagship initiative on digital libraries and will deal with digital libraries containing scientif and scholarly information.
• 2006/10 - MARKT - Recommandation de la Commission - Compensation équitable pour la copie privée : réforme des prélévements pour le droit d'auteur
  • Reform of copyright levies applied to equipment and media used for private copying by consumers and others.
• 3rd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Communication reporting on the public consultation on the revision of the regulatory framework for electronic communications services
  • This Communication will report on the results of the public consultation on the revision of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services that will be launched in the 2nd Quarter of 2006 by the Communication on the functionning of the regulatory framework (2006/INFSO/001).
• 3rd quarter 2006 - TAXUD - Fiscalité et union douanière - Communication de la Commission sur un cadre européen visant à assurer une utilisation plus effective des mesures fiscales en faveur de la recherche et du développement.

  • Many MS use fiscal incentives when trying to increase private R&D spending. The objective of the Communication are to (i) clarify the key legal conditions for Member States' R&D tax incentives resulting from EU law (EC Treaty non-discrimination and State Aid rules); (ii) highlight measures of good practice for R&D fiscal treatment and incentives in Member States that could serve as a model for others. The Communication is thus intended to provide an overall EU framework to ensure a more effective use of fiscal incentives in favour of R&D, which will also provide specific guidance to ensure their optimal EU-wide use.

• 3rd quarter 2006 - ENTR - European Community Treaty Article 156
  • To adopt the revised rolling work programme for IDABC, including new projects of common interest, horizontal measures and, - as part of the latter - proposals for pan-European e-Government servics.
• 3rd quarter 2006 - ENTR - Evaluation intermédiaire d'IDABC
  • This evaluation should include a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of performance against the work programme, establish the progress and current status of the projects of common interest and horizontal measures, examine the benefits yielded by the pan-European eGovernment and infrastructure services for the advancement of common policies and institutional cooperation and identify areas for potential improvement and verify strategies with other Community activities in the area of pan-European eGovernment and infrastructure services. The Commission shall forward the result of its quantitative and qualitative evaluation to the European Parliament and the Council together with any appropriate proposals for the amendment of this decision. In the context of this evaluation the Commission shall report on the consistency of the amount for 2007-2009 with the financial perspective. If applicable, the Commission shall take the necessary steps within the budgetary procedures for 2007-2009 to ensure the consistency of the annual appropriations with the financial perspective.
• 2006/07 - INFSO - Recommendation on digitisation and digital preservation
  • This recommendation will deal amongst others with issues related to digitisation policies, IPRs and legal deposit. It follows from the on-going online public consultation and will include its results.
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Communication on a coherent approach for wireless communications access platforms
  • This Communication aims at developing a concept for the application of the principle of technological neutrality to all wireless mobile services (e.g. GSM, Wireless Access Networks, etc).
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Communication on security issues (spam, malware, etc)
  • Building on the 2002 e-Privacy Directive and the subsequent Communication on spam, many efforts have been made to fight spam. Fighting spam works but the threat is evolving. Spam is increasingly sophisticated, fraudulent (e.g. phishing) or indeed criminal; also it is increasingly a vehicle for related activities based on programmes like spyware and malware. These security threats are undermining user confidence and hence, the value of the Internet and electronic communications. This is why they have been banned by EU law (e.g. e-Privacy Directive, Framework Decision on Attacks against information systems). However, legislation is not enough and will only produce results if combined with enforcement measures, industry cooperation and best practices, and better user awareness. International cooperation is also important. This Communication will address these issues.
• 2nd quarter 2006 - INFSO - Staff Working Paper on eHealth interoperability
  • Research and Development in eHealth has resulted in proofs of eHealth benefits, including financial. For EU citizens to enjoy the benefits and for the eHealth industry (mainly SMEs) to sustain one of the largest growths within ICT and healthcare sectors, the local and regional pilots need to scale to support national and EU wide services. For that, the connectivity (interoperability) of the systems is needed for easy access to vital information. This Commission Staff Working Paper will address these issues.
• 2006/06 - INFSO - Communication on the functioning of the regulatory framework for electronic communications and services
  • Provides a report on the functioning of the regulatory framework for electronic communications and services and launches a public consultation on possible review.
• 2006/05 - INFSO - Seventh Communication on the application of articles 4 and 5 of Directive 89/552/EEC (Television without frontiers) as amended by Directive 97/36/EC, for the period 2003-2004
  • The 7th Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament constitutes a regular bi-lateral Commission report on the application of Articles 4 and 5 of the "Television without Frontiers" Directive, which deals with the promotion and distribution of European works, including those created by independent producers.
• 2006/05 - INFSO - First Annual Report on i2010
  • Reporting on i2010 will take the form of a short Communication complemented by a report in the form of a staff working paper. The report will review progress, report on actions undertaken and indicate possible new areas for action. The attached annotated outline gives a first indication of the content of the report. The report will have a full list of 2005 actions in annex and a statistical annex covering the benchmarking indicators which are monitored regularly. The Communication will focus on the new priorities and actions foreseen for the year or 18 months ahead. It is the main vehicle for updating the policy content of i2010.
• 2006/05 - INFSO - Communication proposing a comprehensive strategy for ICT for Independent Living
  • ICTs have the potential to facilitate independent living of elderly, thus increasing their quality of life and autonomy and reducing the need for being institutionalised. This includes assistance to carry out daily activities, health and activity monitoring, enhancing safety and security, getting access to social, medical and emergency systems, and facilitating social contacts, in addition to context-based infotainment and entertainment. This Communication announces an Article 169 initiative (that will be proposed for adoption at the end of 2006) aiming at providing the necessary legal and organisational framework for large-scale European research cooperation in this area.
• 2006/05 - INFSO - Communication on a European Strategic Initiative in Electronics

  • This communication is a direct response to the requests of the 2005 Spring Council and the 2005 Eureka Ministerial Conference in that it aims to mobilise and commit all relevant stakeholders towards forging a high-impact European-wide strategic initiative for next generation electronics with significantly increased R&D investment and better integration of industry, national, Eureka and Community funding.

• 2006/05 - INFSO - Second Commission Recommendation on safe and efficient in-vehicle information and communication systems: A European Statement of Principles on Human Machine Interface
  • The 1st Commission Recommendation on Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) dates from December 1999 and was published in the Official Journal of 25.01.2000 (L19 page 64). Being almost six years old, it does not reflect any more the state of the technological development. In addition, the publication of a later update was already foreseen in the 1st Recommendation and was also mentionned as a possibility in the 2st eSafety Communication. These are the reasons for issuing a new Recommendation.
• 2006/05 - INFSO - Communication on a strategy for a secure information society "Strengthening Trust in ICT"
  • The strategy will propose a general framework for future activities in the field of internet, network and information security. It will take stock of actions already taken and identify areas where an action at EU level can provide particular added value, while respecting subsidiarity and activities already undertaken by Member States. It will also provide a link to further security related activities planned for 2006.
• 2006/05 - DIGIT - Informatique / Commission en ligne : Interoperabilité - Statut et futurs développements
  • The aim of this memorandum is first to report on the implementation of SEC(2004) 1265 since October 2004. Progress from horizontal DGs will be made, for instance regarding the Commission Enterprise Architecture, corporate authentication service, corporate portal, eDomec, to name a few. It then investigates new challenges regarding information integration for integrated management, leveraging Commission IT assets and development of new applications. Next, itpresents a Master Plan to respond to these challenges and to implement the Corporate Portal and associated data warehouses as foreseen in SEC(2004) 1265. A business case and required resources (equipment, labour and costs) will conclude the document.
• 2006/05 - JLS - Communication sur la promotion de lýusage et le développement des technologies pour l'amélioration de la protection de la vie privée.
  • The communication aims at (i) clarifying the concept of privacy-enhancing technologies which is currently embedded in the data protection Directive and (ii) promoting the development and use of privacy-enhancing technologies. The usefulness of a Commission communication in this field has been underlined in (i) the first Commission report on the implementation of the Data Protection Directive and work programme and (ii) follow up PET workshop organised by the Commission.
• 2006/05 - JLS - Communication sur le suivi du programme de travail pour une meilleure mise en application de la Directive sur la protection des données.
  • Evaluation of the work programme 2004 for a better implementation of the data protection Directive; announcement of follow up measures to narrow down divergences in Member Statesý applications.