EU: Compulsory Information Procedure

The EU Directive aimed at preventing the creation of regulatory obstacles to the free movement of information society services has been published in OJ L 217 (5 August 1998). The Directive extends to information services the procedure already in existence for technical standards and regulations relating to goods. It obliges EU MS to notify new national regulations in advance to the EC so as to ensure compatibility with single market rules. The sectors covered by the Directive are information services provided at a distance by electronic means and at the individual request of a recipient of services. These include electronic newspapers, distance sales of goods and services and educational services. Telecoms and broadcasting services are not covered by the Directive.