Intellectual Property Law

EU Implementing Directive on Statistics on the Information Society

By IBLS Editor

Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 (Directive on IS Statistics) of the European Parliament and the Council established a common framework for the systematic production of EU statistics on the information society.  This Directive on IS Statistics was implemented by Commission Regulation (EC) No 847/2007 of July 18, 2007 (Implementing Directive).  The aggregate data required by Annex I to the Implementing Directive must be forwarded to Eurostat by October 5, 2008.   

The EU purports to collect accurate and systematic information on the community's information society.  To this end, the Directive on IS Statistics was issued on 2004; it established the legal framework for the collection and presentation of data to Eurostat, the community body processing statistical information.  The specific data to be supplied by the Member States is detailed in the 2007 Implementing Directive, which follows the guidelines set by the Statistical Programme Committee on Council Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom 2.    

The Implementing Directive ((EC) No 847/2007), presents a comprehensive list of documents and information to be supplied by Member States.  This information is divided in two annexes; Annex I is called "Enterprises and the Information Society." According to Annex I, data collection from three areas is required, (a) ICT systems and their usage in enterprises; (b) use of Internet and other electronic networks by enterprises; and (c) e-commerce and e-business processes.  Annex I aims to collect information about ICT systems used by EU enterprises with over 10 employees (enterprises with less than 10 employees are not required to submit this information) for the year 2007 and 2008.  Examples of the information required are: computer usage by enterprises; use of internal computer networks (LAN); use of internal homepage (Intranet); use of extranet; use of dedicated applications by human resources employees; use of wireless access; access to Internet and type of connection; use of websites; interaction with public authorities over the Internet; aspects related to e-business processes such as electronic supplies, electronic orders, purchase orders, etc; information about the enterprise data exchange; among others.

This information must be collected from enterprises in the following economic activities: (a) manufacturing; (b) construction; (c) wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and personal and household goods; (d) hotels, camping sites and other hospitality business; (e) transport, storage, and communications; (f) credit granting; (g) other monetary intermediation; (h) life insurance; (i) non-life insurance; (j) real estate, renting, and business activities; and (k) Motion picture and video activities" and "Radio and television activities.  Enterprises related to gas, electricity, and water supply; restaurants, bars, and catering; recreational and cultural activities; and other services activities may opt to provide this information but it is not mandatory for them.   Annex I information must be submitted in the template provided by Eurostat by October 5, 2008. 

Annex II, called "Individual Households and the Information Society," aims to collect information on four areas, (a) access to and use of ICT systems by individuals and/or in households; (b) use of Internet for different purposes by individuals and/or in households; (c)  (optional) ICT competence; and (d) barriers to use of ICT and the Internet.  In general, Annex II will collect data such as ICT systems used by individuals and household with at least one member in the age group of 16-74; computer access; Internet access; type of computer use (desktop or laptop); use of mobiles; Internet usage on other technological devices like phones, TVs, game consoles, etc.; type of Internet connection (DSL, cable, ADSL, SHDSL); frequency of Internet use; places where Internet is used; Internet payments. The reference period of data in Annex II is first quarter of 2008 and data must be submitted by October 5, 2008.  This data should be provided once for the year 2008.  The Implementing Directive does not mention subsequent collection of this data. 

Once Eurostat processes and publishes the information required by the Implementing Directive, it will become valuable information for the international community because it will provide reference on the EU use of ICT systems both in business and households.   This information may be used by governments, international organizations, advertising companies, and businesses in general when directing their future endeavors.    
   

Full post as published by IBLS Internet Law Blog on July 28, 2008 (boomark / email).