Exploiting the Benefits of the Information Society

A range of policies also aim to ensure that Europe exploits the possibilities offered by the Information Society, improving both public and private services for all Europeans.

On this page: Public Services | Society & Environment | eBusiness | Moreover ...

The 2005-2010 Perspective: One of the three main priorities of the Commission's i2010 initiative is to ensure that all Europeans participate in and benefit from the Information Society, notably through providing better public services, available to everyone.

Public Services

"hundreds of billions of euros could be saved for European taxpayers every year" - eGovernment Action Plan

Government: The eGovernment Action Plan (April 2006), outlined how "hundreds of billions of euros could be saved for European taxpayers every year" by using ICTs to provide 'joined up government' and to improve democracy, while the Electronic Public Procurement legal framework is accelerating the use of ICTs to improve efficiencies in public procurement, which accounts for 16% of the EU economy.

Health: The eHealth Action Plan (April 2004), on the other hand, set out how ICTs can be used to deliver better quality health care Europe-wide. It will be followed by a Recommendation on eHealth interoperability and an i2010 Flagship on ICTs for independent living in an ageing society.

Education: Similarly, the 2006 eLearning Conference explored how ICTs can improve the way Europeans are educated and trained throughout their lives.

Customs: The Commission's Electronic Customs project, composed of legislation and a number of major projects, will create a more efficient and modern customs environment.

Society & Environment

Inclusion: These ICT-powered services, of course, must be available to everyone, regardless of their location, wealth or health, which is why the Ministerial Declaration on eInclusion (pdf) was adopted at ICT for an Inclusive Society (June 2006).

The Commission also wants to encourage more women to pursue an IT career as a force for change and a major boost for the ICT sector.

Sustainable Development: Europe's transport, energy and environment challenges are well known. What is less well known is the extent to which ICTs can help solve these problems, which is why:

an i2010 Flagship on ICTs for Sustainable Growth is currently under preparation,
the i2010 Flagship on Intelligent Cars has been launched to tackle transport-related problems and accelerate the deployment of intelligent vehicle systems, building on the eSafety Initiative, a public-private partnership to accelerate the use of Intelligent Integrated Safety Systems to reduce accidents on European roads.

eBusiness

Applying ICTs to business sharpens their competitive edge and drives innovation. The opportunities are particularly attractive in Europe, as eBusiness allows many companies - particularly SMEs - to benefit from the Single Market for the first time.

The eCommerce Directive (2000) is Europe's basic legal framework for electronic commerce in the Internal Market. VAT Invoicing Rules ensure all Member States' tax authorities recognise the validity of electronic invoices, while VAT rules on radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services mean that EU suppliers no longer have to charge VAT when supplying digital products to countries outside the EU, as was the case before e-service existed.

The Online Financial Services policy framework aims to ensure consumers and retail investors can access on-line financial services from across the EU while being fully protected, while the Distance Marketing of Financial Services Directive protects consumers of retail financial services (insurance, banking, etc.) marketed by telephone, Internet or mail. Consumer policy and e-commerce, finally, aims to improve consumer confidence in the internal market when it comes to eBusiness.

The EU's Industrial Policy promotes the Competitiveness and sustainable development of the ICT sector, supporting the take-up of information and communication technology and e-business practices by European enterprises.

The EU's .eu domain, moreover, has successfully translated the European Single Market online.

The Directive laying down VAT invoicing rules helps firms operating within the Internal Market by ensuring that they have only to deal with a single, simplified set of rules on invoicing valid throughout the EU. It also requires Member States to recognise the validity of electronic invoices and allow cross-border electronic invoicing and electronic storage. See: Frequently Asked Questions for Traders.

Europe's VAT arrangements for electronic services, applying to radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services, ensure they are taxed in the country where the customer resides rather than where the supplier is located. This means EU suppliers do not have to levy VAT when selling outside the EU, removing a significant competitive handicap.

More: see the eBusiness theme.

Moreover ...

Complementary Activities: The above policies are complemented by a range of European Activities designed to Stimulate the Development of Digital Applications

More Policies: Overview | Regulating the Market | Stimulating the Sector | Exploiting the Benefits | A-Z

Last Updated March 2007