The Directive was seen as a top priority in preparing Europe's transition to a knowledge-based economy and boosting competitiveness. Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein said, "This landmark decision will foster the growth of electronic commerce in Europe and so allow citizens and business to reap huge potential benefits in terms of jobs, choice of goods and services and access to markets."
The Directive covers all so-called Information Society services, both business to business and business to consumer, and services provided free of charge to the recipient, for example, those funded by advertising or sponsorship revenue and services allowing for on-line electronic transactions.
It only applies to service providers established within the EU. You can find a summary of it's main provisions in our guide, EU and UK Regulations.
