DIGITAL SIGNATURE DIRECTIVE

[Nigel Hickson]

Hit there =


As Mr Dare has shared parts of the draft (and it is that) directive with
the Group; perhaps I can explain its status.  =


As you recall the directive was trailed in (97)503 last year which the
Telelcoms Council in December welcomed.  The Commission have been working=

on the directive, with encouragement of the UK presdency, and a recent
draft has been sent to member States for comment ahead of its formal
adoption later in April (we hope).  The draft is market (at this stage(
"confidential" which is why we have not shared it with industry and why i=
t
is probably not on any offical website.   I am going to a member State
meeting on Thursday (yes, I will not be in the Hague then) to discuss dra=
ft
and will report back.   As you will note - from Peter's comments - the
directive (much to our disapoinment) says nothing on encryption! =


Nigel Hickson =