E-Envoy issues eight e-policy principles to guard e-commerce targets

Andrew Pinder, the e-Envoy, has announced a series of guidelines designed to ensure that other Government Departments do not introduce policies which could conflict with his Office's drive to meet e-commerce targets in 2002.

The eight 'e-Policy Principles', developed after consultation with Whitehall and industry and consumer representatives, are:

• To always establish the policy consequences for e-commerce;
  
• To avoid undue burdens on e-commerce;
  
• To consider self and co-regulatory options;
  
• To consult fully on e-commerce implications;
  
• That regulation should be 'technology neutral' in its effects;
  
• To check proposals are enforceable in an electronic age;
  
• To take account of the global market place - the EU and international angle;
  
• To consider the implications for e-Government.

Mr Pinder said: "I believe these Principles will be a useful resource for policy makers. We need to engage fully with industry and our other stakeholders to develop a policy framework fit for the e-economy."

Douglas Alexander, Minister for e-commerce, said: "The fast moving world of e-commerce presents many challenges and opportunities for policy makers across Government. I welcome this approach to help ensure that legislative and policy proposals deliver specific Government objectives while minimising any adverse impact on e-commerce."

Nick Lansman, Secretary General of the Internet Service Providers Association and a representative of the UK e-industry, said: "The ISPA has long-supported initiatives which promote light-touch, and where possible self or co-regulatory approaches to e-commerce regulation. The e-Policy Principles is such an initiative, and we are confident that it will promote a greater understanding of the unique nature of the e-commerce industry amongst policy-makers across Government."

Andy Scott, Director of International Competitiveness at the Confederation of British Industry, said: "The e-Policy Principles establish the UK as an international leader in emphasising the need to find co-regulatory solutions for Government objectives. We welcome the Government's recognition that the information age needs light-tough regulation. Achieving it in practice has not been straightforward and we hope that this guide will help officials to better understand the impact of regulation on the e-economy."

The e-commerce targets Mr Pinder is attempting to protect by introducing the guidelines were announced in the second UK Online annual report and include the Government's highly ambitious target to have 6,000 UK online centres in operation by the end of 2002.

The Principles will be formally reviewed every two years to keep them up to date and relevant.

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The Editor