COM(2001)398 - European contract law

official title

 

Legal instrument	Communication
reference by COM-number105	COM(2001)398
Additional COM-numbers	COM(2001)398
CELEX number108	52001DC0398

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• 1. 

  Cf. Ole Lando and Hugh Beale (eds.), Principles of European Contract Law Parts I and II, (Kluwer Law International, 2000); Academy of European Private Lawyers, European Contract Code - Preliminary draft, (Universita Di Pavia, 2001) hereafter referred to as 'the Pavia Group'; the Study Group for a European Civil Code. A comprehensive discussion, including a detailed bibliography, of the issues concerning civil law in Europe can be found in Hartkamp, Hesselink, Hondius, Joustra, Perron (eds.), Towards a European Civil Code (Kluwer Law International, 1998).
  
   
• 2. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 3. 

  . OJ C 377, 29.12.2000, p. 323 (Resolution B5-0228, 0229 - 0230 / 2000, p. 326 at point 28).
  
   
• 4. 

  . Presidency Conclusions, Tampere European Council 15 and 16 October 1999, SI (1999) 800.
  
   
• 5. 

  . COM(2000) 167, 24.3.2000, last updated in May 2001, see COM(2001) 278 final, 23.5.2001
  
   
• 6. 

  . COM(2001) 66 final, 7.2.2001, p. 11.
  
   
• 7. 

  . The 'Pavia Group' has recently published its 'European Contract Code - Preliminary draft', (Universita Di Pavia, 2001) based on the work of the Academy of European Private Lawyers. This code contains a body of rules and solutions based on the laws of members of the European Union and Switzerland and covers the areas of contractual formation, content and form, contractual interpretation and effect, execution and non-execution of a contract, cessation and extinction, other contractual anomalies and remedies.
  
   
• 8. 

  . The 'Commission on European Contract Law' (which has received a major part of its subsidies from the Commission of the EC) has published Principles of European Contract Law Parts I and II, edited by Ole Lando and Hugh Beale (Kluwer Law International, 2000). These common principles for the countries of the European Community concern the issues of formation, validity, interpretation and contents of contracts, the authority of an agent to bind his principal, performance, non-performance and remedies. The book provides text proposals for common rules and includes commentary and comparative analysis for each rule.
  
   
• 9. 

  Another important ongoing academic exercise in this area is the
   
• 10. 

  . Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (OJ L 171, 7.7.1999, p.12). Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (OJ L 95, 21.4.1993, p. 29). Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours (OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 59). Council Directive 85/577/EEC of 20 December 1985 to protect the consumer in respect of contracts negotiated away from business premises (OJ L 372, 31.12.1985, p. 31). Council Directive 87/102/EEC of 22 December 1986 for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning consumer credit (OJ L 42, 12.2.1987, p. 48) as modified by Directive 90/88 (OJ L 61, 10.3.1990, p. 14) and Directive 98/7 (OJ L 101, 1.4.198, p. 17). Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts (OJ L 144, 4.6.1997, p. 19). Directive 94/47/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 October 1994 on the protection of purchasers in respect of certain aspects of contracts relating to the purchase of the right to use immovable properties on a timeshare basis (OJ L 280, 29.10.1994, p. 83).
  
   
• 11. 

  . Council Directive 86/653/EEC of 18 December 1986 on the co-ordination of the laws of the Member States relating to self-employed commercial agents (OJ L 382, 31.12.1986, p. 17), Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (OJ L 171, 17.7.2000, p. 1), Directive 2000/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on combating late payment in commercial transactions (OJ L 200, 8.8.2000, p. 35), Council Directive 85/374/EEC of 25 of July 1985 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning liability for defective products (OJ L 210, 7.8.1985, p. 29) as modified by the Directive 99/34/EC (OJ L 141, 4.6.1999, p. 20), Directive 97/5/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 January1997 on cross-border credit transfers (OJ L 43, 14.2.1997, p. 25) should be noted as examples.
  
   
• 12. 

  . COM (2001) 66 final, 7.2.2001, p. 11.
  
   
• 13. 

  . 1980 Rome Convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations (consolidated version) (OJ C 27, 26.1.1998, p. 34).
  
   
• 14. 

  Provisions range from a specific subcontracting law in Italy and a law on payment conditions to subcontractors in France, to civil code provisions on contractual relations in most Member States (e.g. in Germany subcontracting falls under a 1976 law on the general terms of business and under a few articles of the civil code).
  
   
• 15. 

  . Case C-357/98 The Queen v. Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte: Nana Yaa Konadu Yiadom
   
• 16. 

  . Cf. Case C-423/97, Travel-Vac S.L. and Manuel José Antelm Sanchís
   
• 17. 

  . These matters have recently been examined by a EP study, drafted by a team of high ranking independent legal experts. It states with regard to the example of the term 'damage' that: The European laws governing liability do not yet have even a reasonably uniform idea of what damage is or how it can be defined, which naturally threatens to frustrate any efforts to develop European directives in this field;European Parliament, DG for Research: Study of the systems of private law in the EU with regard to discrimination and the creation of a European Civil Code (PE 168.511, p. 56). Some Directives (Art. 9 of Directive 85/374/EEC, Art. 17 of Directive 86/653/EEC) contain differing definitions of the term
   
• 18. 

  . This problem is highlighted by a case pending with the ECJ (C-168/00, Simone Leitner/TUI Deutschland GmbH
   
• 19. 

  . The Commission has emphasised for example in its report on the application of the Commercial Agents Directive (COM (1996) 364 final, 23.7.1996) that the application of the system of compensation for damage foreseen in the Directive concerning the same factual situation produces completely different practical results in France and the UK due to different methods of calculation for the quantum of compensation.
  
   
• 20. 

  . The problem referred to here also exists outside the contract law area. Thus in its report on the Regulation of European Securities Markets, the Committee of Wise Men led by Alexandre Lamfalussy pointed to problems resulting from the use in certain directives in the financial area of ambiguous notions, which allowed member states to apply these directives in a disparate manner. Final Report, Brussels, 15.2.2001, Annex 5 (Initial Report of 9. 11.2000).
  
   
• 21. 

  . COM (2000) 772 final, 30.11.2000, p. 3.
  
   
• 22. 

  . COM (2000) 772 final, 30.11.2000, p. 3.
  
   
• 23. 

  . See Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality (OJ C 340, 10.11.1997, p. 105).
  
   
• 24. 

  . Case C-331/88 Fedesa
   
• 25. 

  . COM (2000) 772 final, 30.11.2000, p. 8 - 9.
  
   
• 26. 

  . Below are two examples of national/industry associations' initiatives that aim at providing a solution for cross-border contractual problems through voluntary agreements on cross-border model contracts: -In 1999 a group of six German industry federations, the so-called working group of the components supply industry, agreed on a set of minimum clauses for cross-border contracts. However, this model applies to cross-border contracts ruled exclusively by German law (the contractual parties must agree to rule the cross-border contract in question under German law) and includes provisions on prices, confidentiality, moulds, equipment, industrial property rights, guarantee, liability, product damage, etc. - Also ORGALIME (European group of the mechanical, electrical, electronic and metalworking industries) issued a model for international 'consortium agreement' to foster cross-border inter-enterprise co-operation.
  
   
• 27. 

  . Interim Report from the Commission to the Stockholm European Council
   
• 28. 

  . Cf. Interim Report, - COM (2001) 130, 7.3.2001, p. 10.
  
   
• 29. 

  . Cf. Interim Report, - COM (2001) 130 , 7.3.2001, p.10.
  
   
• 30. 

  . Cf. Interim Report, - COM (2001) 130, 7.3.2001, p. 9.
  
   
• 31. 

  . The SLIM (Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market) pilot project - This project was introduced in 1996 as an initiative for improving the quality of Internal Market legislation, for counteracting superfluous legislation and for limiting the costs associated with implementing. SLIM attempts to focus attention on specific issues and is not meant to advocate deregulation. The work is extremely targeted, in order to be run in a limited period of time, and focused on making precise recommendations.
  
   
• 32. 

  . The above-mentioned Study of the systems of private law in the EU with regard to discrimination and the creation of a European Civil Code, launched by the European Parliament states in general terms that The existing rules enshrined in the agreements and directives need to be systematically gone over with a fine-tooth comb, incorporated into national law where necessary, supplemented in content and refined in form. They must be co-ordinated and dovetailed with each other, cleansed of all redundant regulation, inconsistency and terminological insularity, so that they can ultimately be fitted into a systematically coherent structure, into the overall picture' of a codified system.'
  
   
• 33. 

  . A limited scope of application is typical for many directives (e.g.: Directives 85/577 on Doorstep Selling : not covered are insurance contracts, contracts on real estate, construction, ... ; 97/7 on Distance Contracts: not covered are contracts on real estate, construction,... ; 94/47 on Timesharing Contracts: covered are only contracts with a minimum term of 3 years, Directive 2000/35/EC on combatting late payment in commercial transactions: transactions with consumers are not covered.
  
   
• 34. 

  . Cf. for example Article 1 :101 (2) of the Principles of European Contract Law (see footnote 1, p. 2).
  
   
• 35. 

  . An example could be the 'Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Company (SE)' on which the Council adopted a political orientation on 20 December 2000 (Council document 14.886-00, 1.2.2001).
  
   
• 36. 

  . Article 3(1)(b) of Directive 2000/35/EC provides for specific criteria for defining the date as of which interest shall become payable, if the date or period for payment is not fixed in the contract (30 days following the date of receipt by the debtor of the invoice or 30 days after the date of receipt of the goods or services). Article 3(1)(d) provides for a 'statutory interest rate' to be paid, unless otherwise specified in the contract.
  
   
• 37. 

  . Cf. Article 6 CISG.
  
   
• 38. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 39. 

  Any additional undertaking given by a seller or producer over and above the legal rules governing the sale of consumer goods offered by the seller or producer.
  
   
• 40. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 41. 

  As at 5th December 2000, this proposal is awaiting a Council common position following a first reading in the European Parliament where modifications were made to the original proposal.
  
   
• 42. 

  The conversion into one net claim or one net obligation of claims and obligations resulting from transfer orders which a participant or participants either issue to, or receive from, one or more other participants with the result that only a net claim can be demanded or a net obligation be owed (Directive 98/26/EC, Article 2(k)).
  
   
• 43. 

  . COM(2000) 167, 24.3.2000, last updated in May 2001, see COM(2001) 278 final, 23.5.2001
  
   
• 44. 

  . COM(2001) 66 final, 7.2.2001, p. 11.
  
   
• 45. 

  . Presidency Conclusions, Tampere European Council 15 and 16 October 1999, SI (1999) 800.
  
   
• 46. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 47. 

  This proposal is currently awaiting second reading by the Council of Ministers (7th February 2001).
  
   
• 48. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 49. 

  This proposal is currently awaiting second reading by the European Parliament (7th February 2001).
  
   
• 50. 

  OJ C29/11, 30/01/01
  
   
• 51. 

  Excluding those concerning the production, transport and distribution of drinking water; contracts awarded by entities whose main activity is to produce or distribute energy, and contracts relating to telecommunications. Contracts declared secret or which concern the protection of the Member State's basic interests are also exempt from this Directive. Also certain contracts governed by international agreement or the particular procedure of an international organisation are excluded.
  
   
• 52. 

  Not less than EUR5 million, this in national currencies is revised every two years from 1st January 1992.
  
   
• 53. 

  Cf. Ole Lando and Hugh Beale (eds.), Principles of European Contract Law Parts I and II, (Kluwer Law International, 2000); Academy of European Private Lawyers, European Contract Code - Preliminary draft, (Universita Di Pavia, 2001) hereafter referred to as 'the Pavia Group'; the Study Group for a European Civil Code. A comprehensive discussion, including a detailed bibliography, of the issues concerning civil law in Europe can be found in Hartkamp, Hesselink, Hondius, Joustra, Perron (eds.), Towards a European Civil Code (Kluwer Law International, 1998).
  
   
• 54. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 55. 

  . OJ C 377, 29.12.2000, p. 323 (Resolution B5-0228, 0229 - 0230 / 2000, p. 326 at point 28).
  
   
• 56. 

  . Presidency Conclusions, Tampere European Council 15 and 16 October 1999, SI (1999) 800.
  
   
• 57. 

  . COM(2000) 167, 24.3.2000, last updated in May 2001, see COM(2001) 278 final, 23.5.2001
  
   
• 58. 

  . COM(2001) 66 final, 7.2.2001, p. 11.
  
   
• 59. 

  . The 'Pavia Group' has recently published its 'European Contract Code - Preliminary draft', (Universita Di Pavia, 2001) based on the work of the Academy of European Private Lawyers. This code contains a body of rules and solutions based on the laws of members of the European Union and Switzerland and covers the areas of contractual formation, content and form, contractual interpretation and effect, execution and non-execution of a contract, cessation and extinction, other contractual anomalies and remedies.
  
   
• 60. 

  . The 'Commission on European Contract Law' (which has received a major part of its subsidies from the Commission of the EC) has published Principles of European Contract Law Parts I and II, edited by Ole Lando and Hugh Beale (Kluwer Law International, 2000). These common principles for the countries of the European Community concern the issues of formation, validity, interpretation and contents of contracts, the authority of an agent to bind his principal, performance, non-performance and remedies. The book provides text proposals for common rules and includes commentary and comparative analysis for each rule.
  
   
• 61. 

  Another important ongoing academic exercise in this area is the ' Study Group on a European Civil Code ' consisting of academic experts of the 15 Member States and some candidate countries. Their work concerns areas like ' Sales/Services/Long Term Contracts ', ' Securities ', ' Extracontractual Obligations ' or ' Transfer of property on movable Goods ' and includes a comparative research with the final objective of a fully formulated and commented draft on the areas concerned.
  
   
• 62. 

  . Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (OJ L 171, 7.7.1999, p.12). Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (OJ L 95, 21.4.1993, p. 29). Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours (OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 59). Council Directive 85/577/EEC of 20 December 1985 to protect the consumer in respect of contracts negotiated away from business premises (OJ L 372, 31.12.1985, p. 31). Council Directive 87/102/EEC of 22 December 1986 for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning consumer credit (OJ L 42, 12.2.1987, p. 48) as modified by Directive 90/88 (OJ L 61, 10.3.1990, p. 14) and Directive 98/7 (OJ L 101, 1.4.198, p. 17). Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts (OJ L 144, 4.6.1997, p. 19). Directive 94/47/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 October 1994 on the protection of purchasers in respect of certain aspects of contracts relating to the purchase of the right to use immovable properties on a timeshare basis (OJ L 280, 29.10.1994, p. 83).
  
   
• 63. 

  . Council Directive 86/653/EEC of 18 December 1986 on the co-ordination of the laws of the Member States relating to self-employed commercial agents (OJ L 382, 31.12.1986, p. 17), Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (OJ L 171, 17.7.2000, p.
  
  1), Directive 2000/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on combating late payment in commercial transactions (OJ L 200, 8.8.2000, p. 35), Council Directive 85/374/EEC of 25 of July 1985 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning liability for defective products (OJ L 210, 7.8.1985, p. 29) as modified by the Directive 99/34/EC (OJ L 141, 4.6.1999, p. 20), Directive 97/5/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 January1997 on cross-border credit transfers (OJ L 43, 14.2.1997, p. 25) should be noted as examples.
  
   
• 64. 

  . COM (2001) 66 final, 7.2.2001, p. 11.
  
   
• 65. 

  . 1980 Rome Convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations (consolidated version) (OJ C 27, 26.1.1998, p. 34).
  
   
• 66. 

  Provisions range from a specific subcontracting law in Italy and a law on payment conditions to subcontractors in France, to civil code provisions on contractual relations in most Member States (e.g. in Germany subcontracting falls under a 1976 law on the general terms of business and under a few articles of the civil code).
  
   
• 67. 

  . Case C-357/98 The Queen v. Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte: Nana Yaa Konadu Yiadom
   
• 68. 

  . Cf. Case C-423/97, Travel-Vac S.L. and Manuel José Antelm Sanchís
   
• 69. 

  . These matters have recently been examined by a EP study, drafted by a team of high ranking independent legal experts. It states with regard to the example of the term 'damage' that: The European laws governing liability do not yet have even a reasonably uniform idea of what damage is or how it can be defined, which naturally threatens to frustrate any efforts to develop European directives in this field;European Parliament, DG for Research: Study of the systems of private law in the EU with regard to discrimination and the creation of a European Civil Code (PE 168.511, p. 56). Some Directives (Art. 9 of Directive 85/374/EEC, Art. 17 of Directive 86/653/EEC) contain differing definitions of the term 'damage'. Each definition, however, is intended solely for the purpose of each respective Directive. Other Directives (Art. 5 of Directive 90/314/EEC) use the term without defining it.
  
   
• 70. 

  . This problem is highlighted by a case pending with the ECJ (C-168/00, Simone Leitner/TUI Deutschland GmbH
   
• 71. 

  . The Commission has emphasised for example in its report on the application of the Commercial Agents Directive (COM (1996) 364 final, 23.7.1996) that the application of the system of compensation for damage foreseen in the Directive concerning the same factual situation produces completely different practical results in France and the UK due to different methods of calculation for the quantum of compensation.
  
   
• 72. 

  . The problem referred to here also exists outside the contract law area. Thus in its report on the Regulation of European Securities Markets, the Committee of Wise Men led by Alexandre Lamfalussy pointed to problems resulting from the use in certain directives in the financial area of ambiguous notions, which allowed member states to apply these directives in a disparate manner. Final Report, Brussels, 15.2.2001, Annex 5 (Initial Report of 9. 11.2000).
  
   
• 73. 

  . COM (2000) 772 final, 30.11.2000, p. 3.
  
   
• 74. 

  . COM (2000) 772 final, 30.11.2000, p. 3.
  
   
• 75. 

  . See Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality (OJ C 340, 10.11.1997, p. 105).
  
   
• 76. 

  . Case C-331/88 Fedesa
   
• 77. 

  . COM (2000) 772 final, 30.11.2000, p. 8 - 9.
  
   
• 78. 

  . Below are two examples of national/industry associations' initiatives that aim at providing a solution for cross-border contractual problems through voluntary agreements on cross-border model contracts: -In 1999 a group of six German industry federations, the so-called working group of the components supply industry, agreed on a set of minimum clauses for cross-border contracts. However, this model applies to cross-border contracts ruled exclusively by German law (the contractual parties must agree to rule the cross-border contract in question under German law) and includes provisions on prices, confidentiality, moulds, equipment, industrial property rights, guarantee, liability, product damage, etc. - Also ORGALIME (European group of the mechanical, electrical, electronic and metalworking industries) issued a model for international 'consortium agreement' to foster cross-border inter-enterprise co-operation.
  
   
• 79. 

  . Interim Report from the Commission to the Stockholm European Council 'Improving and simplifying the regulatory environment' - COM (2001) 130, 7.3.2001.
  
   
• 80. 

  . Cf. Interim Report, - COM (2001) 130, 7.3.2001, p. 10.
  
   
• 81. 

  . Cf. Interim Report, - COM (2001) 130 , 7.3.2001, p.10.
  
   
• 82. 

  . Cf. Interim Report, - COM (2001) 130, 7.3.2001, p. 9.
  
   
• 83. 

  . The SLIM (Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market) pilot project - This project was introduced in 1996 as an initiative for improving the quality of Internal Market legislation, for counteracting superfluous legislation and for limiting the costs associated with implementing. SLIM attempts to focus attention on specific issues and is not meant to advocate deregulation. The work is extremely targeted, in order to be run in a limited period of time, and focused on making precise recommendations.
  
   
• 84. 

  . The above-mentioned Study of the systems of private law in the EU with regard to discrimination and the creation of a European Civil Code, launched by the European Parliament states in general terms that The existing rules enshrined in the agreements and directives need to be systematically gone over with a fine-tooth comb, incorporated into national law where necessary, supplemented in content and refined in form. They must be co-ordinated and dovetailed with each other, cleansed of all redundant regulation, inconsistency and terminological insularity, so that they can ultimately be fitted into a systematically coherent structure, into the overall picture' of a codified system.'
  
   
• 85. 

  . A limited scope of application is typical for many directives (e.g.: Directives 85/577 on Doorstep Selling : not covered are insurance contracts, contracts on real estate, construction, ... ; 97/7 on Distance Contracts: not covered are contracts on real estate, construction,... ; 94/47 on Timesharing Contracts: covered are only contracts with a minimum term of 3 years, Directive 2000/35/EC on combatting late payment in commercial transactions: transactions with consumers are not covered.
  
   
• 86. 

  . Cf. for example Article 1 :101 (2) of the Principles of European Contract Law (see footnote 1, p.
  
  2).
  
   
• 87. 

  . An example could be the 'Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Company (SE)' on which the Council adopted a political orientation on 20 December 2000 (Council document 14.886-00, 1.2.2001).
  
   
• 88. 

  . Article 3(1)(b) of Directive 2000/35/EC provides for specific criteria for defining the date as of which interest shall become payable, if the date or period for payment is not fixed in the contract (30 days following the date of receipt by the debtor of the invoice or 30 days after the date of receipt of the goods or services). Article 3(1)(d) provides for a 'statutory interest rate' to be paid, unless otherwise specified in the contract.
  
   
• 89. 

  . Cf. Article 6 CISG.
  
   
• 90. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 91. 

  Any additional undertaking given by a seller or producer over and above the legal rules governing the sale of consumer goods offered by the seller or producer.
  
   
• 92. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 93. 

  As at 5th December 2000, this proposal is awaiting a Council common position following a first reading in the European Parliament where modifications were made to the original proposal.
  
   
• 94. 

  The conversion into one net claim or one net obligation of claims and obligations resulting from transfer orders which a participant or participants either issue to, or receive from, one or more other participants with the result that only a net claim can be demanded or a net obligation be owed (Directive 98/26/EC, Article 2(k)).
  
   
• 95. 

  . COM(2000) 167, 24.3.2000, last updated in May 2001, see COM(2001) 278 final, 23.5.2001
  
   
• 96. 

  . COM(2001) 66 final, 7.2.2001, p. 11.
  
   
• 97. 

  . Presidency Conclusions, Tampere European Council 15 and 16 October 1999, SI (1999) 800.
  
   
• 98. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 99. 

  This proposal is currently awaiting second reading by the Council of Ministers (7th February 2001).
  
   
• 100. 

  . OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 400 (Resolution A2-157/89); OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 518 (Resolution A3-0329/94).
  
   
• 101. 

  This proposal is currently awaiting second reading by the European Parliament (7th February 2001).
  
   
• 102. 

  OJ C29/11, 30/01/01
  
   
• 103. 

  Excluding those concerning the production, transport and distribution of drinking water; contracts awarded by entities whose main activity is to produce or distribute energy, and contracts relating to telecommunications. Contracts declared secret or which concern the protection of the Member State's basic interests are also exempt from this Directive. Also certain contracts governed by international agreement or the particular procedure of an international organisation are excluded.
  
   
• 104. 

  Not less than EUR5 million, this in national currencies is revised every two years from 1st January 1992.
  
   
• 105. 

  De Europese Commissie kent nummers toe aan officiële documenten van de Europese Unie. De Commissie maakt onderscheid in een aantal typen documenten door middel van het toekennen van verschillende nummerseries. Het onderscheid is gebaseerd op het soort document en/of de instelling van de Unie van wie het document afkomstig is.
   
• 106. 

  De Raad van de Europese Unie kent aan wetgevingsdossiers een uniek toe. Dit nummer bestaat uit een vijfcijferig volgnummer gevolgd door een schuine streep met de laatste twee cijfers van het jaartal, bijvoorbeeld 12345/00 - een document met nummer 12345 uit het jaar 2000.
   
• 107. 

  Het interinstitutionele nummer is een nummerreeks die binnen de Europese Unie toegekend wordt aan voorstellen voor regelgeving van de Europese Commissie.
  Binnen de Europese Unie worden nog een aantal andere nummerseries gebruikt. Iedere instelling heeft één of meerdere sets documenten met ieder een eigen nummering. Die reeksen komen niet overeen met elkaar of het interinstitutioneel nummer.
   
• 108. 

  Deze databank van de Europese Unie biedt de mogelijkheid de actuele werkzaamheden (workflow) van de Europese instellingen (Europees Parlement, Raad, ESC, Comité van de Regio's, Europese Centrale Bank, Hof van Justitie enz.) te volgen. EURlex volgt alle voorstellen (zoals wetgevende en begrotingsdossiers) en mededelingen van de Commissie, vanaf het moment dat ze aan de Raad of het Europees Parlement worden voorgelegd.
   
• 109. 

  Als dag van bekendmaking van een Europees besluit geldt de dag waarop het besluit in het Publicatieblad wordt bekendgemaakt, en daardoor in alle officiële talen van de Europese Unie bij het Publicatiebureau beschikbaar is.