Radio equipment and telecommunication terminal equipment and mutual recognition of their conformity

Replying to the rapporteur who wanted to replace the existing national regulations with a uniform and simplified licensing procedure, Commissioner Bangemann said that he preferred to leave manufacturers room for manoeuvre rather than impose mandatory standards. However, as regards radio equipment, he acknowledged the lack of harmonisation but considered that it was primarily up to the Member States to harmonise their systems. He also agreed that the use of telecommunications by disabled people should be improved but considered that it was primarily up to manufacturers to make new equipment available. As for liability, he added that this was shared by both manufacturers and importers. The Commissioner accepted 9 of the 23 amendments: namely Nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 17 and 18. He also partially accepted Amendments Nos 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23. However, he rejected Amendments Nos 6, 7, 11 and 19.