EU Environment & Energy Policies

 

EU ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY POLICIES

 (Two interwoven legislative areas)

 

 

Written by Nicholas Moussis, a former European Commission adviser and author of several well-known reference works on European issues, EU Environment and Energy Policies provides a comprehensive overview of two sectors destined to dominate political discussions over the next few years.  Divided into four chapters, each completed by an annex containing full versions of the key legislative texts mentioned therein, the 660-page work offers an excellent reference instrument for anyone trying to follow developments in these fast-evolving areas of EU policy.  To reserve your copy – the title is scheduled for publication at the end of April - simply complete and return the attached order form. 

 

Chapter 1: Introduction to European integration           1                                            

                                                           1.1. Introduction to the European Treaties                                                        2

            1.2. Introduction to the European Institutions                                                           6

            1.3. Introduction to the common policies of the Union                                             9

            1.4. Introduction to the European legal system                                                         10

 

Chapter 2: EU environment policy                                                                          13

            2.1. The need for a common environment policy                                                     14

            2.2. Common strategy for sustainable development                                      15

        2.2.1. The foundations of the common environment policy                             17               

        2.2.2. The principles of the common environment policy                                18

                    2.2.3. Notification, information and monitoring                                               21

                    2.2.4. Environment and other common policies                                    22

                    2.2.5. International environmental cooperation                                     24

            2.3. Reduction of pollution and nuisances                                                    25

                   2.3.1. Quality objectives for European waters                                        25

                   2.3.2. Control of discharges into the aquatic environment                                 27

                   2.3.3. Effort to combat marine pollution                                                28

                   2.3.4. Effort to combat air pollution                                                                  29

                             EU effort to curb climate change                                                 31

                   2.3.5. Prevention of industrial and chemical hazards                                         32

                   2.3.6. Effort to combat noise pollution                                                  34

            2.4. Management of environmental resources                                                           35

                   2.4.1. Protection of flora and fauna                                                                   35

                   2.4.2. Management of waste                                                                              37

            2.5. Bibliography on EU environment policy                                                39

 

Chapter 3: EU Energy Policy                                                                                             41

            3.1. The importance of energy for Europe                                                    42

                   3.1.1. The 1973 crisis                                                                             43

                   3.1.2. International energy cooperation                                                  43

                   3.1.3. Community energy strategy                                                                     45

            3.2. Internal energy market                                                                           46

                   3.2.1. Electricity and gas markets                                                                       47

                   3.2.2. Solid fuel market                                                                          49

                   3.2.3. Nuclear energy market                                                                 50

                   3.2.4. Oil market                                                                                    52

            3.3. EU energy supply                                                                                              54

                   3.3.1. Energy objectives and rational energy use                                                54

                   3.3.2. Coal supply                                                                                              55

                   3.3.3. Supply of nuclear fuels                                                                55

                   3.3.4. Oil and natural gas supply                                                            56

                   3.3.5. New technologies and new energy sources                                              57

            3.4. Bibliography on EU Energy Policy                                                                    59                  

 

Chapter 4: Appraisal and outlook of EU environment and EU energy Policies    61

            4.1. Appraisal of the EU environment policy                                                61

            4.2. Appraisal of the EU energy policy                                                                     62

            4.3. The energy-climate package                                                                               63

            4.3.1. Improvement of the European Emission Trading System                                64

            4.3.2. Sharing of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions                               66

            4.3.3. Promotion of energy from renewable sources                                     67

            4.3.4. The geological storage of carbon dioxide                                                        68

            4.3.5. Reducing CO2 emissions from passenger cars                                    69

            4.3.6. Improving fuel quality                                                                        69

            4.4. Perspectives of the EU environment and energy policies                                   70

 

 

Annexes

 

Annexes of chapter 1: Introduction to European integration                            73       

·         Annex 1.1.1. The European treaties                                                                                                     73

·         Annex 1.1.2. Decision of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States,
meeting within the Council, of 27 February 2002, on the financial consequences of the
 expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the research fund for coal and steel                                74

·         Annex 1.1.3. European Community and European Union                                                                             84

·         Annex 1.1.4. The European institutions                                                                                                              85

 

Annexes of chapter 2: Environment policy                                                          87

·         Annex 2.2.1. Consolidated version of the Treaty establishing the European Community    87

·         Annex 2.2.2. Decision No 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 22 July 2002 laying down the Sixth Community Environment
Action Programme                                                                                                                                90

·         Annex 2.2.3. Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 23 May 2007 concerning the Financial Instrument for the
Environment (LIFE+)                                                                                                                               101

·         Annex 2.2.4. Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

·         of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the
European Community (INSPIRE)                                                                                                     107

·         Annex 2.2.2.1. Communication from the Commission on the precautionary
principle /* COM/2000/0001 final                                                                                                    114

·         Annex 2.2.2.2. Consolidated version 25.06.2003. Council Directive of 27 June 1985
on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment (85/337/EEC)                                                                                                                  127

·         Annex 2.2.2.3. Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 26 May 2003 providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up
of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment                                                 136

·         Annex 2.2.2.4. Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
 of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes
on the environment                                                                                                                                142

·         Annex 2.2.2.5. Directive 2004/35/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and
remedying of environmental damage                                                                                                              147

·         Annex 2.2.2.6. Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community eco-label award scheme                                   154

·         Annex 2.2.2.7. Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 of the European parliament and of the Council
 of 19 March 2001 allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a
Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS)                                                                159

·         Annex 2.2.2.8. Brussels, 9.2.2007, COM(2007) 51 final. Proposal for a Directive
of the European Parliament and the Council on the protection of the environment
through criminal law                                                                                                                              166

·         Annex 2.2.3.1. Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament and of the
Councilof 18 January 2006 concerning the establishment of a European Pollutant
Release and Transfer Register                                                                                                           169

·         Annex 2.2.3.2. Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28
January 2003 on public access to environmental information                                                   174

·         Annex 2.2.4.1. COM(2007) 379 final Small, clean and competitive: A programme to help
small and medium-sized enterprises comply with environmental legislation                        178

·         Annex 2.2.4.2. Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing
the European Union Solidarity Fund                                                                                                181

·         Annex 2.2.4.3. Council Decision of 8 November 2007 establishing a Community
Civil Protection Mechanism (recast)                                                                                                 183

·         Annex 2.3.1. Directive 2008/1/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January
2008 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (Codified version)                 188

·         Annex 2.3.1.1. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23
October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy             195

·         Annex 2.3.1.2. Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12
December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration      208

·         Annex 2.3.1.3. Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water
intended for human consumption                                                                                                      213

·         Annex 2.3.1.4. Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15
February 2006 concerning the management of bathing water quality                                     218

·         Annex 2.3.1.5. Directive 2006/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6
September 2006 on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in
order to support fish life                                                                                                                      224

·         Annex 2.3.2.1. Council Directive of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water
treatment (91/271/EEC)                                                                                                                        227

·         Annex 2.3.2.2. Directive 2006/11/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15
February 2006 on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the
aquatic environment of the Community (Codified version)                                                         232

·         Annex 2.3.2.3. Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 31 March 2004 on detergents                                                                                                         235

·         Annex 2.3.2.4. Council Directive of 20 February 1978 on waste from the titanium dioxide
industry (78/176/EEC)                                                                                                                          241

·         Annex 2.3.3.1. Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7
September 2005 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties for
infringements                                                                                                                                          244

·         Annex 2.3.4.1. Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe                                                             247

·         Annex 2.3.4.2. Directive 2001/80/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23
October 2001 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large
combustion plants                                                                                                                                  257

·         Annex 2.3.4.3. Decision No 1753/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
22 June 2000 establishing a scheme to monitor the average specific emissions of CO2
from new passenger cars                                                                                                                      264

·         Annex 2.3.4.4. Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead
in ambient air                                                                                                                                          267

·         Annex 2.3.4.5. Consolidated version 20.11.2003. Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 13 October 1998 relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels      271

·         Annex 2.3.4.6. Consolidated version 08.08.2008. Directive 2005/55/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and
particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the
emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or
liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles                                                                                     275

·         Annex 2.3.4.7. Consolidated version 31.07.2007. Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer 279

·         Annex 2.3.4.8. Consolidated version 01.01.2007. Directive 2001/81/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain
atmospheric pollutants                                                                                                                         294

·         Annex 2.3.4.9. Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13
October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading
within the Community                                                                                                                           299

·         Annex 2.3.4.10.Decision No 280/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
11 February 2004 concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas
emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol                                                                    307

·         Annex 2.3.5.1. Consolidated version 31.12.2003. Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December
1996 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances                 312

·         Annex 2.3.5.2. Council Directive of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulations
and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of
dangerous substances (67/548/EEC)                                                                                                  322

·         Annex 2.3.6.1. Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 20 February 2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a
European Aviation Safety Agency                                                                                                    325

·         Annex 2.3.6.2. Council Directive of 4 December 1989 on the limitation of noise emission
from civil subsonic jet aeroplanes (89/629/EEC)                                                                           332

·         Annex 2.3.6.3. Directive 2006/93/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12
December 2006 on the regulation of the operation of aeroplanes covered by Part II,
Chapter 3, Volume 1 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation                             333

·         Annex 2.3.6.4. Directive 2002/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26
March 2002 on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction
of noise-related operating restrictions at Community airports                                                 334

·         Annex 2.3.6.5. Directive 2000/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May
2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the noise
emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors                                                      338

·         Annex 2.3.6.6. Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25
June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise                   351

·         Annex 2.4.1.1. Consolidated version 01.01.2007. Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May
1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora                             355

·         Annex 2.4.1.2. Consolidated version 01.01.2007. Council Directive  of 2 April 1979 on the
conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC)                                                                                         361

·         Annex 2.4.2.1. Directive 2000/76/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4
December 2000 on the incineration of waste                                                                                   365

·         Annex 2.4.2.2. Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5
April 2006 on waste                                                                                                                                375

·         Annex 2.4.2.3. Consolidated version 05.04.2005. European Parliament and Council Directive
94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste                                        379

·         Annex 2.4.2.4. Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste                  386

·         Annex 2.4.2.5. Consolidated version 24.02.2006. Council Directive of 12 December 1991
on hazardous waste (91/689/EEC)                                                                                                     393

·         Annex 2.4.2.6. Consolidated version 21.03.2008. Directive 2002/96/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic
equipment                                                                                                                                                 395

·         Annex 2.4.2.7. Consolidated version 20.03.2008. Directive 2006/66/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and
waste batteries and accumulators                                                                                                      401

 

Annexes of chapter 3: Energy policy                                                                    409

·         Annex 3.1.1. Council Regulation No 736/96 of 22 April 1996 on notifying the Commission
of investment projects of interest to the Community in the petroleum, natural gas and
electricity sectors                                                                                                                                   409

·         Annex 3.1.2.1. Agreement on an international energy program (Amended 25/09/2008)    411

·         Annex 3.1.2.2. Agreement for cooperation between the European Atomic Energy
Community and the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of controlled
nuclear fusion                                                                                                                                         422

·         Annex 3.1.2.3. Agreement for cooperation between the European Atomic Energy
Community and the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear safety                425

·         Annex 3.1.2.4. The Energy Charter Treaty                                                                                     428

·         Annex 3.1.2.5. Annex 3. Energy Charter Protocol on energy efficiency and related
environmental aspects                                                                                                                          438

·         Annex 3.1.2.6. Council Decision of 29 May 2006 on the conclusion by the European
Community of the Energy Community Treaty (2006/500/EC)                                                  442

·         Annex 3.1.3.1. Decision No 1639/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 24 October 2006 establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework
Programme (2007 to 2013)                                                                                                                 452

·         Annex 3.1.3.2. Communication from the Commission to the European Council and the
European Parliament. An energy policy for Europe. COM(2007) 1 final                                 454

·         Annex 3.2.1. Council Regulation No 736/96 of 22 April 1996 on notifying the Commission
of investment projects of interest to the Community in the petroleum, natural gas and
electricity sectors                                                                                                                                   467

·         Annex 3.2.1.1. Consolidated version 23.01.2008. Directive 2003/54/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal
market in electricity and repealing Directive 96/92/ECONOMIC                                                               469

·         Annex 3.2.1.2. Directive 2003/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26
June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas                         486

·         Annex 3.2.1.3. Regulation (EC) No 1228/2003 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 26 June 2003 on conditions for access to the network for cross-border
exchanges in electricity                                                                                                                        492

·         Annex 3.2.1.4. Directive 2005/89/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18
January 2006 concerning measures to safeguard security of electricity supply and
infrastructure investment                                                                                                                    498

·         Annex 3.2.1.5. Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 28 September 2005 on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks  501

·         Annex 3.2.1.6. Directive 2008/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22
October 2008 concerning a Community procedure to improve the transparency of gas
and electricity prices charged to industrial end-users (recast)                                                   505

·         Annex 3.2.1.7. Decision No 1364/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
6 September 2006 laying down guidelines for trans-European energy networks                  506

·         Annex 3.2.2.1. Consolidated version 01.01.2007. Council Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 of
23 July 2002 on State aid to the coal industry                                                                                 510

·         Annex 3.2.3.1. Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 302/2005 of 8 February 2005 on the
application of Euratom safeguards                                                                                                  514

·         Annex 3.2.3.2. Convention on Nuclear Safety                                                                                 525

·         Annex 3.2.3.3. Agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between
the European Atomic Energy Community and the United States of America
(96/314/Euratom)                                                                                                                                   532

·         Annex 3.2.3.4. Council Directive 2006/117/Euratom of 20 November 2006 on the
supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel                             543

·         Annex 3.2.3.5. Consolidated version 01.01.2007. Council Decision of 29 March 1977
empowering the Commission to issue Euratom loans for the purpose of contributing to
the financing of nuclear power stations (77/270/Euratom)                                                         550

·         Annex 3.2.3.6. Council Regulation (Euratom) No 300/2007 of 19 February 2007
establishing an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation                                                      552

·         Annex 3.3.1.1. Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
5 April  2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy services                                                 558

·         Annex 3.3.1.2. Communication from the Commission Action Plan for Energy Efficiency:
Realising the Potential. Com (2006) 545 final.                                                                                564

·         Annex 3.3.3.1. Council Directive 2006/67/EC of 24 July 2006 imposing an obligation on
Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products        576

·         Annex 3.3.3.2. Council Decision of 7 November 1977 on the setting of a Community target
for a reduction in the consumption of primary sources of energy in the event of
difficulties in the supply of crude oil and petroleum products (77/706/EEC)                         579

·         Annex 3.3.3.3. Council Directive 2004/67/EC, of 26 April 2004 concerning measures to
safeguard security of natural gas supply                                                                                         580

·         Annex 3.3.3.4. Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May
1994 on the conditions for granting and using authorizations for the prospection,
exploration and production of hydrocarbons                                                                                584

·         Annex 3.3.3.5. Consolidated version 20.11.2003. Directive 98/70/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998 relating to the quality of petrol and
diesel fuels and amending Council Directive 93/12/EEC                                                                            589

·         Annex 3.3.5.1. Council Decision of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme
"Cooperation" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European
Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities           594

·         Annex 3.3.5.2. Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27
September 2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy
sources in the internal electricity market                                                                                        601

·         Annex 3.3.5.3. Directive 2003/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May
2003 on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport          604

 

Annexes of Chapter 4: appraisal and outlook of environment and energy

policies                                                                                                                     607

·         Annex 4.2. COM(2008) 30 final. Communication from the Commission. 20 20 by 2020,
Europe's climate change opportunity                                                                                               607

·         Annex 4.3.1. COM(2008) 16 final. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament
and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to improve and extend the
greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system of the Community                                   614

·         Annex 4.3.1.1. Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November
2008 amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme
for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community                                   622

·         Annex 4.3.2. COM(2008) 17 final. Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and
of the Council on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
to meet the Community's greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020     630

·         Annex 4.3.3. COM(2008) 19 final. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and
of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources                      633

·         Annex 4.3.4. COM(2008) 18 final. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and
of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directives
85/337/EEC, 96/61/EC, Directives 2000/60/EC, 2001/80/EC, 2004/35/EC, 2006/12/EC and
Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006                                                                                                                            644

·         Annex 4.3.5. COM(2007) 856 final. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament
and of the Council Setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as
part of the Community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty
vehicles                                                                                                                                                     655

·         Annex 4.3.6. COM(2007) 18 final. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and
of the Council amending Directive 98/70/EC as regards the specification of petrol, diesel
and gas-oil and introducing a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from the use of road transport fuels and amending Council Directive
1999/32/EC, as regards the specification of fuel used by inland waterway vessels and
repealing Directive 93/12/EEC                                                                                                                             659

 

 

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International Film and Photographic Festival of L'Aquila

The Cultural Association L'Idea di Cléves announces the holding of the III International Image Festival:

 

- Film Festival

Filmmakers are invited to submit film works for the III International Cinema Festival.  The deadline is July 15, 2009. The notice is published on the website www.cleves.it (we transmit the annoucement by the email attachments). The Festival will take place in December 2009.

 

- Photographic contest on the theme of  "Sounds, scents and colours of nature"

The competition notice has been published on the website www.cleves.it (we transmit the announcement by the email attachments). The deadline for submitting photos is June 15, 2009.

A photo exhibition, included in the 715th Perdonanza Celestiniana programme, will be diplayed in L'Aquila from 24 to 29 August, 2009.

 

Ass. L'Idea di Cléves

 

Other contests:

II Journalism National Award "Gio' Kappa"

From: L'Idea di Cleves <info@cleves.it>

VODAFONE ’S MUSIC CATALOGUE SWITCHES TO DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT FREE MP3 FORMAT

 

VODAFONE'S MUSIC CATALOGUE SWITCHES TO

DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT FREE MP3 FORMAT

FROM UNIVERSAL MUSIC, SONY MUSIC AND EMI ON MOBILE AND PC

 

·                               First global mobile network operator to offer DRM free music across both mobile phones and PCs

·                               Customers are free to play their downloaded music on any of their digital devices

·                               Over a million tracks to choose from including a huge selection of today's top artists such as Britney Spears, Coldplay, Duffy, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen  and The Fray

 

Vodafone announces today that it has signed deals with the world's largest record companies Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music to offer their tracks and albums DRM free (without digital rights management) across Vodafone markets for both mobile phones and PCs.

 

The new deals are the first of their kind for a mobile network operator enabling dual delivery of DRM free music to a wide range of mobile phones and PCs with no need to sideload or synchronize.  With over a million tracks available from every music genre, for the first time customers will be able to play and enjoy music bought from these three labels via the Vodafone Music store* without any limit to the type of device provided they belong to the customer.

 

In addition, those customers who have already bought tracks or albums from Universal Music, Sony Music or EMI in WMA format (with DRM) will be able to upgrade them to MP3 at no extra charge within the existing download allowance.  DRM free music will be available through a number of Vodafone countries by the summer and will complement Vodafone's current music offerings.

 

"Music is central to many of our customers' lives," said Pieter Knook, Vodafone Internet Services Director.  "By Vodafone pioneering DRM free on mobile and offering MP3s on PC, they will now have the freedom to download tracks from their favourite artists without any device restrictions allowing them to experience their music however they want it, wherever they are."

 

"Vodafone has been a business partner of Universal Music for six years," said Rob Wells, SVP, Digital, at Universal Music Group International.  "This new deal shows how serious Vodafone is about music, and opens up new opportunities for both companies - but, more importantly, for consumers and artists."

 

 "We are thrilled that this agreement will provide Vodafone's millions of customers in Europe with access to music by our popular local artists and global superstars," commented Thomas Hesse, President, Global Digital Business, U.S. Sales, Corporate Strategy, Sony Music Entertainment. "Vodafone's convenient mobile and PC solution gives fans another great way to integrate music into their daily lives and forge an even stronger connection with the artists they love."

 

"EMI has long been a proponent of DRM free music because of the benefits it brings to fans and so we are very supportive of this initiative from Vodafone," said Douglas Merrill, EMI Music's COO of New Music and President, Digital Business.  "With its international reach and commitment to music, Vodafone is taking a major step forward for our industry by offering consumers more flexibility and choice."

 

- ends -

 

 

For further information please contact:

Vodafone Group

Media Relations

Tel: 00 44 1635 664444

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

* Vodafone Music store is powered by RealNetworks.

 

DRM free services will be available in Germany, Italy, UK, Spain and New Zealand by the summer.  Australia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Turkey will follow in due course, along with services provided via Vodafone's partner networks in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia and Switzerland.

 

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile telecommunications company, with equity interests in 27 countries and Partner Markets in more than 40 countries. As of 31 December 2008, Vodafone had approximately 289 million proportionate customers worldwide. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com.

 

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

 

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Records South, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; Twenty–First Artists, its full service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.

 

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.

 

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.  

 

About EMI

EMI Music is one of the world's leading music companies, representing artists spanning all musical tastes and genres. Its record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Classics, EMI CMG, EMI Records, EMI Televisa Music, Manhattan, Mute, Parlophone and Virgin.