Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, February 2002

Research and Innovation for Wales

The CORDIS Wales Regional Service was first launched in 1998. As of the end of January it now has a revised web site for Research and Innovation for Wales at http://www.cordis.lu/wales/home.html. Very clearly laid out, the site is simple to navigate and brings together background information, policy developments, and opportunities alongside EU and local sources of information and support.

EU @ UN

Although all EU Member States are individual members of the United Nations, the EU also has representation at the UN and works with it on a wide range of issues. To improve awareness and understanding of the EU's work at the UN, a new web site has been launched at http://www.europa-eu-un.org/. The site is managed jointly by the EU Presidency, the European Commission and the Council Secretariat of the EU in New York. It forms a focal point for the EU's activities in this area and brings together material that was previously spread across various sites. Texts of statements, policies, and declarations can all be found here together with details of delegations and directories of other contact information. Access to the site content is available through a themed approach - there is a detailed list of topics from drug control to small arms - or by using the search engine. It is also possible to register to receive e-mail reports of the latest news.

EU Direct

Major changes are being made to the EU Direct service from Butterworths, although at the time of writing this is not yet reflected in the interface. It has been decided that the news and current awareness element will be withdrawn. In practice the news and current awareness information has simply not been updated since November 2001 and the existing material is still accessible as the search screen has not yet been amended. However it is expected that EU Direct will be re-launched with the appropriate changes in a couple of weeks. The intention is to concentrate on the legislation and Case Citator sections. At present the Case Citator does not provide links to texts although agreement has been reached for permission to do so. Legislative texts are made available by linking to EUR-Lex. For UK implementation of directives, the link to Statutory Instruments only works for those who subscribe to that Butterworths service. The new EU Direct will be one standard service, instead of the previous Gold or Platinum options. Prices will start at £450 + VAT for a single user (the same price as the original Gold service but for reduced content). For 2-5 users the price rises to £700 + VAT.

The news and comment content was aimed at helping the busy practitioner keep up to date. With the demise of that part of the service users will no doubt be looking hard at what added value the service offers to justify a subscription, especially in view of easy free access to EU legal information through the EUR-Lex portal. For more information contact the Butterworths Online Support Team on 0845-608-1188 (UK only) or visit the website at http://www.butterworths.com/about/index.htm/