CP079 - ETNO Common Position on the draft “Directive on the identification and designation of European Critical Infrastructure” and the report on “Availability and Robustness of Electronic Communications Infrastructures”

ETNO welcomes the Commission’s initiatives that will lead to a common approach at EU level and better protection of ECI. The position paper highlights the importance of coherent action across all sectors and countries, the need to respect proportionality and complementarities and to create a level playing field among all operators. ETNO supports all ten recommendations proposed in the ARECI study, except number seven on standardisation that should remain an industry-lead activity.

ETNO Members have a longstanding experience of operating business continuity plans and cooperating with national authorities on critical infrastructure protection. Although the latter is most and foremost a national responsibility, ETNO welcomes the Commission’s initiatives that will lead to a common approach at EU level and better protection of ECI. The current position paper highlights the importance of coherent action across all sectors and countries, the need to respect proportionality and complementarities and to create a level playing field among all operators. Special attention is drawn to the protection of customer owned and  co-located infrastructure. ETNO supports all ten recommendations proposed in the ARECI study, except number seven on standardisation that should remain an industry-lead activity.