4.7.97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 176/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1290/97 of 27 June 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community and Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 51 and 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), submitted following consultation of the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers, Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (3), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), (1) Whereas it is necessary to make certain amendments to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (), and to Council Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 of 21 March 1972 laying down the pro- cedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (); whereas some of these amendments are linked to changes made by the Member States to their social security legislation, while others are of a technical nature and are intended to make the said Regulations more complete; : (2) Whereas, for reasons of clarity, it is advisable to adapt the last sentence of Article 1 (f) (i) as regards the meaning of the term ‘member of the family’; {") OJ No C 341, 13. 11. 1996, p. 6. {) OJ No C 182, 16. 6. 1997. () OJ No C 89, 19. 3. 1997, p. 20. () OJ No L 149, 5. 7. 1971, p. 2. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 118/97 (O] No L 28, 30. 1. 1997, p. 1). () Oj No L 74, 27. 3. 1972, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 118/97 (O] No 1. 28, 30. 1. 1997, p. 1). (3) Whereas, with regard to persons covered by Regula- tion (EEC) No 1408/71, members of the family and survivors of civil servants and persons treated as such should be explicitly included; (4) Whereas it appears desirable to ensure that persons who stay in a Member State other than the com- petent State in order to study or undergo vocational training, and the members of their family accom- panying them, are covered by the provisions of Article 22 (1) (a) of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 for any condition necessitating benefits; whereas provi- sion should be made for a. transitional period for dealings with the Kingdom of the Netherlands to take account of the administrative difficulties which that State might encounter; (5) Whereas modernization of the existing means of exchanging information between social security insti- tutions in the Member States will improve the service provided to insured persons moving within the Community; (6) Whereas the use of telematic services for exchanging data between institutions requires provisions guaran- teeing that the documents exchanged by electronic means are accepted as equivalent to paper docu- ments; (7) Whereas such exchanges are to be carried out in accordance with the Community provisions on the protection of individuals with regard to the proces- sing of personal data; (8) Whereas the development and use of telematic services for the exchange of information has been found to require the creation of a Technical Commission under the aegis of the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers, with specific responsibilities in the field of data processing;