6.2.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 33/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 276/1999/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 January 1999 adopting a multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 129a(2), Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Atrticle 189b of the Treaty (%), (1) Whereas the Internet offers positive benefits in particular in education, by empowering consumers, lowering the barriers to the creation and distribu- tion of content and offering wide access to even richer sources of digital information, as recognised by the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council on 17 February 1997 in their resolution on illegal and harmful content on the Internet (°); (2) Whereas, however, the amount of harmful and illegal content carried over the Internet, while limited, could adversely affect the establishment of the necessary favourable environment for initiatives and undertakings to flourish; (3) Whereas it is essential, in order to ensure that consumers make full use of the Internet, that a safer environment for its use is created by 1 () OJ C 48, 13. 2. 1998, p. 8, and OJ C 324, 22. 10. 1998, p. 6. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 29. () OJ C 251, 10. 8. 1998, p. 51. (Y) Opinion of the European Parliament of 2 July 1998 (O] C 226, 20. 7. 1998, p. 33), Council common position of 24 September 1998 (O] C 360, 23. 11. 1998, p. 83) and Decision of the European Parliament of 17 November 1998 (O] C 379, 7. 12. 1998). Council Decision of 21 December 1998. () OJ C 70, 6. 3. 1997, p. 1. combating illegal use of the technical possibilities of the Internet in particular for offences against children and trafficking in human beings or for the dissemination of racist and xenophobic ideas; Whereas consumers should be afforded a high level of protection; whereas the Community should contribute thereto by specific action which supports and supplements the policy pursued by the Member States regarding information for consumers on the safer use of the Internet; Whereas promotion of industry self-regulation and content-monitoring schemes, development of filtering tools and rating systems provided by the industry and increased awareness of industry services as well as fostering international coopera- tion between all parties concerned will play a crucial role in consolidating that safer environment and contribute to removing obstacles to the devel- opment and competitiveness of the industry concerned; Whereas on 24 April 1996 the Council requested the Commission to produce a summary of prob- lems posed by the rapid development of the Internet and to assess, in particular, the desirability of Community or international regulation; Whereas on 23 October 1996 the Commission transmitted a communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on illegal and harmful content on the Internet and a Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual and information services;