23.4.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 105/35 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 415/2007 of 13 March 2007 concerning the technical specifications for vessel tracking and tracing systems referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2005/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on harmonised river information services (RIS) on inland waterways in the Community THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, Having regard to Directive 2005/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on harmonised river information services (RIS) on inland waterways in the Community (%), and in particular Article 5 thereof, Whereas: (1) In accordance with Article 1(2) of Directive 2005/44/EC, RIS shall be developed and implemented in a harmonised, interoperable and open way. (2) In accordance with Article 5 of Directive 2005/44/[EC, technical specifications for vessel tracking and tracing systems shall be defined. (3) The technical specifications for vessel tracking and tracing systems shall be based on technical principles set out in Annex II to the Directive. (4) In accordance with Article 1(2) of the Directive, the technical specifications shall take due account of the work carried out by international organisations. Continuity shall be ensured with other modal traffic management services, in particular maritime vessel traffic management and information services. (5)  They shall take further due account of the work carried out by the expert group on vessel tacking and tracing which is composed of representatives of the competent authorities for the implementation of vessel tracking and tracing systems, and official members from other governmental bodies and observers from the industry. (6) The technical specifications, which are the subject of this Regulation, correspond to the current state of the art. Experiences gained from the application of Directive 2005/44/[EC as well as future technical progress may make it necessary to amend the technical specifications in accordance  with  Article ~ 5(2)  of  Directive 2005/44/EC. Amendments to the technical specifications shall take due account of the work carried out by the expert group on vessel tracking and tracing. (7)  The draft technical specifications have been examined by the Committee referred to in Article 11 of Directive 2005/44/EC. (8) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 11 of Directive 2005/44/EC, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGUALTION: Article 1 This Regulation defines the technical specifications for vessel tracking and tracing systems in inland waterway transport. The technical specifications are set out in the Annex to this Regulation. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 13 March 2007. () OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 152. For the Commission Jacques BARROT Vice-President