Brussels 26 March 1999

Dear Secretary,

"US Perspectives on Consumer Protection in the Global Electronic Marketplace - comment, P994312."

I have pleasure in submitting, on behalf of the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA), comments to the Federal Trade Commission in response to the initial notice requesting academic papers and public comment for the forthcoming public workshop: U.S. Perspectives on Consumer Protection in the Global Electronic marketplace. This paper represents the current status of the EASA Internet Working Group on the application of self-regulatory principles for the Internet. Further discussion with the advertising industry at large will be undertaken in the coming months.

The EASA is a non-profit making organisation based in Brussels, Belgium which is the co-ordination point for the views of national advertising self-regulatory bodies across Europe. The Alliance has 27 members, 24 of these are from 22 European countries including all the Member States of the European Union (EU), Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic and Hungary.

I enclose 6 hard copies of each of the following:

• EASA response;
• Appendix 1: List of EASA Members and associated industry trade and professional bodies;
• Appendix 2: Pamphlet: 'How to Make a Cross-Border Complaint';
• Appendix 3: Examples of Internet Cross-border complaints;
• Appendix 4: Publication: 'Advertising Self-regulation in Europe';
• Appendix 5: EASA Internet Working Group;
• Fact sheet: 'What is the European Advertising Standards Alliance'.

Thanking you in advance for the opportunity of being able to contribute to the forthcoming workshop.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Alliance Secretariat.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Oliver Gray
EASA Director-General