Internal Market Council to focus on patents, the euro and Barcelona

The Consumer and Internal Market Council is to focus on the following topics:

• On Consumer issues:
• Public debate on consumers and the euro: Implementation of the euro, consumer perception, potential price rises;
• Age-labeling of video and computer games: The Council will be asked to adopt a resolution on the protection of consumers, and young people in particular;
• Green paper on the protection of consumers: Commission will inform the Council of the outcome of the public consultations;

  On Internal Market issues:

• Preparation of the Barcelona Summit - Internal Market questions: The Commission will present a report on 'The Lisbon strategy - Making Change Happen';
• Resolution of the problems in the internal market (SOLVIT): Commission will present "an efficient resolution mechanism to solve problems in the internal market" and the Ministers will adopt its conclusions;
• Community patent: The Council will take note of state of play and discuss this item over lunch to try to come to a political agreement on 21 May;
• Utility model: The Council will be briefed on the state of the dossier;
• Software patents: The Commission will present its recent proposal on this topic;
• European Company Statute: the Council Presidency will present a report on this topic, a political agreement is hoped for by 21 May;
• Standardisation in Europe: Council should approve conclusions of the Commission on the implementation of the Council Resolution of 2 October 1999 on standardisation in Europe.