The UK regulatory climate
The Government's intention is to ensure that, as far as possible, the law relating to e-business is neutral in its application, providing the same legal environment on-line as it does off-line. The Electronic Communications Act (2000) and the EC Electronic Commerce Directive (00/31/EC), on which the UK Electronic Act is based, go some way towards achieving this. Both of these publications are available from the Related External Sites and Content Summary respectively.

The Electronic Communications Act (2000)
The main purpose of the Act is to help build confidence in electronic communications. The Act will help to create a legal framework for electronic commerce, both in the private and public sectors, to thrive. It:

• clarifies the legal status of electronic signatures
• gives the Government powers to modernise outdated legislation so that the option of electronic communication and storage can be offered as an alternative to paper
• provides a fallback to self-regulatory schemes that will ensure the quality of electronic signature and other cryptography support services

EC Electronic Commerce Directive (2000)
The aim of the EC Electronic Commerce Directive (00/31/EC) is to ensure that electronic commerce is as unrestricted within the EU as other types of commerce. Details of this legislation are available at The Electronic Commerce Directive from the Content Summary.

The Directive was incorporated into UK law through the Electronic Commerce Directive Regulations (2002). The DTI has published online guidance for businesses available in  Content Summary.'A Guide
for Business to The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations (2002) and a special guide for small businesses', available from the Download Centre.