To ensure the future success of this Directive and in the light of extending the Framework to new product groups it will be crucial to build on the knowledge which consumers already have about the A-G label and, thus, this label format should remain the basis that will inform consumers about the energy efficiency of the products.

Innovative approaches in areas such as public transport, the organization of public space and the protection of borders can be envisaged. Space, offers great scope for high technology innovation over time (in particular public investors in the application of Galileo [17] and GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), the Commission's flagship space programmes. These need to share their knowledge of the system and its scope for business with potential downstream users in the space and non-space sectors, to raise their awareness of ...[+++]potential space-based solutions). Transport, where the demand for energy efficiency provides great opportunities. Marine technologies and products allowing for new uses of the sea such as deep sea drilling, blue biotech exploitation, offshore mariculture and renewable energies, ocean space monitoring and surveillance technologies offer promising scope. Health, which has a huge growth potential for innovative products and services (including in particular e-Health, and the provision of customized solutions to allow elderly people to continue to live independently, pharmaceuticals and medical devices where innovation can bring direct benefits to patients and improve competitiveness), or well-being and culture (for instance creative content services, which gain a new dimension with the rollout of broadband networks, allowing citizens and businesses to access all kind of creative contents such as audiovisual, games, cultural information at home and in mobility) are examples of markets where the public sector has a role to play.

Innovative approaches in areas such as public transport, the organization of public space and the protection of borders can be envisaged. Space, offers great scope for high technology innovation over time (in particular public investors in the application of Galileo [17] and GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), the Commission's flagship space programmes. These need to share their knowledge of the system and its scope for business with potential downstream users in the space and non-space sectors, to raise their awareness of ...[+++]potential space-based solutions). Transport, where the demand for energy efficiency provides great opportunities. Marine technologies and products allowing for new uses of the sea such as deep sea drilling, blue biotech exploitation, offshore mariculture and renewable energies, ocean space monitoring and surveillance technologies offer promising scope. Health, which has a huge growth potential for innovative products and services (including in particular e-Health, and the provision of customized solutions to allow elderly people to continue to live independently, pharmaceuticals and medical devices where innovation can bring direct benefits to patients and improve competitiveness), or well-being and culture (for instance creative content services, which gain a new dimension with the rollout of broadband networks, allowing citizens and businesses to access all kind of creative contents such as audiovisual, games, cultural information at home and in mobility) are examples of markets where the public sector has a role to play.

Further progress has been made on the education/training front, focusing on the three priorities set out in the recommendations: effective application of the framework law on continuing vocational training (in 2001, 50% increase in applications for approval and State co-financing); action against school dropouts through different measures involving support, programmes and certification; review of the apprenticeship and training system, with the introduction of a general concept of lifelong learning, validation and certification of achievements, extension of basic ...[+++] vocational training and occupational reintegration.

The Fifth [28] and Sixth [29] Community Research Framework Programmes will contribute to this by enhancing knowledge of environmental processes, providing base data and measuring systems and developing feasible solutions for greener products.

(27) Whereas the United Kingdom put forward a first proposal for an export certified herds scheme to the Commission on 25 February 1997; whereas the Scientific Veterinary Committee concluded at its meeting of 11 June 1997 that that proposal was not adequate; whereas the United Kingdom put forward a modified proposal dated 1 July 1997; whereas the Scientific Veterinary Committee issued an opinion on that revised proposal on 17 September 1997 stating that the major obstacle to approving the scheme for the entire territory of the United Kingdom was the lack of a comprehensive computerised movement and tracing system and associated database for live cattle in ...[+++]Great Britain but that an adequate system did appear to exist in Northern Ireland; whereas the Committee concluded furthermore that small modifications could be made to minor aspects of the scheme at the request of the competent Commission departments in order to comply with certification or control requirements; whereas the Food and Veterinary Office conducted a feasibility inspection in Northern Ireland from 3 to 7 November 1997; whereas the United Kingdom has agreed to further improvements in line with the recommendations made following that inspection; whereas, therefore, a partial lifting of the prohibition on the dispatch of products from bovine animals slaughtered in Northern Ireland is appropriate;