Technical guidelines and specifications
Article 5
1. In order to support RIS and to ensure the interoperability of these services as required by Article 4(2), the Commission shall define in accordance with paragraph 2 technical guidelines for the planning, implementation and operational use of the services (RIS guidelines) as well as technical specifications in particular in the following areas: (a) electronic chart display and information system for inland navigation (inland ECDIS); (b) electronic ship reporting; (c) notices to skippers; (d) vessel tracking and tracing systems; (e) compatibility of the equipment necessary for the use of RIS. These guidelines and specifications shall be based on the technical principles set out in Annex II and shall take account of work carried out in this field by relevant international organisations. 2. The technical guidelines and specifications referred to in paragraph 1 shall be established and, when appropriate, amended by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11(3). The establishment shall be carried out in accordance with the following time-table: (a) the RIS guidelines by 20 June 2006, (b) the technical specifications regarding the inland ECDIS, the electronic ship reporting and the notices to skippers by 20 October 2006, (c) the technical specifications regarding the vessel tracking and tracing systems by 20 December 2006. 3. The RIS guidelines and specifications shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union .