The Commission shall review the operation of this Directive and report thereon to the European Parliament and to the Council, on the first occasion not later than 7 October 2000 18 months after the entry into force of this Directive and every third year thereafter. The report shall cover progress on drawing up the relevant standards, as well as any problems that have arisen in the course of implementation. The report shall also outline the activities of the committee, assess progress in achieving an open competitive market for apparatus at Community level and examine how the regulatory framework for the placing on the market and putting into service of apparatus should be developed to:

1. (a)

   ensure that a coherent system is achieved at Community level for all apparatus;

2. (b)

   allow for convergence of the telecommunications, audiovisual and information technology sectors;

3. (c)

   enable harmonisation of regulatory measures at international level.

It shall in particular examine whether essential requirements are still necessary for all categories of apparatus covered and whether the procedures contained in Annex IV, third paragraph, are proportionate to the aim of ensuring that the essential requirements are met for apparatus covered by that Annex. Where necessary, further measures may be proposed in the report for full implementation of the aim of the Directive.