RosettaNet Press Release
Global Industry Organizations Release High Tech Industry's First Standardized Trading Partner Agreement (TPA)

Initiative Driven By RosettaNet, European Electronic Component Manufacturers Association, European Semiconductor Industry Association and EDIFICE

For Release October 22, 2001

Brussels , Belgium and Santa Ana, CA --

A collaborative effort led by RosettaNet, the European Electronic Component Manufacturers Association (EECA), European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) and EDIFICE, has resulted in the first release of a standard, industry-wide Trading Partner Agreement (TPA) that addresses the legal requirements of electronic information exchanges.  

Development of a robust standard TPA is vital to the high technology supply chain.   Until now, a general legal agreement that governs electronic information exchange for supply chain partners did not exist.  Legal readiness concerning XML-based e-business transactions has also been limited to terms and conditions typically found within EDI-based agreements. 

To help address this critical need in the marketplace, RosettaNet initiated a program to quickly identify and collect common TPA guidelines and define a way to standardize them.  "During the past year, we have had numerous challenges to address,” said Dr. Luca Palermo, RosettaNet TPA Program Director.   “Developing a comprehensive TPA that will gain broad acceptance is a very daunting task because of many complexities surrounding international law.   In spite of this, we are confident that a completed standard will be produced and become available for industry use by year-end 2001.”

"The results we are seeing with the RosettaNet TPA program underscore the importance of a multi-use, industry-wide Trading Partner Agreement," said Jennifer Hamilton, CEO of RosettaNet.   "The valuable work being done by industry organizations who share common goals and interests can help drive e-business solutions at an accelerated pace.   Because of this far-reaching support, we believe this TPA will become THE global standard for ensuring legal readiness and practice within the high-technology sector."

The proposed TPA helps to address several issues often faced by trading partners within the supply chain.   For example, standardized language can help to minimize partner conflict during contract negotiations.   This approach also ensures a reciprocal perspective with regard to legal issues, creates legal and contractual certainty and fosters trust between partners.   In addition, a standard TPA will likely accelerate contractual signing procedures, and ultimately improve collaboration between partners.

"New standards and Internet-based technologies are expanding the capability of the global network of e-business transactions," said Dr. Jean-Claude Morand, Chairman of the eCommerce Expert Group, ESIA and E-Business Program Manager of STMicroelectronics.   "Current legal provisions found in today's agreements need to be adapted to meet the needs of e-business.   This standard TPA will help avoid lengthy negotiations when connecting with new partners."

Working together with the core development team, program workgroup members include: Arrow Nordic, ebXML/Cyclone Commerce, Motorola, NEC Electronics, Nokia, Philips Semiconductor, Sony, STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments.   In addition, the Legal Working Group of UN/CEFACT, the part of the UN concerned with international e-commerce trade facilitation and technical standards, has agreed to contribute to the program with regard to its existing work, and in relation to standard interchange agreements and other legal tools, to assist with secure contract formation in e-commerce.

"The recognition and acceptance of a standard Trading Partner Agreement globally accepted by the e-business community will significantly reduce the legal issues and delays previously encountered in implementing cross-border electronic commerce with partners," said Alan Sture, Chairman of EDIFICE. "EDIFICE sees this as a very positive step in furthering all types of e-business collaboration and the promotion of its usage by industry forums will encourage widespread adoption."

Effective today, RosettaNet has published a draft of the standard TPA on its Web site and encourages a review by consortium Partners.   Other members of the high technology industry may also provide feedback directly to Dr. Luca Palermo, RosettaNet TPA Program Director at luca.palermo@st.com .

The six-week TPA review period commences Oct. 22 and ends Dec. 3, 2001.   After the review of the legal aspects of the TPA draft and its service-related modules, a final version of the TPA will be issued by RosettaNet.

For more information about the RosettaNet Trading Partner Agreement Program, or to provide feedback on the draft release of the TPA, please visit the RosettaNet Web site ( www.rosettanet.org > Programs > Trading Partner Agreements).

About RosettaNet
RosettaNet is an independent, non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network.

More than 400 companies representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues currently participate in RosettaNet’s standards development, strategy and implementation activities. A complete list of member companies and more information on RosettaNet is available at http:// www.rosettanet.org .

About EECA and ESIA
The European Electronic Component Manufacturers Association (EECA) is an association grouping four autonomous industry associations with members coming from the manufacturing and related industries as well as from national associations. Their goal is to promote and defend the vital interests of the European Electronic Components Industry and to support its competitive position in the global marketplace. The four associations are European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA), European Display Industry Association (EDIA), European Passive Components Industry Association (EPCIA), European Packaging and Interconnection Industry Association (EPIA). EECA is a chartered member of the World Semiconductor Council. More information can be found at http://www.eeca.org.

About EDIFICE
EDIFICE is the Standardized Electronic Commerce forum for companies with interests in Computing, Electronics and Telecommunication.   EDIFICE is a non-profit organization founded in 1986, representing the majority of the European electronics industry.

EDIFICE is a forum that propagates the developments in Electronic Commerce as well as being the source for the industry for UN/EDIFACT based message guidelines. It provides an opportunity to contribute to the direction and evolution of Electronic Commerce standards and processes that will benefit the industry and members can be educated in and avail of the knowledge and experiences of other member companies.  More information on EDIFICE is available at www.edifice.org.