SEC Proposes Rule Changes to Facilitate EDGAR Modernization

Washington, DC, March 8, 2000 - The SEC has proposed rule amendments to further modernize the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system. The next stage of EDGAR modernization, to be implemented in late May, will enable several new features: the inclusion of graphic and image files; expanded use of hyperlinks; and the addition of the Internet, and removal of diskettes, as a means of transmitting filings to the EDGAR system. In addition, the Commission has proposed to eliminate the requirement for filers to submit Financial Data Schedules. Comments on the proposed rule changes must be filed by April 3. Previous modernization of the EDGAR system was adopted in May 1999.

HTML/PDF Environment
Since its inception, the EDGAR system has accepted filings in ASCII format. In June of 1999, the SEC began allowing filers to submit documents to EDGAR in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) format, and accompany their required filings with optional unofficial copies in Portable Document Format (PDF). In its release, the SEC indicates that it plans to continue to move forward with the HTML/PDF environment. Unlike ASCII documents, HTML and PDF documents have the potential to include graphics, varied fonts, and other visual displays.

The SEC is not currently proposing to eliminate ASCII format filings. However, the Commission may do so in the future, and they encourage filers to use the HTML format and gain experience with it. The SEC release requests comment on how soon filers will be able to submit most or all of their filings in HTML format, and whether the SEC should exclude any specific category of documents (such as exhibits) from the HTML format requirement.

Currently, filers must use an SEC specified set of HTML tags in their HTML filings. The SEC proposes to expand the set of permissible HTML tags to enable graphics and certain hypertext links. The permissible HTML tags will enable expanded formatting capability, while eliminating active content and certain classes of hypertext links. The expanded tag set is included in Appendix A of the SEC release. The release indicates that EDGAR will continue to utilize HTML version 3.2, and that EDGAR will move to HTML 4.0 in a future system release.

Graphic and Image Material
Currently EDGAR does not accept graphic or image material in HTML documents. In its release, the SEC proposes to permit graphic and image material in HTML filings. The SEC plans to release a modernized version of EDGARLink and EDGAR Release 7.0 to support graphic and image material in HTML documents. However, the SEC proposes to preclude filers from using graphic or image material to submit information such as text or tables so that system users may search and/or download this information in spreadsheet form. Instead, filers will be required to submit such information as text in an ASCII document, or as text or an HTML table in an HTML document.

Limitation on Hypertext Links
Currently, the EDGAR system does not permit hypertext links from HTML documents to external web sites. Similarly, the system does not permit hypertext links from one HTML document to any other document (including exhibits), regardless of whether the document is part of the same filing. Hypertext links to different sections within a single HTML document are permitted.

The SEC proposes to amend Rule 105 of Regulation S-T to allow hypertext links to other documents within the same filing (i.e., exhibits). Hypertext links to documents contained in other official filings in the EDGAR database would also be permitted.

Liability for Hypertext Links
Currently, the SEC's rules provide that if a filer includes impermissible hyperlinks in a filing the linked material will not become part of the filing for purposes of determining whether the disclosure requirements are satisfied. The linked material will, however, be subject to the civil liability and antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. In its release, the SEC proposes to amend Rule 105 so that this position applies regardless of whether or not the hyperlink is permitted by Commission rules.

Method of Electronic Transmission
Currently, most electronic filers submit documents through direct transmission using a dial-up modem process. Filers may also submit documents on magnetic tape or diskette. EDGAR Release 7.0 will enable Internet-based filing through an Internet service provider. The SEC will provide security through Secure Socket Layer (i.e., encrypted transmissions) and certificates. The Commission will permit but not require optional client side certificates.

The Commission proposes to eliminate magnetic tape and diskette as transmission options and add magnetic cartridges. The release requests comment on whether filers support these changes in transmission options.

Modernized EDGARLink
As part of the planned modernization, the SEC will release a new version of EDGARLink. The new version of EDGARLink is specifically designed to work under Windows-based operating system environments. Filers will be required to use the new EDGARLink if they wish to include graphics and hyperlinks in their HTML documents.

The release indicates that the existing DOS-based EDGARLink will run concurrently with the new Windows-based version for approximately six months. The Commission requests comment on whether discontinuing support for the DOS-based version of EDGARLink after six months will be burdensome to filers.

Financial Data Schedules
The SEC proposes to eliminate the requirement to submit a financial data schedule as an exhibit to filings. However, the release notes that, with respect to investment companies, the data may be valuable in connection with information collected in Form N-SAR. The release requests comment on whether financial data schedules should be retained for Form N-SAR only, and ultimately, incorporated into the Form itself.

Future EDGAR Enhancements
The release notes that the Commission is considering requiring additional filing types to be filed electronically on EDGAR. For example, the release requests comment on whether investment companies should be required to file their exemptive applications electronically.

Other enhancements under consideration would better enable users of the EDGAR system to identify information relating to a particular portfolio within an investment company when the users access EDGAR through the SEC website. Filings by open-end investment companies frequently contain information relating to several funds or portfolios. The funds or portfolios may be organized as series of the investment company registrant. For example, a post-effective amendment to a registration statement may contain many separate prospectuses and statements of additional information, each relating to a separate fund or portfolio within the company.

Currently, HTML submissions may contain only one HTML file. This limitation may make it difficult to manage or assemble filings that contain multiple prospectuses. Further, it may be difficult to locate information relating to a particular portfolio within a filing. In its release, the SEC requests comment on whether it should permit investment companies to include multiple HTML files in their filings. The SEC also requests comment on the use of extensible markup language (XML) tagging to identify individual portfolios or classes within an investment company filing. Specifically, should the Commission allow or require investment company filers to include multiple documents within a filing (each corresponding to a separate HTML file) and/or use XML tagging to identify individual portfolios or classes.