Brussels, 07/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission may adopt, but only partially, the international accounting standard IAS 39, concerning the evaluation of derived products used to cover banking risks. This standard defined by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is challenged by the European banks, especially the French. This standard should in principle apply to companies quoted on European stock exchanges from 1 January 2005, with other IAS norms already adopted by the EU. The Commission's decision would be based on the opinion of EFRAG experts, expected on Wednesday evening, and would allow negotiations to continue with IASB after 1 January 2005.