New legislation to stimulate European online shopping

All European consumers get a 14 day reflection period, when they buy a product or service online. The European Member States have accepted a directive that has to equalize online consumer law in Europe. Previously, the reflection period was different in different European countries. Before the Directive enters into force, the European Parliament must approve it.

The new directive should encourage cross-border online commerce in Europe, both on the side of consumers and on the side of the merchant. With the unification, the consumers know better what their rights are, when purchasing online in another European country .

Product delivery and delivery times
Besides the reflection period, there are also new regulations considering delivery times. Sellers must deliver the product within the agreed timetable. If he fails, the consumer may abandon the sale and ask for a refund. For physical goods, the vendor is responsible for any damage of the product up to the front door of the customer.

Mocht een consument van de koop willen afzien, dan zijn ook hiervoor regels opgesteld. Should the consumer want to waive a purchase, then he also needs to follow a few rules. They need to return the product within 14 days after the decision to abandon the purchase. The costs of returning the product are for the consumer. In case of a service, the consumer will need to pay for usage till the moment he has ended the contract.

Information
Webshops or other vendors that do not provide clear information about the reflection period, automatically extend that period to six months.

The directive further deals with pre-ticking options that require additional payment. Things like a quick delivery or a travel and cancellation insurance may not be included standard in selling a product or service. Gebeurt dit wel, dan kan de consument hiervoor zijn geld terugkrijgen als ze niet actief met deze extra opties hebben ingestemd. If they are included while consumers have not actively agreed with these additional options, then the consumer can ask his money back.

Cross-border e-commerce still minimal
The EU has been trying for a long time to take away the barriers for the European e-commerce market. After all, that is the idea, a thriving digital trading market is a prerequisite for the European economy.

Ten years after entering the first European rules for online retail, the European online retail is still less than 2 percent of the total European retail market. Also the new rules for webshops, which mean that there is no difference between a business in the shopping street and their counterparts on the web, were to no avail.

Source: Emerce