Brussels, 06/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - To support its internal digital market strategy that was launched the same day (see separate article), the European Commission launched an inquiry on Wednesday 6 May to identify possible competition concerns affecting European e-commerce markets, as announced by Competition Commission Margrethe Vestager in March (see EUROPE 11283).
The inquiry will focus particularly on potential barriers erected by companies to cross-border online trade in goods and services where e-commerce is most widespread such as electronics, clothing and shoes, as well as digital content. Knowledge gained through the sector inquiry will contribute to better enforcement of competition law in the e-commerce sector. These barriers may include contractual restrictions in distribution agreements that prevent retailers from selling goods or services purchased online or cross-border to customers
located in another EU country.
“European citizens face too many barriers to accessing goods and services online across borders. Some of these barriers are put in place by companies themselves. With this sector inquiry my aim is to determine how widespread these barriers are and what effects they have on competition and consumers. If they are anti-competitive we will not hesitate to take enforcement action under EU antitrust rules,” explained Vestager.
In the coming weeks, the Commission will send requests for information to a range of stakeholders throughout the EU. The companies concerned may include, for example, manufacturers and wholesalers as well as e-commerce retailers. If, after analysing the results, the Commission identifies specific competition concerns, it may open investigations. (Elodie Lamer)