Brussels, 24/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The draft regulation to ban geo-blocking as unjustified discrimination constitutes the pillar of the legislative package expected from the European Commission on Wednesday 25 May to improve the way in which the digital market functions in the EU and to help consumers take full advantage of its benefits (see EUROPE 11555).
Ahead of the package's presentation, Monique Goyens, the Director-General of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) stated "The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) is convinced that the scrapping of unjustified and superfluous barriers preventing purchases beyond borders is expected by consumers. They would be able to benefit more from a single market of 28 countries".
BEUC is also eagerly awaiting revision of EU legislation to modernise and strengthen cooperation between the national authorities in charge of applying consumer law and revising guidelines on unfair trade practices, as well as the communication on parcel deliveries, particularly with regard to increasing price transparency and making deliveries affordable.
Increased cooperation. The BEUC believes that revision of the 2006/2004 regulation on cooperation between the national authorities responsible for applying laws protecting the economic interests of consumers should lead to swifter and more coherent responses from the said authorities. The Commission proposal will strengthen the powers of the authorities, including those related to obtaining information from other undertakings such as name and domain providers, bank details, as well as help block websites that are infringing the rules and suspend the payments of companies subject to investigation. The BEUC would like the current alarm system used to flag up undertakings suspected of carrying out unfair trade practices to be open to more organisations, particularly those responsible for representing consumers' interests. Ms Goyens pointed out that "Infringements of consumer rights often occur across different countries and we must ensure that there is an effective European response in that case. We hope that consumer organisations are given a role in this process, as their expertise and the help they can provide is an asset".
Unfair trade practices. The Commission will update its 2009 guidelines on implementation of the 2006 directives on unfair trade practices, so that this directive applies to the digital environment and is subsequently rectified, given that 37% of shopping sites and online reservations infringe consumer rights, despite these rights being guaranteed by EU legislation.
The BEUC explained that these guidelines would serve as valuable information for traders and the national authorities on the way the directive is applied in all the different sectors and how it will have to be implemented by the authorities responsible for applying the laws and the national courts. The BEUC explained that "Due to their non binding nature, the European Commission, and in particular Member States, need to promote theme to ensure the best possible impact for consumers but also for creating fair competition amongst companies". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang).