Almost 60% of e-commerce sites in the European Union have irregularities in compliance with EU consumer protection rules, mainly as regards the presentation of prices and special offers, according to the results of a survey of 560 websites published by the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities on Friday 22 February.
Among the irregularities found, the results show that: - for more than 31% of websites offering discounts, the method of calculating the reduced price is unclear; - on 211 websites, the final price to be paid exceeds the initial proposed price; - 59% of the websites analysed do not have an easily accessible link to the online dispute resolution platform that allows consumers and professionals to resolve their disputes without going to court; - almost 30% of websites have irregularities concerning the presentation of information on the consumer's right of withdrawal.
These results are based on the annual analysis of e-commerce sites across the European Union, coordinated by the Commission with the assistance of national consumer protection authorities in 30 countries (the Twenty-eight, Norway and Iceland).
In November 2018, 560 e-commerce sites offering a wide range of digital goods, services and content, such as clothing or footwear, software or tickets, were screened.
Vĕra Jourová, Commissioner for Consumers, said she was "appalled by the high number of the websites that have these problems". "Online traders need to fully respect EU consumer rules", she added.
The Commissioner also assured that "national consumer authorities, with the assistance of the Commission, will now take the necessary steps to stop such unfair business practices". (Original version in French by Damien Genicot – intern)