On Monday 15 April, the EU Council adopted by a large majority the legislative package on sales contracts which clarifies consumers' rights when shopping online, offline or for digital content. Only the United Kingdom abstained.
The package, which will have to be transposed into national law by the end of 2021, is structured around two separate texts: a directive on the provision of digital content and a directive on the sale of goods online and offline. These two texts, which were the subject of a provisional agreement with the European Parliament at the end of January (see EUROPE 12182/2), harmonise the main contractual rights, such as the recourses available to consumers and the means of using them.
Among the main changes, the package sets the duration of the legal guarantee at a minimum of two years in both texts, although Member States may introduce or retain a longer period for tangible goods. The period for reversing the burden of proof is set at one year for both texts, while again allowing Member States to extend it to two years for the sale of goods. It also harmonises the methods of compensation. The tangible goods component also offers new protection to consumers affected when 'product sustainability' is used as a selling point.
The EU Council's green light marks the end of the adoption procedure and brings to 28 out of 30 the number of legislative initiatives adopted under the Digital Single Market Strategy. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)