03/02/2023 (Agence Europe) – The text of the provisional interinstitutional agreement on the new directive on credit agreements in the digital age, which was concluded on 2 December under the Czech Presidency, is proving difficult for the technical teams responsible for finalising (see EUROPE 13076/3). The interpretation of a provision on deferred payments is the cause, according to a diplomatic source. Without confirming this, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council told EUROPE on Friday 3 February that the finalisation work initiated under the Czech Presidency will continue at technical level from mid-February. As a reminder, this directive aims to prevent consumer over-indebtedness and to create an internal market for credit through harmonised conditions for credit companies. It updates and will repeal the obsolete Consumer Credit Directive 2008/48/EC. (AN)