Brussels, 12/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - Consumer Protection and Health Commissioner David Byrne has welcomed the agreement between consumer and business representatives on good business practice for selling to consumers online. The agreement paves the way for a common European standard that will enable consumers and business to take full advantage of electronic commerce in Europe and to make better use of the internal market. The standards agreed cover issues such as commercial communications and fair marketing practices, pre-contractual information, confirming and acknowledging orders, payment and security, data protection, handling complaints and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. They are coupled with an effective monitoring and approval system including neutral third party assessment of trustmark schemes to ensure that commitments to these standards are met in practice. The next steps will be for the stakeholders and the Commission to make sure that all the necessary elements are in place to put the scheme into practice.