Brussels, 27/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - The volume of cross-border purchases has increased in the European Union but consumers are still wary of after-sales services and fraud when making a purchase abroad, a Eurobarometer study on consumer protection published on Wednesday by the Commission reveals. According to the study, 26% of EU25 citizens have made at least one purchase abroad during the last twelve months, compared with 12% in 2003 (EU15). Most of these purchases are made when consumers are on holiday or on a business trip (19%). Two thirds of consumers, however, feel that the purchase of goods or services from suppliers in other Member States leaves them more open to risks or difficulties, with regard, for example, to resolving complaints, returning goods, falling victim to fraud, or having delivery problems. The survey reveals, too, that e-commerce is gaining in popularity: 27% of citizens and 50% of people with internet access at home have made an e-commerce purchase. This online confidence has not yet developed on a cross-border basis, with only 6% of citizens and 12% with internet access at home having made an online cross-border purchase. “Consumers appear to be more confident shopping online but not yet from websites in other Member States. We have more to do to boost consumer confidence but also to help businesses overcome obstacles to market and sell their products cross-border,” said Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, adding, “we still have some way to go before the real potential of the retail Internal Market is unlocked for consumers and businesses”. The survey was carried out in February and March 2006, with around 25,000 respondents across the EU.