19/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - According to a judgment delivered by the Court of Justice on 16 December, a trader has the right to ask for the number of a payment card for a cross-border remote order before the end of the withdrawal period of seven working days provided for in the directive on distance contracts (97/7/EC). The Belgian economic inspectorate will not be able pursue the company Santurel Inter or its manager Lodewijk Gysbrechts for placing this condition on internet orders of food supplements. However, the Court says, a member state may, if it is deemed appropriate, ban traders from requiring payment of a deposit before the end of the withdrawal period. Such a ban would help consumer protection (case C-205/07). (C.D./transl.rt)