Commission launches e-commerce package

The European Commission on 25 May 2016 tabled a package of measures to allow consumers and companies to buy and sell products and services online more easily and confidently across the European Union.

The e-commerce package is composed of three legislative proposals on:

+ Addressing unjustified geoblocking and other forms of discrimination on the grounds of nationality, residence or establishment;

+ Cross-border parcel delivery services, to increase the transparency of prices and improve regulatory oversight;

+ Strengthening enforcement of consumers' rights and guidance to clarify, among others, what qualified as an unfair commercial practice in the digital world.

The European Parliament held a debate on the subject on that same day, praising the Commission for this policy package.

This package complements two other legislative proposals on the supply of digital content and on online and other distance sales of goods, released in December 2015.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Press Release: Antitrust: e-commerce sector inquiry finds geo-blocking is widespread throughout EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-antitrust-e-commerce-sector-inquiry-finds-geo-blocking-is-widespread-throughout-eu/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/1896, 25.05.16: Boosting e-commerce in the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-1896_en.htm

EurActiv, 25.05.16: EU plans to free up online shopping, set Netflix quotas http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-plans-to-free-up-online-shopping-set-netflix-quotas/

Politico, 25.05.16: Commission’s digital day of reckoning http://www.politico.eu/article/the-commissions-digital-day-of-reckoning/

European Parliament: Newsroom, 25.05.16: New Digital Single Market proposals are a step in the right direction, MEPs say http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160524IPR28816/

EurActiv, 25.05.16: Spotify spared from Commission’s geoblocking plans for now http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/spotify-spared-from-commissions-geoblocking-plans-for-now/

EUObserver, 25.05.16: EU to relax online shopping, but not film or music https://euobserver.com/digital/133549

Politico, 25.05.16: Brussels takes slow road to tech future http://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-takes-slow-road-to-tech-future-digital-single-market/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 26.05.16: Breaking down barriers: giving consumers equal access to online products http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160523STO28475/

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