Press Release: Commission seeks to protect EU businesses against scams and unfair practices

Small businesses around Europe are being harmed by rogue traders who use unfair practices, such as misleading advertising. The fraudsters hide behind national borders and exploit the vulnerability of companies – especially the small ones – when doing business in other EU countries. Professionals – such as doctors or lawyers – and civil society organisations can also be victims.

To better protect them, the European Commission is launching a public consultation to gather more information from companies and others affected on the nature and scale of the unfair practices, including online scams. Following the consultation, the Commission will then assess how best to stop rogue traders exploiting loopholes in the rules and make sure that legitimate traders are effectively protected.