E-commerce
in Europe
European Union countries is still often too
complicated and expensive. E-commerce
in Europe suffers from geo-discrimination:
retailers discriminate against consumers
by establishing different prices depending
on their location or by making it
more expensive to deliver to certain
EU countries. In addition, the legal
fragmentation of consumer rights and their
enforcement mechanisms are additional
obstacles towards unlocking the full
potential of what a European single
e-commerce market can be.
Moving from 28 national digital
markets to a single one is the aim of the
recent European Commission's proposal
strategy for reaching a true single digital
market is based on three pillars:
and businesses to digital goods and
services across Europe;
level playing field for digital networks
and innovative services to flourish;
digital economy.
ambitious one and involves revising and
improving regulation of many complex
areas that still need to be polished and
updated based upon emerging forms of
digital commerce.
The Commission approaches the
three pillars in a comprehensive manner,
with complex proposals that aim to
promote cooperation between the national
authorities and mitigate the existing
reaching a harmonized digital market.
Let's take a look at some of the
proposals:
geo-blocking
to a website based on their location or re-
routing them to a local store with different
prices, the proposal seeks to put an end
to such discriminatory practices used
by online sellers. The initiative seeks to
reassure that European consumers have
online access to goods and services on an
equal basis regardless of their location
or nationality. The measures will involve
both access to prices and sales and
methods of payment.
As a result of the Commission's
proposal, sellers will have limited
possibilities for restricting access to the
goods and services offered online based
on national rules to protect public order.
Economistas in 2015. She specializes in
commercial, corporate, trademark law and
foreign investment. She is responsible for
the Russian desk at the firm, providing legal
advice in cross-border EU matters.
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