Commission to propose new framework of consumer contract law

20 June 2008

Commissioner Kuneva announced coming forward with new legislation this autumn for creating an EU-wide set of rules governing online transactions across Europe.

Commissioner Kuneva announced coming forward with new legislation this autumn for creating an EU-wide set of rules governing online transactions across Europe. “A single, simple set of core rights and obligations will make it easier for consumers and business”, she said noting that the current patchwork of complex laws which have evolved piecemeal over the last 20 years is a ‘maze of different rights and practices, from cooling off periods to guarantees that are as unclear to consumers as they are confusing for business’.

 

The project will be my most important and immediate contribution to the development of European cross border trade, Kuneva said. “I believe that the revision of the regulation on vertical restrictions under EU competition law in the next couple of years is the right time to reconsider the appropriateness of such internet restrictions.”

 

Another priority issue for consumers is to get rid of the artificial geographical restrictions holding consumers within national borders, she said.

 

Full speech

 

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