EU To Protect Online Shoppers

The European Commission adopted a proposal on to strengthen consumer rights and make it easier and safer to shop online across borders.

 Consumers are to be given new rights
when buying goods abroad and online, the Commission has said. About
one-third of the European Union's consumers, or some 150 million
people, already shop on the Internet. But only 30 million of them do
it cross-border, and the new rules are intended to encourage more of
them to look for goods abroad.
The EU's executive Commission
wants to tear down barriers to competition in cross-border goods and
services, offer businesses a bigger market and cut prices for
consumers. The proposal by the bloc's Consumer Affairs Commissioner
Meglena Kuneva will guarantee consumers, wherever they shop in the
EU, clear information on price and additional charges and fees before
they sign a contract. The rules will also strengthen consumer
protection against late delivery and non-delivery and ensure robust
EU-wide consumer rights on issues including cooling-off periods,
returns, refunds, repairs, guarantees and unfair contract terms.

"With household budgets under strain and purchasing power at
the top of citizens' concerns, it has never been more important for
consumers to be able to compare prices and shop around to get the
best value on offer. These new rules are designed to strengthen
protection and close the loopholes in key areas where consumer trust
is being undermined."