EU to shake up online shopping

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 20 Jun 2008 at 12:34

The EU is to propose new rules aimed at making it simpler for customers to shop online in any corner of the 27-nation bloc.

EU says it wants a more consistent approach to rights and practices, from cooling off periods to guarantees.

"A single, simple set of core rights and obligations will make it easier for consumers and business to buy and sell across Europe," says EU consumer commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

Kuneva claims 56% of EU citizens have access to the internet for shopping and they should not be restricted to national borders because of unnecessary barriers.

"I believe the time has come to look closely at the legitimacy of market partitioning along national boundaries, notably in online retail."

She wants business and consumer organisations to develop price comparison sites that compare prices from different countries.

Kuneva also wants to crack down on hidden charges faced by consumers buying online, and practices such as the use of pre-checked boxes for buying costly options like insurance when buying travel tickets.

The move is the latest step from Brussels to make itself more friendly and relevant to people's everyday lives, particularly after the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland.

There are also Commission plans to make switching bank accounts free and to cut the cost of sending text messages and downloading data abroad using a mobile phone or laptop.