EU, e-business and consumer bodies agree on e-commerce

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Posted on 11 Dec 2001 at 12:59

A breakthrough agreement has been made that could lead to a common standard for conducting business on the Internet in Europe.

The EU, European consumer organisation BEUC and the Union of Industrial and Employers Confederations of Europe (UNICE) have agreed common standards covering commercial communications and fair marketing practices, pre-contractual information, confirming and acknowledging orders, payment and security, data protection, handling complaints and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Also to be implemented is an effective monitoring and approval system including neutral third-party assessment of trustmark schemes to ensure that commitments to these standards are met in practice.

Consumer Protection and Health Commissioner David Byrne, said: 'By establishing a common European standard for good business practice in dealing with consumers online, we will create an easy and user-friendly way for consumers to identify Web sites that they can buy from with confidence. This shows how consumers and businesses can work together to achieve common goals. This agreement will provide a solid basis for a Commission Recommendation that I hope to see adopted in the coming months.'

With myriad trustmarks and codes of conduct being used to vouch for the professionalism and trustworthiness of e-commerce sites, consumers are still wary of shopping online, with less than two per cent of retail sales being made over the Web. To combat this the European Commission launched its e-confidence initiative in May last year. A stakeholder's meeting in April of this year sketched out what should be included in such a European standard, and the agreement announced today means it can be put into practice in the near future.

Author: Matt Whipp