European Commission launches consultation to examine ways to remove contract law obstacles related to e-commerce

The European Commission has launched a public consultation that aims to collect views on possible ways forward to remove contract law obstacles related to online purchases of digital content and tangible goods.

Consumers and businesses are using the internet more and more to buy products, access entertainment and manage their daily life. In 2014, 50% of EU consumers shopped online, rising from 30% in 2007. 

However, cross-border e-commerce within the EU has yet to reach its full potential. Only 18% of consumers who used the internet for private purposes in 2014 purchased online from another EU country, while 55% did so domestically. And only 12% of all EU retailers sell online to consumers in other EU countries, while more than one third (37%) do so domestically.

There are a number of reasons why the Digital Single Market has not yet reached its full potential in the EU. One of the main problems identified as hindering business and consumers from fully benefiting from the Digital Single Market are differing contract rules that apply in cross-border sales within the EU.

This public consultation will collect interested parties' views on the possible ways forward to remove contract law obstacles related to the online purchases.

The consultation runs until 3 September 2015.