Big changes are coming to our online shopping!

The European Parliament and the European Council today (02/04) adopted new and stricter measures for the protection of consumers in online shopping.

ΟThe major improvements, according to a European Commission statement proposing the new rules, will be greater transparency for consumers when making online purchases, effective sanctions and clear rules to address the issue of dual quality products in the EU.

For her part, Justice, Consumer and Gender Equality Commissioner Viera Jurova added:

What the measures include:

• Effective sanctions for breaches of EU consumer law: National consumer authorities will have the power to impose effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in a coordinated manner. For widespread infringements affecting consumers in different EU Member States and subject to coordinated enforcement at EU level, the maximum fine that can be imposed in each Member State will be at least 4% of the trader's annual turnover .
• Dealing with two-quality consumer products: The new rules make it clear that the practice of promoting a product on the market would be misleading when it is presented as identical to the same product in other Member States, when in fact these products present significant and unjustified differences as to their composition or characteristics.
• Strengthening consumers' rights online: When shopping online, consumers should be clearly informed whether they are buying products or services from a professional trader or individual, so that they know what protection is provided in case something goes wrong. good.

When searching the Internet, consumers will be clearly informed when the search result is paid for by a merchant.

They will also be informed about the key parameters that determine the ranking of search results.

In order for the new rules to take effect, the Interim Agreement must now be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council.

Source