Brussels proposes new EU-wide consumer rules

Consumers should be more protected when shopping online or from the high street if new proposals just tabled by the European Commission are backed by EU member states and the European Parliament.

The plans, presented this week in Brussels by EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Maglena Kuneva, include proposals to establish a blacklist of unfair contract terms and of cooling-off periods to give consumers time to back out of a sales decision, particularly when buying online.

Through the new proposed directive, for instance, the trader will have a maximum of 30 calendar days to deliver the goods from signing the contract, while consumers will have the right to demand a refund in cases of late or non delivery. What's more, the money would have to be paid back not later than seven days from the date of delivery.

Consumers would need to be given clearer information on price and additional charges and fees before they sign a contract or strike a deal.

Presenting the new directive, which if approved would actually replace four existing consumer rights directives, Ms Kuneva said the aim of the proposal is to boost consumer confidence and at the same time cut red tape which is holding back business at a national level - denying consumers more choice and competitive offers.

In fact, the Commission estimates that while there are already 150 million EU citizens - a third of the EU population - shopping online, only 30 million actually shop cross border. Cross border shoppers each spend on average €800 a year, a total of €24 billion, the Commissioner said, pointing to the enormous potential of the internal market if more people were confident of venturing beyond their national borders.

The new rules will now have to be agreed by the 27 member states and the European Parliament before entering into force.