Revision of the 2000 Directive
- With its “2020 strategy” initiative, the European Commission planned to review the 2000 e-commerce Directive. It will rely on last autumn’s public consultation. It highlighted new topics for the legislator, such as the development of online press, the commercial communication and advertising of regulated professions (health sector, lawyers, etc.), the liability of Internet intermediaries, etc.
- The Commission should soon communicate on this topic. In particular, it is expected to focus on the yet limited development of e-commerce in the European “internal market”. This action will further on be completed with the adoption of an online dispute resolution system for issue concerning e-commerce transactions EU-wide.
- In addition, the 2008 Consumer Rights Directive is still being discussed in the European Parliament and Council. This draft will be debated and updated. It aims to add in new rules on pre-contractual information for distant transactions, including online contracts, on a European level. The Parliament should vote on the draft proposals in March 2011.