The UK catalogue and e-commerce industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief after the EU scrapped “devastating” plans to force retailers to sell into all countries within the EU and offer free returns.
The controversial proposal, which would have seen online retailers forced to pay consumers’ costs when they returned goods worth €40 or more, has failed to clear the European Parliament.
The proposal was one of a number of suggested amendments to the European Consumer Rights Directive, which is currently going through the European Parliament, that were put forward by MEPs. It sparked a major lobbying campaign by the UK online retail industry trade association IMRG, as well as The Catalogue Exchange (CatEx), which described the move as “potentially devastating”.
In a campaign letter, CatEx called on the Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee to urgently reconsider the proposed amendments and take its views on board. CatEx members have also lobbied their own MEPs to express their concerns. And in the face of the opposition, the move failed to win support from the European Council.
But a number of new rules on online retail are still expected to be approved by the European Parliament this week. They include a new regulation that will extend consumers’ right to change their mind about a purchase made through distance selling from seven to 14 days, which was also opposed by IMRG. Digital goods such as music and films will not be covered by the rule. If retailers fail to inform the consumer of this right, the consumer’s right to withdraw from the purchase will automatically be extended to a year.
Other changes include the extension of the right to return goods to auction-style sites, but only where the purchase was made from a professional seller. In addition, deliveries must now be made within 30 days of purchase or the buyer will have the right to cancel the purchase. And hidden charges, such as pre-ticked boxes, will also be outlawed, with the buyer required to knowingly accept the total price before making a purchase.
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