Contract rules for online purchase of digital content and tangible goods (Part of Digital Single Market): Implementation Appraisal

Briefing 08-04-2016

The 2015 Commission proposals on contract rules for online purchase of digital content and tangible goods intend to simplify and harmonise the contract rules on the cross-border online purchases in Europe. The proposals introduce various rules with a goal to fully harmonise provisions applicable to online purchases. These proposals try to react to the newest developments in the digital society while updating existing European legislation. Full harmonisation can increase legal certainty on the applicable rules and interest of the customers in making cross-border purchases. As currently various different national contract rules are applied in the MS, full harmonisation would introduce the same rules applicable throughout the whole EU. This harmonisation will in general, simplify and increase customer protection in contract relations conducted online and cross-border. However, full harmonisation might have some negative impact on those MS that already have existing national legislation going beyond the text of the proposals.