Committees 9th parliamentary term (2019 - 2024)
European Parliament
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Implementation of the Geo-Blocking Regulation

On December 3, new rules obliging retailers to give shoppers the same access to goods and services wherever they are in the EU become applicable. The practice is called geo-blocking and within the EU, it is coming to an end.
Geo-blocking © European Parliament

IMCO adopted an own-initiative report to establish to what extent the implementation of the Geo-Blocking Regulation (GBR) has contributed to the integration of the internal market and thereby, to better deals for consumers and more opportunities for business. The Rapporteur is Ms Beata Mazurek (ECR). Parliament subsequently adopted its report in plenary on 13 December 2023.

The report emphasises the need to re-assess the EU's rules on geo-blocking, particularly in light of the accelerated digital transformation and surge in online shopping in recent years.The existing rules allow consumers to shop online and access services across borders without restriction. However according to the report, they must be applied fully and remaining barriers need to be removed.
The Rapporteur said: "When shopping online, consumers must be able to take advantage of the best deals and pay with their bank card, just like a local would. We are doubling down on efforts to fight price discrimination and want to make it easier to receive or arrange delivery across borders. It is also time to meet the demands of citizens by making it easier to access movies, series and sporting events in their native language. The Commission should carefully assess the options for updating the current rules and provide the support the audio-visual sector needs."