EU consumer protection laws come into force
CONSUMERS will no longer face hefty surcharges on card payments and pre-ticked boxes on websites will be banned under a raft of new measures brought in by the European Commission today.
The consumer rights directive, which must be implemented by June 2014, will force all retailers across the EU member states selling goods online or through other non-store channels to give clearer price information and provide shoppers with longer cooling-off periods to cancel orders or return goods.
Research by law firm Eversheds released yesterday shows that 71 per cent of 200 business leaders surveyed welcomed the changes and agreed that new laws were need to bring outdated legislation in line with the rise of online and digital downloading.
However, before being informed, two thirds (64 per cent) were unaware of the proposed changes.
“Many businesses appear to be unaware of what is coming and unsure of the impact it will have on their businesses. Ignorance is bliss at the moment, with only 26 per cent expressing concern about the impact this change will have,” Eversheds partner Matthew Gough, said.