2015 EU Consumer Scoreboard shows untapped e-commerce potential

Today the Commission is publishing the 2015 Consumer Scoreboard. It shows that cross-border e-commerce is still an under-developed market in Europe: 61% of consumers feel more confident buying online from their own country than from another EU country (38%). The scoreboard found that lack of trust, territorial restrictions and price discrimination are still barriers to cross-border e-commerce. The Commission will put forward a proposal before the end of the year to make cross-border e-commerce easier in the framework of the Digital Single Market. It will include EU-wide rules on contracts and consumer protection for online purchases. Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality said: “The 2015 Consumer Scoreboard confirms that consumers do not yet fully trust cross-border e-commerce. One of the priorities of the Juncker Commission is to complete the Digital Single Market and unleash its full potential. This is why we have to lift the remaining barriers to cross-border e-commerce.  By the end of the year, the Commission will propose new rules offering better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe.” A press release is available online.