The European Parliament has approved stricter rules to protect consumers when shopping online. Dangerous products must be phased out more quickly and recalls more effective, the EU parliament announced in Brussels on Thursday. The EU countries still have to agree, but that is considered a formality. Online marketplaces should therefore work more closely with market surveillance authorities.
In the future, products originating from countries outside the EU can only be placed on the market if there is an “economic operator” established in the European Union who is responsible for their safety. This means that consumers or market regulators must have a contact person in the EU. Under the new rules, information on the safety of the products must be provided in clear and easily understandable language.
In the case of recalls, buyers should not only be informed of the recall, but should be offered two remedies. Claims such as a right to repair, replacement or reimbursement of costs are then possible, at least to the amount of the original price – even if the legal guarantee has expired.
The new regulations are designed to counter security risks associated with new technologies and increasing online sales, it said.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
