If it looks too good to be true, it probably is
By Zoë Casey - 26.02.2009 / 00:00 CET
The European Commission has its work cut out dealing with the numberof websites offering goods that arenot what they seem.
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© 2012 European Voice. All rights reserved.
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Fears that dispute with internet giant could be a protracted affair. |
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An institutional turf war over ICT standards may make Europe an innovation backwater for years to come. |
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Fact file
Cross-border problems
Language difficulties and a lack of faith in postal systems in other EU countries are among the obstacles discouraging consumers from cross-border internet purchases, according to a European Commission report on e-commerce across European borders, to be published on 5 March.
A lack of confidence in international payments is another reason for not buying an item in another member state via the web, the report will highlight.
A striking contrast has emerged at a time when EU citizens now commonly go online in their own country to buy items.
Helen Kearns, a Commission spokesperson for consumer affairs, says that the Commission is currently trying to understand why cross-border internet shopping has not taken off in the same way. While 51% of retailers in the EU currently sell via the internet, only 21% are involved in cross-border trade.
In the autumn, the Commission will publish the results of an in-depth market analysis, which Kearns says will be “crucial” to uncovering market barriers to cross-border e-trade.
The Commission hopes that cross-border e-commerce, which in 2006 was worth €6 billion, will expand once the problems have been identified.
Online retail sales are expected to soar in the next few years. A survey by research firm Mintel claimed that by 2012 the percentage of retail sales taking place online will rise from 4% to 6% in Germany and from 5% to nearly 14% in the UK.
An institutional turf war over ICT standards may make Europe an innovation backwater for years to come.
Fears that dispute with internet giant could be a protracted affair.
One of the biggest challenges that the European Union faces is keeping up with rapid technological change.
The European commissioner for the digital agenda wants faster progress on copyright rules, and has big plans to cope with increased internet use.
ICT could help Europe recover from the economic crisis, but more investment and better legislation will be needed.
