Europe sets rules for safer shopping online Hidden charges for online shoppers will be a thing of the past, after the European Parliament passed the Consumer Rights Directive.
Backed by a huge majority of 615 votes for and just 16 against the proposals, the directive will protect against “cost traps”– now consumers must explicitly confirm they know about the payment.Traders will also have to disclose the total cost of the service including any extra fees – and online shoppers won’t have to pay hidden fees.The directive bans pre-ticked boxes such as travel insurance, and consumers will be able to change their mind on a purchase in 14 days – seven days extra than the current rules.And good news for those who use their plastic to pay online – credit card surcharges will be banned, so suppliers will only be able to charge what it actually costs them to offer this payment.”This is a good day for Europe’s 500 million consumers,” said EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, a champion of the rules.”The European Commission will help ensure that the new rules are implemented swiftly in all Member States so that consumers across Europe can have more confidence when shopping, whether online or offline.”The amount Brits spend using broadband to shop increased by 18% year-on-year, as Brits spent a total of £5.3 billion via the web in May 201, the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index revealed.
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