Business is seriously concerned that recent legislative developments on a draft EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices have undermined the original intentions of the European Commission to enhance legal certainty and confidence in cross-border trade.

The proposed directive was tabled to harmonize and simplify existing rules on unfair commercial practices which allegedly cause distortions in the European market. This would provide legal certainty and a common high level of consumer protection that would boost consumer and business confidence in the internal market thereby stimulating economic growth.

Business supports these good intentions. However, ICC, UNICE and EuroCommerce, representing business at both European and international level, consider that the text agreed in first reading runs counter to the above objectives and puts legal certainty and genuine harmonization at serious risk.

Business deeply regrets the political decision to remove the country of origin principle which was critical to provide companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, with legal certainty.

In view of the second reading in the European Parliament, it is paramount that the necessary changes are made to ensure that the directive truly harmonizes the rules targeted and secures at least the minimum level of legal certainty required for companies to carry out their day-to-day business. The undersigned organizations have offered practical suggestions for achieving this objective.

UNICE, Eurocommerce and ICC call again on the EU institutions to respect the spirit of the original proposal by ensuring that it has the means to genuinely improve the functioning of the internal market for the benefit of consumers and companies alike. The objectives pursued as part of the Lisbon Strategy should not be forgotten when a chance is offered to move forward with action.

For further information please contact:

ICC
Elizabeth Thomas-Raynaud
Tel: +33 (0) 1 49532807
E-mail: Click here to send a mail 
Website: www.iccwbo.org

UNICE
Maria Fernanda Fau
Tel: +32(0)2 237.65.62
E-mail: Click here to send a mail
Website: www.unice.org

EuroCommerce
Patrice Pellegrino / Mario M¼ller
Tel: +32 (0)2 737 05 85
E-mail: Click here to send a mail
Website: www.eurocommerce.be