Consumers get more legal help

Consumers looking for free legal advice about online shopping matters will be pleased to hear that people purchasing items on the internet will soon be protected by pan-European rights.

European Union (EU) ministers have recently approved draft proposals that will affect all companies selling goods online inside the EU's 27 member nations.

If the plans are carried out, consumers will be given more legal help as companies are made to reveal more details about the products they buy, including freight charges and taxes.

In addition, shoppers will have a two-week period to allow them to return a purchase if they have changed their mind, although there will be terms for doing so.

Despite this, some have argued that the proposals are less stringent than the EU's original draft guidelines, which were revealed more than two years ago.

In addition, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises said that small entrepreneurs should be protected by the Consumer Rights Directive.

Published by Tessa Jones