EC consults on slow growth of e-commerce

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the limited take-up of e-commerce and to consider the implementation of the directive on e-commerce.

Calling for responses from the public, retailers, governments and telecoms companies, the EC is inviting opinion on e-commerce issues ranging from cross-border online sales to the liability of online service providers as potentially hindering trade.

E-commerce constitutes an important means to promote cross-border trade, said the EC's call for responses. "However, 10 years after the adoption of the so-called Electronic Commerce Directive, the development of retail electronic commerce remains limited to less than 2% of European total retail trade," it said.

The EC launched a guide in May 2009 to build consumer confidence in online activities. A lack of confidence was holding back the development of the e-commerce market worth $106bn, the EC said last year.

The EC's consultation on e-commerce is open until 15 October.