Adoption of agreed Regulation on geo-blocking

Further information:

The rules ban the 'geo-blocking' of buyers browsing websites in another EU country, so as to enable them to choose from which website they buy goods or services, without being blocked or automatically re-routed to another website due to their nationality, place of residence or even their temporary location.

Digital copyrighted content, such as e-books, downloadable music or online games, are initially not covered by these rules. However, the European Commission was asked to assess within two years after the entry into force of the regulation whether the ban on geo-blocking should be widened to include such content, as well as audio-visual and transport services, which were also excluded.

The proposed Regulation was adopted at a meeting of the General Affairs Council.

Background information:

Geo-blocking is a discriminatory practice that prevents online customers from accessing and purchasing products or services from a website based in another member state.

The Commission submitted the original proposal to the Council and the European Parliament on 25 May 2016. It was presented together with supplementary legislative proposals on cross-border parcel delivery services and a review of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, with the objective of making progress towards the completion of a genuine digital single market. The European Parliament approved the regulation to end geo-blocking on 6 February 2018.

The Council of the European Union formally adopted on 27 February 2018 a proposed Regulation aiming to remove barriers to e-commerce.