Endorsement of informal agreement on proposed Regulation concerning geoblocking

Further information:

The agreement brings to an end unjustified geoblocking for consumers wishing to buy products or services online with the European Union. The rules aim to boost eCommerce for the benefit of consumers and businesses.

The proposal defines three specific situations where no justification and no objective criteria for a different treatment between customers from different Member States are conceivable from the outset. These are the sale of goods, the sale of electronically supplied services and the sale of services provided in a specific physical location.

The proposed Regulation does not impose an obligation to sell and does not harmonise prices. It does however address discrimination in access to goods and services in cases where it cannot be objectively justified.

Background information:

The draft law was adopted by the European Commission in May 2016 in the framework of the Digital Single Market strategy and as part of a so-called 'eCommerce package'. The Council of the European Union approved its stance on the proposal in November 2016, while the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position in April 2017. The informal agreement was reached on 20 November 2017.

The Council of the European Union's Committee of Permanent Representatives endorsed on 29 November 2017 the informal agreement reached with the European Parliament on a compromise text concerning a proposed Regulation addressing geoblocking.