Yesterday (9th June) on the 20th anniversary of the agreement of the e-Commerce Directive, EDiMA (The European Digital Market Association) has called on legislators to build on the strong foundations offered by the Directive in the future Digital Services Act.
Speaking on the anniversary, Siada El Ramly, Director General of EDiMA said: “The many millions of online businesses operating in Europe today have been able to grow thanks to the key principles set out in the e-Commerce Directive. Today, on the anniversary of this crucial law, we’re calling on the institutions of the European Union to remember the important principles it sets out when considering the Digital Services Act.”
“Today’s opportunities and challenges online are different from those of twenty years and the rules must reflect this. However, we needn’t cut off our nose to spite our face. The foundational principles of the e-Commerce Directive remain as relevant today as they did when first introduced.”
In the recently launched paper outlining an Online Responsibility Framework, EDiMA highlighted three specific elements of the e-commerce Directive that should be retained: the limited liability regime, the country of origin principle and the prohibition of general monitoring.
Highlighting the importance of these principles to economic growth and recovery, El Ramly said: “The ICT digital market in Europe generated over one trillion euro in revenue last year alone and it will be a key sector in Europe’s economic recovery. If we want new online businesses to grow and thrive, maintaining the three foundational principles of the e-Commerce Directive in any future Digital Services Act will be key.”
