EU Digital Single Market: Better Access to Online Goods and Services

Impact of the scientific-and-technological advance on the modification of commercial variety of goods and organization of forms and methods of trade is one of the most important conditions for the market environment change. The study of the situation in the field of trade in goods and services via the Internet made by the European Commission (the EC) revealed significant problems hampering the industrial development, innovation and further European integration. To remedy the situation, the EC proposed to provide better access for consumers and businesses to online goods and services across Europe. This is one of three pillars envisaged by the Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe. The task is carried out through developing rules of conducting cross-border e-commerce to make it easier, ensuring a more efficient and affordable parcel delivery, preventing unjustified geo-blocking of access to goods and services, providing better access to digital content with parallel improving European copyright framework, reducing VAT related burdens. Measures proposed by the European Commission are to be implemented in 2015-2016.