By Sarah Left, 4 May 2000 15:02
NEWS The EU Ecommerce Directive was passed by the European Parliament today, and member states have just 18 months to implement the new law. Member states usually have between two and three years to either change existing laws or draft new ones to comply with directives. The EU has moved at great haste on this directive, largely due to the efforts of Spanish MEP, Ana Palacio, who guided the legislation through Parliament. The directive establishes the "country of origin" principle, which frees Web traders from the need to comply with the national laws of 15 member states. Now online business will be governed only by the national law of the Web trader's home state. The EU Commission says that will sweep away the outdated laws of many member states which have been holding back the growth of ecommerce. More to follow...
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