The trade association Germany (HDE) stresses in the recently published strategy for the internal market of the European Union (EU) the importance of a functioning and united economy in Europe.
"The elimination of trade barriers and discriminatory measures in different EU member states still has great potential," according to Stefan Genth, HDE Managing Director. E-commerce traders and brick and mortar stores who are internationally active depend on comparable and fair conditions throughout Europe.
The new strategy isn’t based on legislative proposals, but on a series of measures, which should be implemented 2016-2018. Some of the suggestions should limit the possibility of Geoblocking. “Online retailers should be able to decide who and at what price they want to offer their products,” states Genth. Geoblocking is often used for understandable, practical and economic reasons. But it is impossible for smaller retailers to know and follow the systems in the 28 individual EU states. It makes therefore no sense to force these traders to be present throughout the EU.