On 2 December, Ecommerce Europe held a successful end-of-the-year event focusing on “Digital Commerce for European Competitiveness”, where stakeholders and policymakers explored key issues surrounding digital fairness and the urgent need for a level playing field and effective enforcement in the e-commerce sector.
The event kicked off with the opening remarks of Wijnand Jongen and Gero Furchheim, respectively outgoing and incoming President of Ecommerce Europe. They celebrated this year’s achievements and outlined the challenges for the e-commerce sector. Gero Furchheim also laid down his top three mandate’s priorities: first, developing an e-commerce infrastructure for SMEs to continue growing in their own market and expanding cross-border; second, establishing a level playing field; third, making Ecommerce Europe an even stronger association by expanding and deepening its network.
Luca Cassetti, Secretary General of Ecommerce Europe, moderated the panel discussion on how the EU can empower the digital commerce sector to boost European competitiveness, with the participation of Isabelle Pérignon (Director Consumer Policy, DG JUST), MEP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz (EPP, Poland) and Ignacy Niemczycki (Polish Secretary of State in Chancellery of the Prime Minister). All participants agreed that establishing a level playing field among e-commerce players selling into the Single Market is crucial for boosting European competitiveness and protecting EU consumers. In light of the EU fitness check on digital fairness and the findings of the study commissioned by Ecommerce Europe, EuroCommerce and Independent Retail Europe, Isabelle Pérignon gave the audience more insights on the Commission’s future plans addressing “dark patterns”. While she stated that introducing new rules might be necessary, she agreed that overregulating would not be the solution. On her side, MEP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz insisted that the EU needs take action now to ensure a systematic enforcement of EU legislation towards all players, independently of where they are based. Finally, Ignacy Niemczycki laid down the priorities of Poland’s upcoming Council Presidency and their plans to boost competitiveness in the Single Market.
As the new College of Commissioner takes office, and Poland starts its Presidency of the Council of the EU in January, Ecommerce Europe looks forward to engaging in the coming month with all three institutions on important topics such as digital fairness, level playing field, completing the Single Market, and enforcement, while advocating for the e-commerce sector.