See below the press release from Intergraf regarding public consultation on staff working document: Digital fairness – fitness check on EU consumer law.
European Union legislation on digital fairness for consumers must consider the role of printed communications, otherwise fairness will only apply to those online – and Eurostat data shows that “only 54% [of people aged 16-74 in Europe] possessed at least basic digital skills” in 2021 (DESI, 2022).
Fairness online and offline must be analysed simultaneously to ensure that inclusion and freedom of choice always apply to everyone. It cannot be assumed that the digital transition does not affect existing offline rights and freedoms. Without a more holistic approach in EU legislation, a substantial number of European consumers will be treated unfairly.
Public Consultation Open About Digital Fairness
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a Staff working document: Digital fairness – fitness check on EU consumer law. The consultation, which has a deadline of 20 February 2023, aims to “analyse whether additional action is needed to ensure an equal level of fairness online and offline” and focuses on three pieces of legislation:
- Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC
- Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU
- Unfair Contract Terms Directive 93/13/EEC
This is an opportunity to point to the important role of print, and to remind EU policymakers of their responsibility to foster inclusion instead of undermining it. Future legislation will be based on this working document, so it is vital that our sector reacts to the consultation. Intergraf has prepared a position paper and will respond to the consultation, which consists of a multiple-choice survey and space to upload a supporting document.
What Can You Do To Help?
Get your voice heard by responding to the Commission’s public consultation on digital fairness: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13413-Digital-fairness-fitness-check-on-EU-consumer-law_en. Help us to make print part of the conversation.
The European graphical sector is made up of some 112,000 printing companies (95% SMEs), which employ 640,000 people and generate a combined turnover of €82 billion (EU27 + UK, Switzerland, and Norway).
Intergraf (www.intergraf.eu) is the European printing industry association, representing employers in the graphical sector. We are a Brussels-based umbrella federation with 22 members from 21 countries and 11 Associate Members from across Europe. Our primary goal is to represent and advocate for Europe’s printing industry, working with European Union to support the sector’s competitiveness through advocacy, information-sharing, networking, social dialogue, and European projects.
