Draft positioning papers and reports point of departure for policy

PRESS RELEASE 4 June 2012

Today, Ecommerce Europe, the new European organisation for promoting the interests of webshops, held three pre-conferences around the topics: e-regulations, e-payments and e-logistics. The pre-conferences took place in Barcelona, just before the annual Global E-commerce Summit (GES).

The newly established association represents the interests – on a European level – of cross-border webshops that sell online products and/or services to consumers. The so-called pre-conferences were organised in order to gauge the vision on these topics of webshops, European institutions, stakeholders and business partners who are active in Europe.

A powerful voice in Europe

Chairman François Momboisse feels it is extremely important that the new European umbrella organisation communicates in this way – directly – with its grassroots supporters, the European institutions and the stakeholders. “We intend to continue doing this every year, just prior to the Global E-commerce Summit. This will strengthen the bond between webshops and their most important partners in dialogue. But this is not all. Throughout the year we maintain direct contact with important parties who are active in cross-border e-commerce. One of the ways we will be doing this is via our new working committees. They will feed us with ideas. In this way we know what concerns exist within the market. This is necessary in order to be able to provide European webshops with a powerful voice that will get heard.”

‘Draft positioning papers and reports’

The proposed policy of Ecommerce Europe was presented in various ‘draft positioning papers’ and reports. In these documents the brand new organisation for promoting the interests of European webshops describes its vision on e-regulations, e-payments and e-logistics. The input of European institutions, company members, business partners and stakeholders will be taken into account in determining the eventual policy which Ecommerce Europe will establish later this year. Read the draft positioning papers and reports on www.ecommerce-europe.eu. 

Obstacles facing webshops

The lobby organisations of seven different European countries have joined forces to form Ecommerce Europe. Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden are participating in the organisation. Although the European market is officially an open market, according to Momboisse there are still many obstacles to efficient cross-border business transactions. “In some fields Europe is a veritable ‘patchwork quilt’. For example, legislation and payment transactions. This can be extremely discouraging for businesses when taking the step of approaching the international market. We want to help them by promoting their interests, providing advice and a good network.”

A growing number of webshops are members

According to Momboisse there is an great amount of interest in the new organisation. “Webshops that become member are allowed to carry the Ecommerce Europe label, thereby showing the are crossborder webshops who are committed to professional cross border e-commerce in Europe. The first 20 members and several business partners have already registered and we are receiving many requests for information.” Businesses that operate in several European countries can become full members. Leading suppliers of the e-commerce branch are welcome as business partner. Furthermore, organisations that feel they have an affinity with the European e-commerce industry can register as an associative partner.

END OF THE PRESS RELEASE

About Ecommerce Europe

Ecommerce Europe is the association representing companies selling products and/or services online to consumers in Europe. Founded by leading national e-commerce associations, its mission is to advance the interests and influence of e-commerce in Europe through advocacy, communication and networking.

.

Founding and participating national e-commerce associations:

Belgium, Becommerce, www.becommerce.be

Denmark, FDIH, www.fdih.dk

France, FEVAD, www.fevad.com

Italy, Netcomm, www.consorzionetcomm.it

The Netherlands, Thuiswinkel.org, www.thuiswinkel.org 

Norway, Distansehandel Norge, www.distansehandel.no

Sweden, Svensk Distanshandel, www.distanshandel.se

First business partners Ecommerce Europe:

GfK Group (Duitsland)

Grupa Allegro SP.zo.o (Polen)

Hybris software (Duitsland)

Norwegian Post (Noorwegen)

Ogone Payment Solutions (België)

Spring Global Mail (Nederland)

Symantec (Verenigd Koninkrijk)

TNT Post (Nederland)

Contact

Ecommerce Europe 

Rue d'Accolay 15 box 6 

B-1000 Brussels 

Belgium

Twitter: @Ecommerce_eu

Press Contact: Wytze Russchen

Tel. Office: +32 (0) 2 502 31 34

Fax: +32 (0) 2 514 37 22 

Email: info@ecommerce-europe.eu