MEPs and Council agreed provisionally in an EU-wide right for consumers to change their minds about purchase decisions within two weeks and clearer pricing rules for internet sales. The MEP responsible for the Parliament's report, Andreas Schwab, stated that more safety for consumers shopping on line and common rules for businesses will improve the Consumer Rights Directive.

Parliament's negotiating team and Council and Commission representatives managed on 6 June to outline agreements on the remaining issues in the way of an overall political agreement on the new EU Consumer Rights' Directive.

Current consumer protection rules are set out in four EU directives stipulating minimum requirements. Also, as the original directives predated the digital revolution, consumers today are poorly protected when shopping on line. In October 2008 the European Commission tabled a proposal to update and merge current EU consumer rights laws with the dual aim of ensuring a high level of consumer protection and facilitating the smooth operation of the single market. These rules will improve the rights of on-line shoppers in particular, and hence should boost consumer confidence and cross-border on-line trade. In 2010, nearly 60% of consumers bought goods or services via the internet, up from almost 40% in 2009. Between 2004 and 2010, this percentage rose from 20% to 40%.

Among the changes agreed by the EP and the Council, the new rules will stipulate a 14-day EU-wide withdrawal period for distance and off-premises sales during which consumers may change their minds. If they regret the purchase, for whatever reason, they may return it. MEPs also agreed with the Council to introduce the costs of returning a good bought at a distance be clearly stated in the sales contract, so as to allow the consumer to make an informed choice before deciding from whom to buy. According to MEPs, this will encourage competition among companies, to the benefit of consumers. In addition, under the new rules, any good ordered at a distance must be delivered to the buyer within 30 days, otherwise the consumer will have the right to cancel the purchase. The trader is responsible for any damage or loss of the good during delivery.

The Council still needs to give its green light, but Parliament's negotiators hope to receive its final confirmation very soon. The deal will then need to be formally approved by Parliament in a plenary vote and by the Council. Parliament is expected to vote on the agreement at its June II or July plenary session.