Consumers buying online and cross borders are set to become better protected following an agreement between the Parliament and Council of the EU.

14 days to change your mind

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15639196/N001-110614-001-EN.srt

The rights of European consumers  are being strengthened.

The Parliament and Council  have come to an agreement

We will achieve protection for consumers

in cross-border, distance  and off-premises contracts

And if they withdraw, we have  common conditions for doing so.

The 14 days to change your mind would  be a real step forward for consumers.

In France, for example,  this period is now 7 days.

Consumers should also receive  better information about their rights,

the price of the product  and its description.

There'll be better  information requirements

and protection and more transparency  in online contracts.

On the other hand, for everything  which is doorstep-selling

there are more exceptions, so fewer  consumer rights in certain contracts.

The MEPs and Member States  still disagree on one point.

The seller or the consumer – who should  pay the shipping costs of returned items?

If the consumer wants to return a product  with which they're not happy,

If the item is a sofa  that cannot be sent by mail,

there should be a maximum price  which they are informed of beforehand.

The MEPs will vote on these measures  during a mini-plenary next week.