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What happens next?
National authorities will continue to work on the outstanding cases and in
cross-border cases will work with their counterparts in other countries.
For more details of the sweep:
MEMO/10/417.
A new sweep announced: ticketing sites
The latest sweep is now investigating online sales of tickets for cultural
and sporting events. Some 414 sites have already been checked, 167 (40%) were
compliant, but 247 (60%) were flagged for further investigation for breach of
consumer rules.
The UK authorities have flagged 22 sites for further investigation.
The main problems identified include: missing, incomplete or misleading
information about the price (eg hidden taxes or handling charges) - 74%;
unfair terms and conditions (eg ticket delivery was not guaranteed on
time or a refund was excluded in the event of cancellation) - 73% and
missing, incomplete or misleading information about the trader (eg the
trader falsely claiming to be an authorised representative) - 48%.
National authorities are now in the enforcement phase when they contact the
traders concerned and ask them to clarify their position or correct the
problems identified. See also
MEMO/10/418.
Background
A "sweep" is an enforcement action led by the EU and carried out by
national enforcement authorities. The member states carry out simultaneous,
coordinated checks for breaches in consumer law in a particular sector,
contacting operators about suspected irregularities and asking them to take
corrective action.
The electronic goods sweep took place in May 2009 and involved enforcement
authorities in EU member states (except Slovakia), Norway and Iceland checking
websites selling electronic goods for compliance with EU consumer law.
Six popular product categories were chosen for investigation, including
personal music players, digital cameras and mobile phones. Subsequently,
national authorities have followed-up on the problematic sites, requesting
corrections and imposing sanctions when necessary.
Mock web pages with examples of good/bad practice can be seen at: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/enforcement/sweeps_en.htm
Press contacts
UK authority is the Office of Fair Trading
Pritie Billimoria
Tel: 020 7211 8708
pritie.billimoria@oft.gsi.gov.uk
For more information, please contact the London press office on 020 7973
1971.
Please note: all amounts expressed in sterling are for information purposes
only.
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