E-Commerce
Online business & distance selling
E-commerce is now one of the most important parts of the internet, and covers all electronic transactions like email, internet and SMS. Direct e-commerce consists of goods and services being delivered online such as advice or downloads, whereas indirect e-commerce is where services and goods are delivered off-line instead, such as CDs from Amazon.
A greater and greater number of businesses make their financial transactions online as it enables them to exchange services and goods instantaneously over distances and minimises admin costs and overheads. E-commerce brings convenience and financial savings to both the business and customer but raises challenges to the enforcement of contracts and the protection of the interests of the customer.
The EU has adopted a range of directives like the 1995 Data Protection Directive, the 1997 Distance Contracts Directive and the 2000 E-Commerce Directive to protect consumers and aid the development of e-commerce.
Primary e-commerce regulations
These three regulations are the most important in conducting e-commerce.
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Consumer Protection Regulations 2000 (amended 2005) – often known as ‘Distance Selling Regulations’
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Electronic Signatures Regulations 2002
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The Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002 – often known as 'E-commerce Regulations'
Additionally, businesses must also comply with the law concerning traditional real world transactions like the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to name a few.
Making the most of e-commerce
E-commerce is the common term used to refer to any electronic commerce that is done over the internet, which is regulated in various ways.
Coping with e-commerce regulations
E-commerce is the common term used to refer to commercial activities on the internet, including buying, selling and advertising goods.
Inside e-commerce
E-Commerce is the term used to describe how the flow of economics functions on the World Wide Web, with sales and purchases online.