The European Commission has published its draft regulations and guidelines on Vertical Restraints Regulation (VRR) and offered more safeguards to online-only businesses than many had expected.

This is good news as it preserves the consumer’s right to choose – which is what this blog’s ethos is all about.

Many have welcomed the move. eBay, which owns this blog (but commissions an independent writer), makes the following points:

“The Commission recognizes that many products need not be sold in brick and mortar stores and has introduced important tests that will prevent potential new abuses by suppliers who may attempt to unjustifiably exclude online-only distributors.

“The Commission also encourages competition authorities to support efficient distribution channels that benefit consumer choice, and we will certainly work with Member States by being vigilant and exposing any attempts to unfairly limit online sales.”

Consumerchoice.eu is proud to have played whatever small part it contributed in the EC’s decision process, and thanks all of our readers who took part in the consultation.

We will continue to publicise any examples of consumers’ right to choose being eroded.