Skip to main content
Webshop trustmark and reviews ValuedShops
  • Increase trust and sales
  • The lowest price
  • Automatically collect reviews

New rules for online shops from May 2022

Written by Lana
 
During the pandemic, we started shopping online more, andby 2021 it was already 9% morethan the year before. Not only did Dutch web shops buy a lot, but foreign web shops saw their sales grow. But an increase in online purchases, unfortunately, also means an increase in unfair trade practices. Reason enough for the European Union to tighten its belt with stricter rules. But what does this mean for you as a merchant? You can read it in this blog!

The number of cross-border purchases is increasing

The European Union has createdguidelinesto protect consumers in Europe and create a fairer playing field between entrepreneurs in the European market. The reason for this is that the number of cross-border purchases is rising sharply. For example, foreign online stores sold over 63% more to Dutch people in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the previous year. In other countries, the rules are not always the same as in the Netherlands. In addition, it is not always easy for consumers to tell if they are shopping at a foreign webshop. Webshops are usually set up to show different languages - something that can quickly cause confusion. In response to the new European directives, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climatemade a law for webshops and platforms.The new rules will be introduced simultaneously throughout the EU on May 28. But which rules are important for you as a Dutch merchant?

The ban on fake reviews

In an earlier blogwe already announced that fake reviews will be banned. As a merchant you will be obliged to be transparent about where your reviews come from - and whether they have been posted by 'real' customers. But of course, as a WebwinkelKeur member, you already are 😉. It is your responsibility to check whether your reviews comply with the new rules. You do this by, for example, making the entry of an order number mandatory. Do you send automatic reviews via WebwinkelKeur? Then your customer's order number is automatically linked to the review - problem solved. Not doing this yet? Then it's about time! You will also have to mention that you show all reviews. Both positive and negative.

Fair from-for prices

We (unfortunately) often come across them: webshops that chargefrom-before pricesthat seem too good to be true - and usually are. Under the new rules, you are no longer allowed to show an arbitrary price when giving discounts. The "from" price must be the lowest price at which you offered the product in the past 30 days. This rule should ensure that you as a seller cannot throw the price up for a short period of time so that you can give a discount over that high price and make the price advantage seem huge. Are you selling limited-time products? Then make an exception. This also applies to incremental discounts on the same product.

Personalized offer

Maybe you show a personalized offer based on factors such as recent searches, purchase history, place of residence or other characteristics of your (potential) customer. If so, it will soon be mandatory to inform about this. You can do this with a pop-up or a notice on the payment page.

Enforcement of the new rules for web shops

The Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) and the Financial Markets Authority (AFM) will check from May 2022 whether you as a merchant comply withthese rules. In summary, the following rules:
  • You are obliged to be transparent about where your reviews come from - and whether they were posted by 'real' customers;
  • you must use fair from-before prices;
  • you must let customers know when you show them a personalized offer.
If you don't follow these new rules, it will be considered unfair business practices. There is also achecklist for consumers called 'Check first, then order'. This checklist is of course also useful for you as a webshop owner: you immediately know what you can score on!