On 4 January 2023 Avvenire, one of Italy’s national daily newspapers, published an article by Antonio Petrucci on the Omnibus Directive, the new European rules protecting online shoppers. The article, titled “La direttiva Omnibus tutela i consumatori su recensioni e sconti sospetti” (The Omnibus Directive protects consumers from suspicious reviews and discounts), also appeared in the print edition of 11 January 2023.
I was interviewed for the article as an advertising specialist and as a collaborator of AICEL, the Italian e-commerce association.
What the Omnibus Directive changes
In Italy the directive was introduced by Law no. 127 of 4 August 2022, published in the Official Gazette on 26 August 2022 and in force since 10 September 2022. It brings new protections for consumers who buy online. Among the main points covered in the article:
- clearer rules on price reductions: discounts must refer to the lowest price applied in the previous 30 days;
- product reviews: sellers must explain whether and how they check that reviews come from people who actually bought the product;
- more transparency on search rankings inside marketplaces and platforms;
- harmonised sanctions for unfair commercial practices across EU member states.
My view
In the interview I explained why I see the new rules as good news for the whole sector. A clearer legal framework was badly needed, both for reviews and for the “jungle” of discounts. Running an e-commerce business means high costs and a huge amount of work, and the many rules involved are too often taken lightly. The Omnibus Directive finally gives a clear reference point on aspects that are often underestimated, such as discounts and the authenticity of reviews. As I put it in the article: «È ora che gli operatori inizino a “pensare in grande”» (it is time for online sellers to start “thinking big”).
You can read the full article (in Italian) on avvenire.it.