International

Today the vote was held in the European Parliament on new rules governing consumer protection in relation to digital content. Products involved include software, DVDs and apps, as well as online services such as those stored in the cloud. Explaining why he voted in favour of the new measures, SP Euro-MP Dennis Dennis de Jong said: “Normally the SP is very reluctant to approve total harmonisation of consumer law, because it means that in the Netherlands we can't agree any laws which deviate from the EU norm, even if this would represent an improvement for the consumer. The outcome of the long negotiations in the European Parliament is, however, so beneficial to Dutch consumers that I was able to vote in favour. With these regulations, as drawn up by the EP, everyone will know what his or her rights are, wherever in the EU they bought their software. That's a gain, especially when you consider that these products are often bought and sold online, when international borders play less of a role.”

A local authority decides to try to prevent child abuse in daycare centres by granting a permit to groups wanting to provide this service only if they can guarantee that a minimum of two workers will be in attendance at all times. Until now you could take such a decision, provided you informed the European Commission, which was required because service providers who cannot provide two workers at all times would be excluded, restricting the free movement of services. But as long as you didn't hear anything from the Commission, you could go ahead.