European Commission proposes the 28th regime as alternative to national laws

The European Commission has proposed a new law spanning the European Union which would aim to increase cross-border trade. In 2008, only 7% of web site transaction were made cross-borders. Viviane Reding, the Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Commissioner, has blamed the lack of uniformity for that. Giving her assessment, she said, ‘The EU must do better.’ She would like business-to-consumer relationships to be made simpler by offering an alternative to the 27 different national regimes. Under the 28^th regime, a business would simply need to comply with the new EU-wide set of rules. She compared the situation to the US and said Europe could have a uniform commercial code in order to become a truly globally competitive economy.