Europaudvalget 2022-23 (2. samling)
EUU Alm.del
Offentligt
2661088_0001.png
Bilag 1a
From:
Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Sent:
Thursday, March 19, 2020 2:57 PM
To:
Subject:
Printed advertisements - the green agenda
Dear
I write to you on behalf of the Danish Competition and Consumer Agency. First and foremost, I hope you all
in the DG JUST Consumer Policy Unit are doing well and are getting through this special time. We had been
looking forward to meeting you in Croatia in March, but we hope that this situation will not last too long
and that we can meet again some other time soon.
I am writing to you because we are considering whether to take any action on al l the printed
advertisements that citizens receive in their mailbox. This is primarily due to climate and environmental
considerations, but also because many citizens find it annoying to receive these advertisements. It is
possible to discard advertisements with a so-called opt-out solution, according to which citizens order a
sticker they can put on their mailbox. The sticker shows, that you do not want to receive advertisements.
But in other areas, such as telephone inquiries and inquiries by mail, one must not approach citizens
without consent - opt-in solution - and there may be reason to consider whether this should also apply in
the analogue world.
We are interested to hear whether, as part of the Green Agenda, the Commission has made some
considerations on printed advertising and, for example an opt-in scheme? We are also interested in
discussing your view on such an opt-in solution in the light of the rules of eg. the Commercial Practices
Directive.
We would therefore like to inquire whether the Commission has the opportunity to meet with the Danish
authorities, for example in May or June for a discussion of these matters?
Kind regards
Susanne Aamann
Forbrugerjuridisk Chef
Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen /
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
E-mail
[email protected]
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
Vi arbejder for velfungerende
markeder. Se vore privatlivspolitik på
kfst.dk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1b
Fra:
Sendt:
19. marts 2020 19:28
Til:
Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Cc:
Emne:
RE: Printed advertisements - the green agenda
Dear Ms Aamann,
Thanks for your message, I too hope that you and your colleagues are managing to cope with the current
unprecedented situation.
Thanks also for raising an interesting point. I cannot comment on the extent to which the unsolicited
printed advertisement can be considered contrary to the existing consumer legislation addressing
consumer rights or unfair commercial practices – I leave this to my colleague
(here in copy) and her
team in unit JUST E2. From JUST E1’s perspective, it could be indeed interesting to explore the sustainability
aspect of these practices and their relation with our planned efforts to better empower consumers to
contribute to the green transition agenda. I will discuss with the members of my team working on this. We
can certainly plan a focused discussion in person if you plan to be in Brussels later in the spring/summer. If
you have already any factual evidence (e.g. statistics on the economic and environmental cost of such
advertisement, consumers attitudes to it, etc.) please do share it in the meantime.
Looking forward to further discussions, I wish you and your colleagues good health and positive spirits in
the coming weeks.
Best regards,
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1c
Fra:
Susanne Aamann
Sendt:
20. marts 2020 22:09
Til:
Emne:
SV: Printed advertisements - the green agenda
Dear
Thank you very much for your promt and positive reply. We look forward to starting a dialogue with
and her team in unit JUST E2.
We very much appreciate the offer to meet and discuss the sustainability aspect of these practices.
We will return with suggestions for dates.
Kind regards.
Susanne Aamann
Forbrugerjuridisk Chef
Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen /
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
E-mail
[email protected]
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1d
From:
Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Sent:
Thursday, June 18, 2020 16:43
To:
Cc:
Pernille Berglund Gunge (EM-DEP) <[email protected]>; Kristina Agerbæk Riber
<[email protected]>
Subject:
Unsolicited printed advertisement
Dear
I am writing to you to follow up on my e-mail below to
unsolicited printed advertisement.
regarding
We had a fruitful meeting last week with
and some colleagues from
his team, but as I understand it, it would be relevant, that we have a discussion with
your team too.
As also described in my e-mail below, the Danish Government are considering
whether to take any action on all the printed advertisements that citizens receive in
their mailbox - primarily due to climate and environmental considerations. In
Denmark is possible to discard advertisements with a so-called opt-out solution,
according to which citizens order a sticker they can put on their mailbox. The sticker
shows, that you do not want to receive advertisements.
What we are interested in discussing such an opt-in scheme for unsolicited printed
advertisements in relation to the UCPD. Would it be possible to have a meeting
with us maybe for just half an hour during week 27 (29/6-3/3)? In is also possible
for us the week before.
Kind regards
Susanne Aamann
Forbrugerjuridisk Chef
Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen /
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1d
E-mail
[email protected]
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
Vi arbejder for velfungerende
markeder. Se vore privatlivspolitik på
kfst.dk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0006.png
1e
Fra:
Sendt:
19. juni 2020 11:44
Til:
Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Cc:
Pernille Berglund Gunge (EM-DEP) <[email protected]>; Kristina Agerbæk Riber
<[email protected]>;
Emne:
RE: Unsolicited printed advertisement
Dear Susanne Aamann,
We will be very pleased to meet you « virtually « on this topic. It should be
feasible in week 27 but please bear with me for a few days more: we are
currently involved in heavy legislative work and I don’t know exactly when we
are going to be available that week.
My assistant
will be in contact with you mid next week (week 26
th
)
once we know better of our availabilities to fix the meeting
Best regards
European Commission
DG Justice and Consumers
Head of Unit
JUST E2 – Consumer and Marketing Law
LX40 04/015
B-1049 Brussels/Belgium
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
Bilag 1e
"The
views expressed are purely those of the writer and may not in any
circumstances be regarded as stating a formal position of DG JUST or the European
Commission".
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1f
From:
Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Sent:
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 10:24
To:
Cc:
Pernille Berglund Gunge (EM-DEP) <[email protected]>; Kristina Agerbæk Riber
<[email protected]>;
Subject:
SV: Unsolicited printed advertisement
Dear
Thank you very much for your reply.
We will await
for further information.
Kind regards
Susanne
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1g
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
Susanne Aamann
Kristina Agerbæk Riber
RE: Unsolicited printed advertisement
24. juni 2020 09:25:48
image003.png
image004.png
image005.gif
Dear Ms Aamann,
Following your request for a meeting with
, can I kindly propose some dates taking into
account our Unit’s availabilities?
-
On 6 July at 11h00
-
On 7 July at 11h00
If the above dates do not suit you, please do not hesitate to contact me in order to find a more
convenient one.
Best regards,
--------------------------------
Assistant to the Head of Unit
JUST.E.2 Consumer and Marketing Law
Directorate General Justice and Consumers
European Commission
Rue Luxembourg 40 - B - 1000 Brussels
Tel:
E-mail:
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1h
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Susanne Aamann
Pernille Berglund Gunge (EM-DEP); Kristina Agerbæk Riber;
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
RE: Unsolicited printed advertisement
29. juni 2020 19:40:55
image001.png
image002.gif
image003.jpg
Dear Ms Aamann,
In agreement with Ms
, I would like to inform you, prior to our meeting of 7
July, about the latest parliamentary question on a possible ‘Yes, please’ scheme for printed
advertising put forward by a Member of the European Parliament, and the Commission’s reply to
it of 30 April 2020.
Please see the links below:
Question:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-000008_EN.html
Answer:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-000008-ASW_EN.html
Best regards,
Deputy Head of Unit / stv. Referatsleiter
European Commission / Europäische Kommission
Directorate General Justice & Consumers / Generaldirektion Justiz & Verbraucher
Unit E2 Consumer and Marketing Law / Ref. E2 Verbraucher- und Marketingrecht
LX40 04/11
Rue du Luxembourg 40
B-1050 Brussels
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1i
Fra:
Susanne Aamann
Sendt:
11. december 2020 13:11
Til:
Cc:
Tine Nielsen Hertz (EM-DEP) <[email protected]>; Pernille Berglund Gunge (EM-DEP) <[email protected]>; Cecilie
Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP) <[email protected]>
Emne:
Follow up on meeting regarding an opt-in scheme for printed advertisements in Denmark
Dear
I am writing to you in order to follow up on our meeting in July regarding an opt-in scheme for printed
advertisements in Denmark.
In light of the discussion at the meeting, we would like to follow up regarding the points being discussed on
such a scheme being based on environmental considerations vs. the protection of the consumers’
economic interests.
Please find our follow up letter attached.
Keeping in mind, that it is a busy time for the Commission, I would like to ask if it is possible to give just a
brief feedback on when you have the opportunity to follow up on our inquiry, as the political negotiations
in Denmark regarding this issue, among other things, await a clarification of the relationship with relevant
EU-regulation.
Thank you very much in advance.
Kind regards
Susanne Aamann
Head of Unit, Consumer Policy Division
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
E-mail
[email protected]
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0012.png
Bilag 1i
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
Vi arbejder for velfungerende
markeder. Se vore privatlivspolitik på
kfst.dk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0013.png
Bilag 1i
Head of Unit
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Date: 11. december 2020
Case: FORCE-20/12511-2
Ref: /KAR
Dear Mrs.
,
D ani sh C om petiti on and
C onsum er A ut horit y
I am writing to you as a follow up on our meeting on 7 July 2020 about a
possible “opt-in”-scheme for printed advertisements in Denmark.
As discussed at our meeting on 7 July, the Danish Government are consid-
ering whether to take action against all the printed advertisements that cit-
izens receive in their mailbox - primarily due to climate and environmental
considerations. In Denmark, it is possible to discard advertisements with a
so-called opt-out solution, according to which citizens order a sticker they
can put on their mailbox. The sticker shows that you do not want to receive
advertisements.
The purpose of an “opt-in”-scheme is to ensure, that printed advertisements
only reach those who wish to receive them. This anticipated lower demand
may lead to less production of printed advertising and thus lower CO2
emissions.
As we also discussed at the meeting, a regulation based on environmental
considerations will fall outside the scope of the Unfair Commercial Prac-
tices Directive.
However, our understanding from the discussion of the meeting was also,
that since the UCP directive regulate the protection of the consumers’ eco-
nomic interests, all commercial practices from businesses that are affecting
the consumers’ economic interests are covered by the total harmonization
of the UCP directive.
A derived effect of an “opt-in”-scheme in relation to affecting the consum-
ers' economic interest is, that consumers are not offered the printed adver-
tisements unless they actively request them, and thus are not presented to
the same choices and options in the market.
Therefore, in the light of the discussion at the meeting, we would like the
Commission to
confirm,
that if the scheme is justified in environmental
reasons, it falls outside UCP even though such a scheme can be expected
to have a derived effect on consumers' economic interests.
Thank you in advance for your much-appreciated reply on this matter.
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
DK-2500 Valby
Tlf.
+45 41 71 50 00
CVR-nr. 10 29 48 19
EAN-nr. 5798000018006
[email protected]
www.kfst.dk
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, BUSINESS
AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
Bilag 1i
Yours sincerely,
Susanne Aamann
Head of Unit
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
2
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0015.png
Bilag 1j
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
Susanne Aamann
Kristina Agerbæk Riber; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP)
SV: Follow up on meeting regarding an opt-in scheme for printed advertisements in Denmark
27. januar 2021 12:09:58
image001.gif
Dear
We kindly bring our questions to mind, please see e-mail below.
If you need any further information from us, you are of course welcome to contact us.
Venlig hilsen
Susanne Aamann
Kontorchef, Forbrugerpolitisk Center
Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen /
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
E-mail
[email protected]
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
Vi arbejder for velfungerende
markeder. Se vore privatlivspolitik på
kfst.dk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1k
Fra: ve_just.e.2(JUST) <[email protected]>
Sendt: 2. februar 2021 15:39
Til: Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Emne: Ares(2021)901964 - [Re] ‘Opt-in’ scheme for printed advertising in Denmark
Please find attached document Ares(2021)901964 from
02/02/2021.
Veuillez trouver ci-joint le document Ares(2021)901964 de
daté du 02/02/2021.
(JUST.DDG.E.2) dated
(JUST.DDG.E.2)
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1k
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL JUSTICE AND CONSUMERS
Directorate E – Consumers
Brussels,
JUST/E2/LR/Ares(2021)
Ms. Susanne AAMANN
Head of Unit - Consumer Policy
Division
Danish Competition and
Consumer Authority
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
E-mail:
[email protected]
Subject:
‘Opt-in’ scheme for printed advertising in Denmark
Dear Ms. Aamann,
Thank you for your letter of 11 December 2020 in which you outline a possible ‘opt-in’
scheme for printed advertising in Denmark and its possible consequences for Danish
consumers. My apologies for the delay in responding to you.
You explain that the Danish Government is considering an ‘opt in’ scheme primarily due
to climate and environmental considerations.
In its reply of 30 April 2020 to the parliamentary question E-8/2020
1
, the Commission
stated that an ‘opt-in’ scheme for printed advertisement, which does not pursue, directly or
indirectly, the objective of the protection of consumers' economic interests, but other goals
such as environmental protection, would fall outside the scope of the Directive
2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices. See in this respect the relevant case law of the
Court of Justice (C-540/08
Mediaprint
and C-206/11
Köck).
The Court of Justice has also
held that it is for the national authorities and courts to decide whether a national provision
is intended to directly or indirectly protect the interests of consumers (C-13/15
Cdiscount).
In any event, it is necessary to verify that the national law complies also with other Union
law and, in particular, with the fundamental freedoms laid down in the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). That means that national law must be non-
discriminatory, and any potential obstacles to the internal market would have to be
1
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-000008-ASW_EN.html
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0019.png
Bilag 1k
justified by an overriding reason of public interest and be proportionate. As mentioned
during our meeting of 7 July 2020, I recommend consulting the relevant services in DG
GROW (in particular unit GROW B1 – free movement of goods, and GROW E1 –
services).
Please note that the above is an informal assessment of my services based on the
information you have provided and not a formal position of the European Commission.
Yours sincerely,
(e-signed)
Head of Unit
Electronically signed on 01/02/2021 19:38 (UTC+01) in accordance with article 11 of Commission Decision C(2020) 4482
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1l
Fra:
Kirstine Dahl
Sendt:
19. marts 2021 08:30
Til:
Cc:
Maria Egstrand <[email protected]>; Mette Godiksen <[email protected]>; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-
DEP) <[email protected]>; Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>
Emne:
Concerning requirements on printed advertisements in relation to EU law/The Green Deal
Dear colleagues,
I hope you have all settled well into your new positions following the reorganization, and despite the
ongoing pandemic are doing well.
I am writing to you because the Danish government is considering whether to take any action on all the
printed advertisements that citizens receive in their mailbox. This is primarily due to climate and
environmental considerations, but also because many citizens find it bothersome to receive these
advertisements. At the moment, it is possible to discard advertisements with a so-called opt-out solution,
according to which citizens order a sticker they can put on their mailbox. The sticker shows, that you do not
want to receive advertisements. But in other areas, such as telephone inquiries and inquiries by mail, one
must not approach citizens without consent - opt-in solution - and there may be reason to consider
whether this should also apply in the analogue world.
We are interested in discussing your view on such an opt-in solution in the light of the rules of the Services
Directive and the TFEU’s articles on free movement of goods. We have already been in con tact with
Commission Experts concerning the Commercial Practices Directive who suggested that we also took these
rules into consideration. We would therefore like to inquire whether the you or relevant colleagues have
time to meet with experts from the Danish Business Authority, Competition and Consumer Authority and
Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, after the Easter holiday at the beginning of April for a
discussion of these matters?
Kind regards
Kirstine Dahl
DANISH BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Dahlerups Pakhus
Langelinie Allé 17
DK-2100 København Ø
Telephone: +45 35291000
Direct: +45 35291529
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1m
Fra:
Kirstine Dahl <[email protected]>
Sendt:
18. april 2021 09:20
Til:
Cc:
Maria Egstrand <[email protected]>; Mette Godiksen <[email protected]>; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-
DEP) <[email protected]>; Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>; Tine Strand Thomsen <[email protected]>
Emne:
SV: Concerning requirements on printed advertisements in relation to EU law/The Green Deal
Dear colleagues,
I hope you are doing well.
Did you have the chance to investigate this inquiry? Also, as a follow up to
’s e -mail – would you
also know which experts on the Services Directive would be relevant to direct the message to?
Best,
Kirstine
Kind regards
Kirstine Dahl
DANISH BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Dahlerups Pakhus
Langelinie Allé 17
DK-2100 København Ø
Telephone: +45 35291000
Direct: +45 35291529
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
The Danish Business Authority is responsible for the processing of personal data we receive about you. Read more about purpose and legal
basis for our treatment of data on
erhvervsstyrelsen.dk
(in Danish).
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
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Bilag 1n
From:
Sent:
Monday, April 19, 2021 2:07 PM
To:
[email protected]
Cc:
; Maria Egstrand <[email protected]>; Mette Godiksen
<[email protected]>; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP <[email protected]>; Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>;
Tine Strand Thomsen <[email protected]>;
Subject:
FW: Concerning requirements on printed advertisements in relation to EU law/The Green Deal
Dear Ms Dahl,
Due to the reorganisation in DG GROW your e-mail below might have remained unanswered. I am now
responsible for DK in the area of free movement of goods but am also copying my colleague
from
the services unit and
from DG JUST, which you might have spoken to already.
No problem to organise a call, what about next week? On my side best options would be:
-
-
-
Monday 26
th
- all day
Wednesday 28
th
– in the afternoon
Friday 30
th
– all day
I leave it also to the colleagues to express their preferences.
Best regards,
Legal Officer
European Commission
Directorate - General for Internal Market, Industry,
Entrepreneurship and SMEs
GROW/E2 Enforcement II
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Office:
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0023.png
Bilag 1n
Tel:
e-mail:
Follow us on
Facebook:
Twitter:
Our Websites:
EU Growth
@EU_Growth
ec.europa.eu/growth
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0024.png
Bilag 1o
Fra:
Sendt:
19. april 2021 15:29
Til:
Cc:
Kirstine Dahl <[email protected]>
Maria Egstrand <[email protected]>; Mette Godiksen
<[email protected]>; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP <[email protected]>; Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>;
Tine Strand Thomsen <[email protected]>;
Emne:
RE: Concerning requirements on printed advertisements in relation to EU law/The Green Deal
Dear all,
Wednesday 28
th
– in the afternoon works for me.
Many thanks and all the best,
Legal Officer
European Commission
Directorate General Justice & C onsumers
Unit E2 C onsumer and Marketing Law
LX40 04/11
Rue du Luxembourg 40
B-1050 Brussels
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0025.png
Bilag 1p
Fra:
Kirstine Dahl <[email protected]>
Sendt:
21. april 2021 14:14
Til:
>; Maria Egstrand <[email protected]>; Mette Godiksen
<[email protected]>; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP <[email protected]>; Susanne Aamann <[email protected]>;
Tine Strand Thomsen <[email protected]>;
Emne:
SV: Concerning requirements on printed advertisements in relation to EU law/The Green Deal
Dear
, dear
,
Thank you very much for your replies. I understand if the reorganization has caused a few unanswered e -
mails. Wednesday 13-14 would be perfect for us. We will send you the invitation ASAP.
Best,
Kirstine
Med venlig hilsen
Kirstine Dahl
Fuldmægtig
ERHVERVSSTYRELSEN
Europapolitik og EUs Indre marked
Dahlerups Pakhus
Langelinie Allé 17
2100 København Ø
Telefon: +45 35291000
Direkte: +45 35291529
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk
ERHVERVSMINISTERIET
Erhvervsstyrelsen er ansvarlig for behandlingen af de personoplysninger, vi modtager om dig. Læs mere om formål og
lovgrundlag for databehandlingen på erhvervsstyrelsen.dk.
Hvis du sender følsomme oplysninger, opfordrer vi til, at du bruger din digitale postkasse på Virk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0026.png
Bilag 1q
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
Susanne Aamann
Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP); Søren Boisen Westh (EM-DEP)
Danish Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited advertisements
2. juli 2021 12:37:04
Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited advertisements.pdf
image001.gif
Dear
,
and
As previously discussed with the European Commission, The Danish Government is considering
whether to adopt new legislation on the printed advertisements citizens receive in their mailbox
- primarily due to environmental considerations.
I continuation of our discussion I hereby send you the attached note, that describes the current
opt-out scheme in Denmark regarding unsolicited printed advertisements and a similar model
for a possible opt-in scheme.
Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any further questions.
Kind regards
Susanne Aamann
Forbrugerjuridisk Chef
Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen /
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
E-mail
[email protected]
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
Vi arbejder for velfungerende
markeder. Se vore privatlivspolitik på
kfst.dk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0027.png
Bilag 1q
European Commission
Date: 2. juli 2021
Case: FORCE-19/13390-47
Ref: /SAA
Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisements
Danish Competition and
As previously discussed with the European Commission, The Danish
Government is considering whether to adopt new legislation on the print-
ed advertisements citizens receive in their mailbox - primarily due to en-
vironmental considerations.
This note describes the current opt-out scheme in Denmark regarding
unsolicited printed advertisements and a similar model for a possible opt-
in scheme.
The current opt-out scheme in Denmark
Currently in Denmark, it is possible to discard advertisements with a so-
called opt-out solution, according to which citizens can order a sticker
they can put on their mailbox. The sticker shows that a given address
does not want to receive printed advertisements. It is possible to order the
sticker regardless whether it is private citizens, traders, institutions, asso-
ciations, clubs, authorities, etc., and for what purpose. The stickers are
valid until the citizen, trader etc. either moves from the address or active-
ly unsubscribes from opt-out scheme. A registration is registered in a
database; cf. the provisions of the Danish Postal Act in this regard.
It is a Danish distribution company (FK Distribution) that administrates
the database and the registrations. The distribution company is also in
charge of handling complaints regarding the scheme.
There are two different stickers to choose from:
1. "Advertisement - No thanks"-sticker: You do not receive unsolic-
ited printed advertisements. You will however still receive local
weekly newspapers, free newspapers, evening school catalogs and
similar material.
2. “Advertising and free newspapers - No thanks"-sticker: You do
not receive unaddressed printed advertisement, local weekly
newspapers or other material, such as evening school catalogs.
Consumer Authority
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
DK-2500 Valby
Tlf.
+45 41 71 50 00
CVR-nr. 10 29 48 19
EAN-nr. 5798000018006
[email protected]
www.kfst.dk
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, BUSINESS
AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
Bilag 1q
The sticker do not cover everything. For instance, the citizen will contin-
ue to receive information material from the state, region and municipali-
ty. Charities, patient associations, political parties and religious institu-
tions may also send printed matter even if there is a mark on the mailbox.
It can be, for example, election material or church magazines. Personal-
ized advertisements with a name and address are exempted from the
scheme, but it is also possible to avoid receiving these by subscribing to a
special list administered by the authorities. It can be, for example, elec-
tion material or church magazines.
Both the sender and distributor must respect if an address has registered
the opt-out scheme and have a sticker on the mailbox. If someone re-
ceives an advertisement despite the sticker, it is possible to complain to
the advertising distributor. If the complaint is rejected it is possible to
complain to the Consumer Ombudsman.
The scheme is supplemented by an opt-out plus scheme, according to
which citizens can choose what type of material they want to receive, eg.
whether they do not want offer newspapers from supermarkets, but would
like to receive the local newspaper
The scheme is not statutory. It was made by the industry in collaboration
with the Consumer Ombudsman. The framework for the scheme is based
on a voluntary agreement between the relevant parties set out in a set of
guidelines issued by the Consumer Ombudsman.
A model for a possible opt-in scheme
It is the intention that a possible opt-in scheme should work in a similar
way as the current opt-out scheme. However, with the important distinc-
tion that in order to receive printed advertisement, the citizen, trader etc.
needs to put a sticker on the mailbox. If they do not, it will
not
be al-
lowed to deliver printed advertisements to the address. Just as in the cur-
rent scheme the citizen, trader etc. can order a sticker that they can put on
their mailbox. It is also the intention, that the opt-in scheme will be ad-
ministrated by the industry itself, such as the current opt-out scheme.
As the scheme has not been adopted yet, it is currently not planned in
detail, whether the scheme will include an option to differentiate between
the types of printed advertisements or catalogs etc. one wishes to receive
in the mailbox, but it is a possibility. Furthermore, it will also be possible
to work out a solution after which local newspapers are excluded from
the scheme, so that these will continue to be distribute.
2
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
Bilag 1q
As mentioned above, the current opt-out scheme is not statutory, but has
been prepared by the industry in collaboration with the Consumer Om-
budsman. The framework for the scheme is based on a voluntary agree-
ment between the relevant parties set out in a set of guidelines issued by
the Consumer Ombudsman. An opt-in scheme could likewise be based on
a voluntary agreement or it could be statutory. The scheme could be im-
plemented in the Danish Market Practices Act, if it is decided to make the
new scheme statutory.
The intention of introducing an opt-in scheme is to lower the amount of
printed advertisements in order to limit the negative environmental im-
pact of these advertisements.
According to the Danish Ministry of Environment, the most recent Dan-
ish data indicates that 113.400 ton of printed advertisements was distrib-
uted in 2016 (including catalogues, advertisements etc.). That amounts to
42.2 kg. per household. According to the waste statistics 138.000 ton of
unsorted paper waste was collected from the Danish households in 2019.
132.000 ton was recycled, while 5.300 ton was incinerated.
Furthermore, the share of households who are a part of the current opt-out
scheme has been stable at around 50 percent since 2017. It seems reason-
able to assume that the reverse scheme – an opt-in solution – will have a
significantly lower subscription rate than the current opt-out scheme, due
to a variety of factors, such as the availability of digitalized advertise-
ments, continued urbanization etc. All things being equal, if the share of
Danish households who actively opts in to a new scheme where to be 25
percent, the amount of wasted paper would be reduced by 50 percent,
which amounts to roughly 56.000 ton of printed advertisements per year.
Thus, it is the Danish Ministry of Environment assessment that an opt-in
scheme will have a positive environmental impact by reducing the total
amount of distributed paper in Denmark.
Therefore, the opt-in scheme seems proportionate to the objective pur-
sued since the magnitude of the potential environmental benefits surpass-
es those of the current opt-out scheme. However, it is impossible to as-
sess exactly how environmentally beneficial an opt-in scheme will be,
given the uncertainty of the aforementioned assumptions.
Alternative solution to an opt-in scheme
It will also be an option to make an alternative solution to on an opt-in
scheme. Such a solution may consist of improving the existing opt-out
scheme.
This can be done by making it easier to maintain the opt-out scheme
when moving. This presents challenges today because one registers the
3
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
Bilag 1q
address of the opt-out scheme and not oneself as a person. Therefore, the
scheme does not automatically follow a person when moving.
In addition, the scheme could be strengthened by setting requirements for
the paper on which the distributed advertisements are printed. Such re-
quirements are difficult to enforce in national regulation, and it is there-
fore more likely that such a solution were to be negotiated on voluntary
terms between the relevant parties in Denmark. However, this option
would need further investigation.
Yours sincerely
Susanne Aamann
Head of Consumer Policy Unit
4
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0031.png
Bilag 1r
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
Susanne Aamann
Søren Boisen Westh (EM-DEP)
VS: Danish Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited advertisements
7. oktober 2021 14:27:51
Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited advertisements.pdf
image001.gif
Dear
,
and
As previously discussed with the European Commission, The Danish Government is considering
whether to adopt new legislation on the printed advertisements citizens receive in their mailbox
- primarily due to environmental considerations.
In the light of the discussions, the Commission has requested some further information from
Denmark, which we have submitted in the attached note on 2 July 2021. The note describes the
current opt-out scheme in Denmark regarding unsolicited printed advertisements and a similar
model for a possible opt-in scheme.
We would like to inquire, if you have had the opportunity to look into the matter?
We are of course available if you have further questions.
Kind regards
Susanne Aamann
Forbrugerjuridisk Chef
Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen /
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority
Direkte +45 4171 5285
E-mail
[email protected]
Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
2500 Valby
Tlf. +45 4171 5000
Vi arbejder for velfungerende
markeder. Se vore privatlivspolitik på
kfst.dk.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0032.png
Bilag 1s
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
Sanne Erholt (EM-DEP)
på vegne af
Brian Wessel (EM-DEP)
Søren Boisen Westh (EM-DEP)
Danish opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisements.
21. december 2021 09:52:53
Scannet fra EM-DEP-SLG-MF-19001.pdf
Please find attached letter with reference to a Danish opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited
advertisements.
Kind regards,
Sanne Erholt
/On behalf of Brian Wessel
Slotsholmsgade 10-12
1216 København K
EAN
5798000026001
______________________________
Erhvervsministeriet er ansvarlig for behandlingen af de personoplysninger, vi modtager om dig. Du kan læse mere om,
hvordan vi behandler dine personoplysninger på vores hjemmeside https://em.dk/privatlivspolitik.
Erhvervsministeriet gør opmærksom på, at denne e-mail og eventuelle vedhæftede filer er fortrolige. Hvis du ikke er den
tilsigtede modtager, bedes du straks underrette afsenderen ved at besvare denne e-mail og derefter slette e-mailen.
Hvis du har modtaget denne e-mail ved en fejl, skal vi gøre klart, at enhver form for kopiering, offentliggørelse eller
distribution af denne e-mail kan være ulovlig.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0033.png
Yours sincerely,
Brian W
Deputy
Affairs.
Referring to the latest mail dated 7 October 2021 from the Danish
Competition and Consumer Authority we would like to inquire if the
Commission have had the opportunity to look into the matter and pos­
sibly come doser to a legal clarification of whether the scheme com­
plies with EU law.
Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisements
We are of course available if you have further questions.
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, BUSINESS
AND
f
INANCIAL AFFAIRS
In the light of the discussions, the Commission requested further in­
formation from Denmark, which The Danish Competition and Con­
sumer Authority submitted in the attached note on 2 July 2021. The
note describes the current opt-out scheme in Denmark regarding unso­
licited printed advertisements and a similar model for a possible opt-in
scheme.
As previously discussed with the European Commission, the Danish
Government is considering whether to adopt new legislation on the
printed advertisements citizens receive in their mailbox - primarily due
to environmental considerations.
European Commission
anent Secretary for Business Regulations and International
--
----
Bilag 1s
DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRE•
TARV OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS
Slotsholmsgade 10-12
DK-1216 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Tlf.
Fax
+45 33 92 33 50
+45 33 12 37 78
CVR-nr. 10092485
EAN nr. 5798000026001
[email protected]
www.em.dk
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0034.png
Bilag 1t
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
Søren Boisen Westh (EM-DEP)
Sigrid Dahlerup (EM-DEP); Susanne Aamann; Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP)
Danish opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisements.
26. januar 2022 10:36:37
Opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited advertisements.pdf
Dear
,
and
As previously discussed with the European Commission, The Danish Government is considering
whether to adopt new legislation on the printed advertisements citizens receive in their mailbox -
primarily due to environmental considerations.
In the light of the discussions, the Commission has requested some further information from
Denmark, which we have submitted in the attached note on 2 July 2021. The note describes the
current opt-out scheme in Denmark regarding unsolicited printed advertisements and a similar model
for a possible opt-in scheme.
Furthermore, we have asked in both October and December whether you have had the opportunity to
look into the matter. We eagerly await your response.
We are of course available if you have further questions.
Kind regards,
SØREN BOISEN WESTH (EM-DEP)
Fuldmægtig
Område 2 | Konkurrence, forbruger & selskaber
Slotsholmsgade 10-12
1216 København K
[email protected]
Tlf.
33 92 33 50
Mobil
91 33 71 31
EAN
5798000026001
______________________________
Erhvervsministeriet er ansvarlig for behandlingen af de personoplysninger, vi modtager om dig. Du kan læse mere om,
hvordan vi behandler dine personoplysninger på vores hjemmeside https://em.dk/privatlivspolitik.
Erhvervsministeriet gør opmærksom på, at denne e-mail og eventuelle vedhæftede filer er fortrolige. Hvis du ikke er den
tilsigtede modtager, bedes du straks underrette afsenderen ved at besvare denne e-mail og derefter slette e-mailen.
Hvis du har modtaget denne e-mail ved en fejl, skal vi gøre klart, at enhver form for kopiering, offentliggørelse eller
distribution af denne e-mail kan være ulovlig.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0035.png
Bilag 1u
Til:
,
,
Cc:
Sigrid Dahlerup (EM-DEP) ([email protected]), Susanne Thaarup (EM-DEP) ([email protected]), Cecilie
Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP) ([email protected])
Fra:
Søren Boisen Westh (EM-DEP) ([email protected])
Titel:
Request: Danish opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisements
Sendt:
22-02-2022 17:31
Dear
,
and
In recent days, the possible opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisments has once again
caught the attention of the Danish Parliament.
As you know, we submitted the attached note on 2 July 2021 describing a model for a possible opt-in
scheme as a result of your request in the spring of 2021.
Once again, we would like to request whether you have had the opportunity to look into the matter?
We kindly ask you to confirm that you have recieved this mail.
Kind regards,
SØREN BOISEN WESTH (EM-DEP)
Head of Section
Slotsholmsgade 10-12
1216 København K
soew [email protected]
Tlf.
33 92 33 50
Mobil
+45 91 33 71 31
EAN
5798000026001
Erhvervsministeriet er ansvarlig for behandlingen af de personoplysninger, vi modtager om dig. Du kan læse mere om, hvordan v i
behandler dine personoplysninger på vores hjemmeside em.dk/privatlivspolitik.
Erhvervsministeriet gør opmærksom på, at denne e-mail og eventuelle vedhæftede filer er fortrolige. Hvis du ikke er den tilsigtede
modtager, bedes du straks underrette afsenderen ved at besvare denne e-mail og derefter slette e-mailen. Hvis du har modtaget denne
e-mail ved en fejl, skal vi gøre klart, at enhver form for kopiering, offentliggørelse eller distribution af denne e-mail kan være ulovlig.
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0036.png
Bilag 1v
Fra:
Til:
Cc:
Emne:
Dato:
Vedhæftede filer:
GROW E2
Søren Boisen Westh (EM-DEP)
Susanne Aamann; Sigrid Dahlerup (EM-DEP); Cecilie Toft Nørgaard (EM-DEP)
[Re] Request: Danish opt-in scheme regarding unsolicited printed advertisements (EM Id nr.: 450570) -
Ares(2022)2137476
23. marts 2022 18:44:06
Reply to DK authorities on Danish Opt-in scheme[1].pdf
EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Endeligt svar på spørgsmål 16: Spm. om oversende al hidtidig korrespondance om mulighederne for at indføre en reklamer, ja tak-ordning inden for EU-retten, til erhvervsministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren
2661088_0037.png
Bilag 1v
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR INTERNAL MARKET, INDUSTRY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND SMES
Single Market Enforcement
E.2 – Enforcement II
Brussels, 23.03.2022
grow.e.2/
/az(2022)2119221
Søren Boisen Westh
Headof Section
Erhvervsministeriet
Slotsholmsgade 10-12
DK-1216 København K
e-mail:
[email protected]
Dear Sir,
We would like to thank you for your letters of 21 December 2021, 26 January 2022 and
22 February 2022, referring to the note of 02 July 2021 by the Danish Competition and
Consumer Authority concerning a Danish initiative for implementing an Opt-in scheme
regarding unsolicited printed advertisements.
In your letters, you inquire over the compatibility of such scheme, intended to replace the
non-statutory opt-out scheme currently in force, with EU primary and secondary law.
You also explain that ‘the intention of introducing an opt-in scheme is to lower the
amount of printed advertisements in order to limit the negative environmental impact of
these advertisements.’
The present reply is intended to provide some preliminary informal and general guidance
over the main elements of the scheme.
We note that the proposal envisaged in the note raises several questions with respect to
free movement of goods and services as well as environmental and consumer protection.
The Commission has already stated in its reply of 30 April 2020 to the parliamentary
question E-8/2020
1
that an ‘opt-in’ scheme for printed advertisement, which does not
pursue, directly or indirectly, the objective of the protection of consumers' economic
interests, but other goals such as environmental protection, would fall outside the scope
of the Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices
2
.
Furthermore, the Court of Justice has held that it is for the national authorities and courts
to decide whether a national provision is intended to directly or indirectly protect the
interests of consumers (C-13/15
Cdiscount).
This position was reiterated in the letter of
1
2
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-000008-ASW_EN.html
See the relevant case law of the Court of Justice (C-540/08
Mediaprint
and C-206/11
Köck)
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel.
@ec.europa.eu
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Bilag 1v
DG JUST of 2 February 2021 in reply to the letter of the Danish Competition and
Consumer Authority 11 December 2020
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.
When it comes to the fundamental freedoms, it is true that national rules restricting the
free movement of goods or services need to be non-discriminatory, justified by an
overriding reason of public interest and proportionate. However, any assessment of (1)
the possible existence of a restriction of the free movement of goods or services and (2)
the compatibility of a national measure with EU law depends on the specific features of
each measure, including its concrete wording, the objectives pursued and justification,
along with evidence presented.
Moreover, we note that the proportionality test to be carried out on national measures
restricting fundamental freedoms is composed of three steps: the measure must be
suitable to attain the overriding reason in the public interest, must not go beyond what is
necessary to attain it and no less restrictive means should be available to achieve it. With
respect to the latter, the abovementioned Danish note itself outlines a potential alternative
scheme, which, in its own terms, would be less restrictive on fundamental freedoms. This
appears to suggest that the Danish authorities themselves acknowledge the existence of
less restrictive means.
At this stage however, as previously pointed out, the Commission services cannot
provide a complete assessment, only on the basis of the information supplied in the brief
explanatory note informally sent by the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.
In order to receive a more detailed and comprehensive answer, we invite the Danish
authorities to notify a draft under the applicable notification rules
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. The notification
procedure would allow all Commission services concerned as well as all other Member
States to carry out a transparent and accurate assessment based on the concrete phrasing
of the proposal and would also provide private stake-holders with the possibility to
submit their views.
Such an open and comprehensive process of information and consultation would enable a
complete assessment, on the basis of all the relevant aspects and comments.
We would like to thank the Danish authorities for their spirit of cooperation and remain
at their disposal to pursue a fruitful dialogue.
Yours faithfully,
[electronically signed]
Head of Unit
Contact:
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Danish Competition and Consumer Authority letter with reference: FORCE-20/12511-2/11 December
2020; European Commission letter with reference: Ares(2021)901964/02 February 2021
Single Market Transparency Directive 2015/1535 (TRIS notification) or Directive 2006/123/EC on
services in the internal market.
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Electronically signed on 23/03/2022 18:23 (UTC+01) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121