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Dr. Ecommerce,

I'm desperately looking for an EU-standardised definition of e-commerce. Could you please tell me, if there is one?

Thank you so much

Natascha

Dear Natascha

Normally, we avoid defining electronic commerce, aside from the vague non-definition of e-commerce being about doing business electronically. However, there is a need for a legal definition for legal papers, so definitions can be found in legal documents pertaining to e-commerce (see http://www.ispo.cec.be/ecommerce/legal/legal.html). I have included a couple here:

This one is from "REPORT on the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a European Initiative in Electronic Commerce" (COM(97)0157 - C4-0297/97)

"1. Background and definition

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is not a completely new phenomenon, as companies have exchanged business data for many years by using different communication networks. As the Internet now is growing rapidly, e-commerce is no longer limited to big companies, but open to everyone around the world. Driven by this Internet revolution, electronic commerce is dramatically expanding and undergoing radical changes. E-commerce is a "win-win game" and presents enormous potential opportunities for consumers and for businesses, particularly SMEs, and will have a considerable impact on Europe's competitiveness in global markets. Electronic commerce therefore offers tremendous possibilities for job creation, which is at the top of the EU agenda. Furthermore, there are several social advantages of e-commerce, such as making access easier for disabled people and for people in remote areas. Even though the development is lead by the private sector, public administrations have an important role to play in this field, apart from the creation of an legal and regulatory framework, through public procurement and awareness raising measures.

There is no universally accepted definition of e-commerce so far, but it is clear that it involves commercial transactions, over telecommunications networks, by using electronic means. It includes indirect e-commerce (electronic ordering of tangible goods), as well as direct e-commerce (online delivery of intangibles). The transactional nature of the exchange is the key feature, involving agreement to deliver goods, to perform services or to transact intellectual property rights. A fast-moving environment, e-commerce is engendering a wide array of innovative businesses, markets and trading communities - creating new functions and new revenue streams. However, e-commerce should be distinguished from basic telecommunication services and from the simple use of the Internet and of electronic databases to obtain information without the establishment of a commercial transaction."

And this one is from "A European Initiative in Electronic Commerce - Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions" (COM(97) 157)

"5. Electronic commerce is about doing business electronically. It is based on the electronic processing and transmission of data, including text, sound and video. It encompasses many diverse activities including electronic trading of goods and services, on-line delivery of digital content, electronic fund transfers, electronic share trading, electronic bills of lading, commercial auctions, collaborative design and engineering, on-line sourcing, public procurement, direct consumer marketing and after-sales service. It involves both products (e.g. consumer goods, specialised medical equipment) and services (e.g. information services, financial and legal services); traditional activities (e.g. healthcare, education) and new activities (e.g. virtual malls)."

I trust this is clear!

Dr.Ecommerce