Driving Policy Dialogue

Sofia, 15 of May 2025

Sofia, Event Space | 03:30 PM

Panel is sponsored by Ecommerce Europe

ecommerce europe 300

03:30 - 04:30 PM

Driving Policy Dialogue - short introductions by Ecommerce Europe

  • GDPR & Data Privacy. Seven years after its entry into force, the GDPR remains a cornerstone of the EU’s data protection framework. Through the years, online shops across Europe have made substantial investments to align with its requirements. Despite its original aim to harmonise data protection rules across the EU, in practice, businesses are increasingly faced with a fragmented regulatory landscape, marked by diverging national interpretations, inconsistent enforcement, and growing legal uncertainty, particularly in sensitive areas such as cookie consent or legitimate interest. At the same time, policy discussions in Brussels are evolving, with growing momentum around the idea of reopening the GDPR itself, and regulating further the digital advertising landscape, raising important questions about the future of data-driven innovation and digital marketing in the EU.
  • VAT & Tax Compliance. The evolving framework of VAT and tax regulations in the EU, including the VAT e-commerce package, ViDA, DAC7, and the ongoing Customs Reform, is reshaping digital taxation and import systems. These initiatives redefine the responsibilities of sellers, marketplaces, logistics providers, and importers along the delivery and supply chain. They aim to close regulatory gaps between EU-based and non-EU players, ensuring fair competition in cross-border e-commerce. Understanding how these reforms interconnect is crucial for adapting to a more transparent and compliant EU trading environment, where fiscal and customs obligations are more closely aligned with the realities of modern e-commerce.
  • Consumer Rights. At a time when Europeans have never been more protected, we are on the brink of launching into a new debate concerning the future Digital Fairness Act. What is this? What does it aim to do? Who does it target? Additionally, what is the role of the Member States in this discussion? What are the areas which they dedicate their energy to? All these questions and other will be answered and discussed during this panel where participants will try to understand of the reforms expected in terms of consumer protection.

Vlad
Vîță

ecommerce europe 300

Stefano
Mauro

ecommerce europe 300

Anna
Lachambre

ecommerce europe 300
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Thoughts on the topic:

by NIKOLAY BAKALOV

A Strategic Imperative for EU C-Level
Leaders Europe faces an unprecedented digital revolution that transforms its e-commerce sector. The post-pandemic market has pushed 74% of EU businesses to speed up their investments in automation and AI technology according to McKinsey (2023). The implementation of digital tools represents more than tool adoption for C-level leaders because they need to transform their business models to succeed in the hyperconnected economy.

Why Digital Transformation Matters Now.
The European digital economy will increase by €2.8 trillion during the next decade while e-commerce functions as its foundation (European Commission, 2023). The adoption of AI-driven personalization alongside cloud-native architectures and IoT-powered supply chains has become essential for businesses. Companies that use AI to adjust their prices dynamically achieve higher margins up to 10% according to Gartner (2023) while cloud implementation reduces operational expenses by 30% according to Eurostat (2023).

Overcoming Barriers
EU executives identify legacy systems as their main obstacle despite current momentum in the market according to Deloitte (2023). The path to success demands both infrastructure modernization and team skill development because digital literacy programs have become the priority for 66% of firms. The importance of GDPR compliance continues to be vital because organizations that embed privacy-by-design principles establish trust with their customers as 82% of Europeans insist on stronger data protection measures (EU Digital Economy Report, 2023).

Strategic Actions for Leaders

  1. Scale AI Responsibly: EU-regulated AI platforms should be partnered with for ethical deployment.
  2. Invest in Agile Cloud Solutions: Hybrid cloud infrastructure provides companies with the ability to run borderless operations.
  3. Embrace Sustainability: The EU’s Green Digital Coalition receives support from 63% of consumers who choose to buy from environmentally responsible brands.

 

Sources:

>>  [EU Digital Economy Report 2023]
>>  [McKinsey: Europe’s Digital Acceleration]
>>  [Gartner Retail Trends 2023]

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