Självreglering av elektronisk handel i Norden

Conclusion and Recommendations
The development of electronic commerce is swift, whereas traditional legislation
develops slowly. Legislation can be complemented by self-regulation to enhance the
process. Self-regulation offers an opportunity for the business sector to take an active
role in the development. However, for self-regulation to function properly it is
important that business enterprises participate in it extensively.
The systems of rules and regulations to be developed must be open to all those who
want to take part and who meet the requirements for participation. The terms must not
be dictated by the large-scale actors. Otherwise these systems may create barriers to
competition, which will hurt small and medium-size enterprises in particular.
The problem with self-regulation is that it cannot be enforced in the way that legislation
can. For self-regulation to function it must be executed efficiently and include sanctions.
The mere creation of rules is not enough, but the users must also be able to benefit from
the rights offered by such rules. This is what impartial arbitration organisations are
needed for.
The working group notes that self-regulation has attracted increasing attention both in
the public sector and within the business world. The aim of this report is to disseminate
information about self-regulation and to present examples of self-regulatory actors and
solutions in the Nordic countries (see Appendix 3).
E-commerce self-regulation in the Nordic countries is highly advanced by international
comparison. Nordic self-regulatory systems have already become established and new
systems are being developed. The Norwegian Nsafe and the Finnish rules for electronic
commerce are among the pioneers in their field. Self-regulators offer practices to the
business sector as well as services to consumers.
The working group recommends that Nordic authorities promote self-regulation in ecommerce
taking into account both national and international initiatives in the field.
Attention should also be paid to the fact that the development of European selfregulatory
markets is under way and that self-regulation may in some cases restrict
competition in the market.
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