Crown Commercial Service updates core terms and joint schedules for public sector contracts
The Crown Commercial Service has updated the documents ‘Public Sector Contract—Core Terms’ and ‘Public Sector Contract—Joint Schedules’. The core terms form part of the framework and call-off contracts, which need to be used in every contract. The joint schedules can be used in both framework and call-off contracts.
Cancellation rights apply to sealed mattresses bought online
The Court of Justice of the European Union has held in Case C-681/17 slewo—schlafen leben wohnen GmbH v Sascha Ledowski that a consumer can exercise their cancellation right under the Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU regarding a mattress purchased online even where the protective packaging has been removed from the mattress by the consumer on delivery. This judgment confirms to sellers of goods that the exceptions in Article 13 of the Directive (and the implementing UK legislation) will be interpreted strictly.
Global Blockchain association launched
The International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications (INATBA) has been launched. The new association aims to encourage the global governance and development of blockchain technology has been launched. In 2018, the European Commission launched the European Blockchain Partnership, to develop a European Blockchain Services Infrastructure that will support the delivery of cross-border digital public services, with high standards of security and privacy, as well as the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, with the support of the European Parliament. Blockchain technology is also a key part of the FinTech Action plan as well as of the priorities for the Digital Europe Programme.
DCMS publishes report on cyber security breaches
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has published a report on a survey on cyber security breaches. The report follows a government survey of UK businesses and charities about their approach to cyber security and cyber security issues faced by industry and the costs and impacts of cyber security breaches and attacks. The research informs UK government policy on cyber security and how the UK government works with industry with the aim of making the UK one of the most secure places to do business online.
Report on competition policy in the digital era published
A report commissioned by European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has been published. The report explores how competition policy should evolve to continue to promote pro-consumer innovation in the digital age. The report describes the digital world and what the authors see as the main ways in which markets function in the digital era. The report then outlines the goals of EU competition law in the digital era and the methodologies it should use. As a second step, the report discusses the application of competition rules to platforms and data as well as discussing whether European merger control needs an update.
Data protection authority welcomes EU-US electronic evidence agreement
The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has published its opinion on the negotiating mandate of an agreement between the US and the EU on cross-border access to electronic evidence. The EDPS welcomes the agreement to ensure a high level of protection for personal data in transfers for law enforcement purposes and appreciates the commitment to introduce sufficient safeguards . The EDPS opinion provides recommendations for potential improvements and clarifications of the negotiating directives and aims to set out objective and constructive advice.
