--- name: legal-impressum-eu description: EU-wide Impressum requirements under eCommerce Directive 2000/31/EC. Country-by-country compliance matrix. version: 1.0.0 triggers: - impressum eu - ecommerce directive - eu legal notice - european union imprint --- # EU Impressum Requirements > **Jurisdiction:** European Union (27 Member States) > > **Related Skills:** > - [SKILL.md](./SKILL.md) - Austrian requirements (main skill) > - [SKILL-GERMANY.md](./SKILL-GERMANY.md) - German requirements > - [SKILL-WORLD.md](./SKILL-WORLD.md) - International requirements This skill covers EU-wide legal notice requirements based on the eCommerce Directive. --- ## 1. Legal Framework ### Primary EU Legislation | Directive/Regulation | Article | Scope | |---------------------|---------|-------| | **eCommerce Directive 2000/31/EC** | Art. 5 | Information requirements | | **Digital Services Act (DSA)** | Various | Platform transparency | | **GDPR** | Art. 13-14 | Privacy notices | | **Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU** | Art. 6 | B2C online sales | | **ODR Regulation 524/2013** | Art. 14 | Dispute resolution link | | **Services Directive 2006/123/EC** | Art. 22 | Service provider info | ### eCommerce Directive Art. 5 Requirements All EU member states must ensure service providers make available: | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | Name | Full name or business name | | Address | Geographic address (establishment) | | Email | Electronic contact details | | Trade register | Registration number if applicable | | Regulatory authority | If subject to authorization | | VAT ID | If VAT registered | | Professional body | For regulated professions | | Professional title | And member state where granted | | Professional rules | Reference and means of access | | Prices | Clear indication including taxes | --- ## 2. Country-by-Country Requirements ### Comparison Matrix | Country | National Law | Key Differences | |---------|--------------|-----------------| | **Austria** | § 5 ECG | + MedienG Offenlegung for media | | **Germany** | § 5 DDG | + MStV for journalistic content | | **France** | LCEN Art. 6-III | + Publication director (directeur) | | **Italy** | D.Lgs. 70/2003 Art. 7 | + Chamber of commerce registration | | **Spain** | LSSI Art. 10 | + Geographic coordinates optional | | **Netherlands** | Art. 3:15d BW | + Chamber of commerce number | | **Belgium** | Art. XII.6 WER | + Enterprise number (BCE) | | **Poland** | Art. 18 UŚUDE | + NIP and REGON numbers | | **Sweden** | Lag 2002:562 | Relatively minimal requirements | | **Ireland** | SI 68/2003 | + Company registration office | ### Detailed Country Notes #### France (LCEN) Additional requirements: - **Directeur de publication** (publication director) - mandatory - **Hébergeur** (hosting provider) contact details - **Capital social** for companies ``` Mentions légales Éditeur: Exemple SARL 123 Rue de l'Exemple 75001 Paris Directeur de la publication: Jean Dupont Hébergeur: OVH SAS 2 rue Kellermann 59100 Roubaix ``` #### Italy Additional requirements: - **Codice fiscale** (tax code) - **Partita IVA** (VAT number) - **REA** number (chamber of commerce) - **Capitale sociale** (share capital) + "i.v." or "n.i.v." #### Netherlands Additional requirements: - **KvK-nummer** (Chamber of Commerce number) - **BTW-nummer** (VAT number) #### Belgium Additional requirements: - **Ondernemingsnummer/Numéro d'entreprise** (BCE/KBO number) - **BTW/TVA nummer** --- ## 3. VAT Requirements ### When VAT ID is Required | Scenario | VAT ID Required | |----------|-----------------| | Registered for VAT | Yes | | Intra-EU B2B sales | Yes | | B2C cross-border sales | Yes (if VAT registered) | | Below VAT threshold, domestic only | Optional | ### One-Stop Shop (OSS) For B2C cross-border digital services: - Registration in one EU country - Report and pay VAT for all EU sales - Display VAT ID on website --- ## 4. ODR (Online Dispute Resolution) ### Requirement (Regulation 524/2013) For **B2C online sales**, traders must: 1. Provide link to EU ODR platform 2. Display prominently on website 3. Include if email is used for contracts ### Template Text ``` Online Dispute Resolution The European Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution (ODR): https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/ Our email address: [contact@example.com] ``` ### When NOT Required - B2B only websites - Offline-only businesses - Information-only websites (no sales) --- ## 5. Cross-Border Compliance ### Country of Origin Principle Under eCommerce Directive Art. 3: - Comply primarily with **your establishment country's** laws - Target country can impose additional requirements in specific areas ### Multi-Country Strategy For websites serving multiple EU countries: 1. **Minimum**: Comply with establishment country 2. **Recommended**: Cover strictest requirements (DE/AT) 3. **Best practice**: Country-specific legal notices ### Language Requirements | Approach | Description | |----------|-------------| | Local language | Required in some countries (France, Spain) | | English fallback | Acceptable for B2B, risky for B2C | | Multi-language | Best for consumer-facing sites | --- ## 6. Sector-Specific Requirements ### Financial Services - **MiFID II** disclosure requirements - **PSD2** payment service provider info - **IDD** insurance distribution info ### Healthcare - Pharmacy registration - Medical device CE marking - Health professional registration ### Legal/Accounting - Professional body membership - Insurance details (often required) - Jurisdiction of qualification --- ## 7. EU Template (Comprehensive) ``` LEGAL NOTICE / IMPRESSUM Company Information: [Company Name] [Legal Form] [Street Address] [Postal Code] [City] [Country] Contact: Phone: [+XX XXX XXX XXX] Email: [email@example.com] Registration: Commercial Register: [Court/Authority] Registration Number: [Number] VAT ID: [XXXXXXXXXXXX] Representatives: Managing Director(s): [Name(s)] [For regulated professions:] Professional Body: [Chamber/Association] Professional Title: [Title, Member State of grant] Professional Regulations: [Reference, access link] [For media content:] Responsible for Content: [Name, Address] Editorial Direction: [Statement] Online Dispute Resolution: The European Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution (ODR): https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/ Privacy: See our Privacy Policy: [Link] ``` --- ## 8. Brexit Impact (UK) Since January 2021: - UK no longer under eCommerce Directive - EU websites need separate UK compliance - See [SKILL-WORLD.md](./SKILL-WORLD.md) for UK requirements --- ## 9. Compliance Checklist (EU-Wide) ### Minimum (Art. 5 eCommerce Directive) - [ ] Business/owner name - [ ] Geographic address - [ ] Email address - [ ] Trade/commercial register (if applicable) - [ ] VAT ID (if applicable) - [ ] Regulatory authority (if applicable) - [ ] Professional body + rules (if regulated) ### B2C Online Sales (Additional) - [ ] ODR platform link - [ ] Clear pricing including VAT - [ ] Consumer rights information (withdrawal, etc.) ### GDPR (All) - [ ] Privacy notice link - [ ] Cookie consent mechanism --- ## 10. Resources - **EUR-Lex (EU law)**: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ - **EU ODR Platform**: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/ - **Your Europe Business**: https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/ - **ECC-Net (Consumer disputes)**: https://ec.europa.eu/info/ecc-net --- ## Credits & Attribution This skill is part of the webconsulting.at skills collection. Sources: EUR-Lex, European Commission, national implementations