Check out our information on the European Union’s anti-spam laws and also explore the individual laws of seperate European nations.
European Union
- E-Privacy Directive: Directive 2002/58/EC Concerning the Processing of Personal Data and the Protection of Privacy in the Electronic Communications Sector, 2002 O.J. (L 201) 37 [EUR-Lex] [EuroCAUCE]
- E-Commerce Directive: Directive 2000/31/EC on Certain Legal Aspects of Information Society Services, in Particular Electronic Commerce, in the Internal Market, 2000 O.J. (L 178) 1 [EUR-Lex] [EuroCAUCE]
- Telecommunications Privacy Directive: Directive 97/66/EC Concerning the Processing of Personal Data and the Protection of Privacy in the Telecommunications Sector, 1998 O.J. (L 024) 1 (repealed and replaced by Directive 2002/58/EC) [EUR-Lex]
- Distance Contracts Directive: Directive 97/7/EC on the Protection of Consumers in Respect of Distance Contracts, 1997 O.J. (L 144) 19 [EUR-Lex]
- Data Protection Directive: Directive 95/46/EC on the Protection of Individuals with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data and on the Free Movement of Such Data, 1995 O.J. (L 281) 31 [EUR-Lex] [Privacy.Org] [CDT]
- European Commission study: “Junk” E-Mail Costs Internet Users Euro 10 Billion a Year Worldwide (Feb. 2, 2001)
- Internal Market Directorate General
- EUR-LEX: European Union Law
- European Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email (EuroCAUCE)
- EuroCAUCE Survey of Countries
Austria
- Austrian Data Protection Commission
- Austrian Legal Provisions on Direct Marketing
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
- Danish Consumer Ombudsman, Collapse of Internet Negotiations (Sept. 30, 1998)
- Foreningen for Ansvarlig Brug af EmaiL (FABEL) [Association for Responsible Use of Email]
- Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen’s Position Paper to Trading and Marketing on the Internet and in Similar Communication Systems (Dec. 30, 1998) (press release)
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Denmark
Finland
- Personal Data Act (adopted March 1999) (Finnish | Swedish)
- Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen’s Position Paper to Trading and Marketing on the Internet and in Similar Communication Systems (Dec. 30, 1998) (press release)
- Spämmäys ja lainsäädäntö
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Finland
France
- Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) [National Data Processing and Liberties Commission], Electronic Mailing and Data Protection (Oct. 14, 1999) (French) (press release)
- EuroCAUCE Survey: France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
- Legislative Decree Implementing Distance Contracts Directive (May 22, 1999)
- Pagina Antispam in italiano
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
- Telecommunications Act articles 11.7, 11.8
- OPTA
- Code Verspreiding Reclame via E-mail
- Spamvrij.nl (antispam foundation)
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Netherlands
Norway
- Act No. 47 of 16 June 1972 relating to the Control of Marketing and Contract Terms and Conditions (Marketing Control Act) § 2a (as amended effective March 1, 2001)
- Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen’s Position Paper to Trading and Marketing on the Internet and in Similar Communication Systems (Dec. 30, 1998) (press release)
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
- Marknadsföringslag (1995:450) (Marketing Practices Act)
- Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen’s Position Paper to Trading and Marketing on the Internet and in Similar Communication Systems (Dec. 30, 1998) (press release)
- EuroCAUCE Survey: Sweden
United Kingdom
- U.K. Dep’t of Trade & Industry, Implementation of EU Directive 97/7/EC on the Protection of Consumers in Respect of Distance Contracts: A Further Consultation Paper, Nov. 1999 — annex A
- U.K. Office of Fair Trading, Problems with Online Shopping?
- EuroCAUCE Survey: United Kingdom