During the Global Entrepreneurship Week, which took place from 15 to 21 November in 104 countries across the world, eBay\'s Director of SME Businesses Jody Ford reminded the UK business community and policy makers that SMEs still face a number of regulatory barriers to sell cross-border. He highlighted unnecessary differences in current consumer protection laws, even within the European Union, as an especially notable barrier.

"E-commerce provides access to the global market. Nine out of ten eBay businesses export to Europe and beyond, and are increasingly taking advantage of fluctuating exchange rates and geographical demand. However significant barriers remain, often preventing these online entrepreneurs from reaching their global potential.

"Currently, if a small business wants to sell to other EU countries, it needs to comply with as many as 27 different sets of consumer protection rules. According to the Online Business Index, eBay\'s barometer of online firms, 58% believe this is a barrier. The rules need to be simplified - almost half (41%) say that simpler rules would encourage them to grow their business overseas. And 44% say they would even be prepared to accept tougher rules in exchange for a simpler, more straightforward system (...)"

eBay\'s Government Relations team remains committed to work with governments at national and European levels in order to provide SMEs with a fair, safe and straightforward online business environment.