The Federation of e-commerce companies has submitted its proposals for a more digital, more efficient and more responsible business to the presidential election candidates.
"With a growth of 15% during the year 2021 and a turnover close to 130 billion euros, the importance of e-commerce in the national economic dynamism is no longer to be proven, points out the Fevad. E-commerce represents a deep-seated movement that runs through the French economy and society as a whole, involving many other activities, from logistics to distribution. It has shown its full usefulness during the health crisis and offers undeniable advantages for all retailers, particularly SMEs / VSEs.
To support public decision-makers towards a global trade policy, Fevad has formulated 15 major proposals to meet the major challenges of e-commerce in France in a renewed economic and social context. These proposals are based on 5 major themes: fairness, competitiveness, CSR, employment and the digitalisation of commerce.
1. Stabilise the national regulatory framework in line with European legislation.
Avoid any over-transposition of European legislation in the digital sector so as not to penalise French players and/or those established on the national territory or harm the single market. Take into account the imperatives of competitiveness and attractiveness of the territory when drafting national legislation, to avoid penalising these same players.
2. Ensure a fair application of the rules to players operating on the European market, regardless of their country of establishment.
Contribute to strengthening European harmonisation and cooperation in the application of European law to reinforce the "level playing field" between players operating on the European market, regardless of their country of establishment. This will ensure the same level of consumer protection and equal conditions of competition, as well as combat "forum shopping". Strengthen control over operators located outside Europe in terms of compliance with European law and ensure effective market surveillance.
3. Simplify the rules in the framework of future legislation.
Make the adoption of a new measure conditional on the abolition of an existing measure to avoid the piling up of obligations, in particular those applicable to VSEs/SMEs.
4. Implement a tax deferral scheme for all digital transformation investments made by trading companies, or extend the scope of the research tax credit.
5. Create an interministerial "commerce" delegation or implement the strategic sector committees for commerce, to ensure a global commerce policy.
6. End preferential postal terminal dues for deliveries from China within the Universal Postal Union.
7. Encourage consumption of products from the circular economy.
Introduce reduced VAT on products and services from the circular economy (second-hand products, repair services and spare parts), with a commitment from e-tailers to pass on the reduction in prices. Abolish the private copy levy on refurbished products. Create a database similar to the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL) to collect all product certifications through a one-stop-shop and entrust the labels with their control.
8. Support the transport/delivery sector in its environmental transition.
Strengthen tax incentives for low-carbon transport modes (electric, NGV, Bio Gas) (suramortissement loi Climat) or grant advantages on the use of public space (priority access for clean vehicles, reserved lanes). Impose the installation of standardised boxes and lockers for all new buildings (residential) to limit second deliveries and optimise shipments by pooling deliveries and returns. Introduce delivery areas for the sole use of transport professionals, in particular with the introduction of connected parking areas in major urban centres.
9. Reduce the environmental footprint of e-commerce warehouses.
Simplify and facilitate the establishment of logistics warehouses in already developed areas by identifying and mobilising available land areas (need to renew and expand the "Logistics Territories" scheme initiated at the time of the Interministerial Committee on Logistics).
Committee on Logistics). Enable strategic planning of logistics zones throughout the territory by linking logistics needs and solutions at the regional level and identifying land areas served by mass transport modes and networks. Support the transformation of e-commerce warehouse real estate into greener buildings (e.g. HQE certified warehouses) for the construction of new warehouses.
10. Encourage the acculturation or conversion of employees through the creation/strengthening of specific continuous training programmes.
Support the accompaniment of men and women to new professions and new forms of sales, particularly small traders for the digitalisation of their business.
11. Integrate digital technology into national education programmes from an early age.
And throughout schooling, in particular, to train young people for jobs where there is a shortage of talent.
12. Promote the professions in a sector that provides qualified and permanent jobs, particularly those in short supply.
Encourage the feminisation of tech professions: include in the initial and continuing training of teachers and school guidance counsellors a cycle of awareness-raising on gender inequalities in scientific fields and on stereotypes of the tech professions. Systematically involve tech companies in the career discovery forums organised by the National Education in secondary schools. Propose to the French Ministry of Education that it organise information/guidance sessions for pupils entitled "Tech careers, opportunities for the future" for secondary school classes in the 4th and 3rd grades.
13. Continue and intensify financial support for the digital transition of local businesses by extending the "digital transformation assistance cheque" operation and/or by introducing a tax credit for the digitisation of VSEs and SMEs.
14. Set up a dedicated body to strengthen the coordination of the policy of digitalisation of businesses in charge of diagnosis, financing, support and the creation of performance indicators.
15. Support local authorities in the deployment of local solutions to help with the digital transformation and the provision of various existing solutions aimed at promoting short circuits and local commerce, in particular via the “Banque des territoires”.
These proposals are the result of in-depth work by Fevad companies, a group of responsible and committed professionals, to participate fully in the collective debate on the future of commerce in the service of the economy, employment and the French.
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