EIBF Applauds Decision of the EU Consumer Protection Network Adopts Pragmatic Approach to Legacy Book Stock

The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) has welcomed a new guidance from the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network that adopts a pragmatic approach to legacy stock under the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive.

A Win for Common Sense
For booksellers across Europe, the decision marks a significant victory. Unlike fast-moving consumer goods, books—especially backlist titles—often remain on shelves for years. Many independent bookshops maintain inventories of tens of thousands of titles, and a rigid enforcement of legacy stock rules could have led to mass returns, the destruction of perfectly good books, and substantial financial losses. Such outcomes would have directly contradicted the circular economy principles the Directive aims to promote.

CPC Network Recognizes Business Efforts
The CPC Network’s guidance acknowledges that disproportionate measures, such as product recalls or destruction, should be avoided when businesses have made reasonable efforts to comply with regulations. This recognition provides much-needed clarity and relief for booksellers navigating the new directive.

Private Enforcement Remains a Concern
However, EIBF cautions that one major issue persists: the risk of private enforcement. Even with public authorities taking a sensible approach, the threat of civil litigation in some Member States continues to create legal uncertainty. Without uniform interpretation across the EU, booksellers may still face pressure to pull books from shelves—despite the CPC’s clear intent to avoid such outcomes.

Commitment to Balanced Implementation
EIBF has reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with EU institutions and national authorities to ensure the ECGT Directive is implemented in a way that safeguards consumers while protecting cultural diversity, independent bookshops, and the millions of books currently in circulation. The Federation emphasizes that the goal is to balance consumer protection with the preservation of Europe’s rich literary heritage.