Commerce: late payment in commercial transactions

The Commission considers that the Council's common position represents considerable progress in combating the late payments phenomenon. It would have preferred that a more decisive action were taken on a certain number of points and regrets the deletion of the obligation regarding retention of title whereby the debtor would have to settle fully the damages suffered by the creditor, as well as the mutual recognition of the retention of title. The Commission, nevertheless, accepts the common position because the chances of improving it seem slim for as long as the European Parliament does not give it renewed impetus.�