Why do consumers enjoy less protection for certain low-value payments?
Cost-effective, easy-to-use payment instruments cover a broad range of different payment methods, such as classical e-money (e.g., Proton in Belgium, ChipKnip in the Netherlands), mobile-payments and new payment solutions. Although new payment solutions are evolving rapidly, consumers seem to have confidence in using them. Consumers appreciate their simplicity and convenience and in exchange are willing to receive less information and enjoy less protection than would be the case if the same payment were made from a classical bank account. Since such instruments are designed to be used mainly for the frequent purchase of low-priced goods and services, in the interest of simplicity and convenience, the Directive allows them to be used without being overburdened by excessive requirements (e.g. information on all transactions executed; reimbursement of pre-paid card if lost or stolen ). However, there are limits: individual payment transactions must not exceed EUR 30 or there must be a spe
