The Federal Trade Commission plans to investigate whether US state regulations and business practices have anti-competitive effects on e-commerce. The FTC claims that, according to private estimates, the states’ actions in the area of e-commerce might be costing consumers as much as $15 billion per year.

The FTC will hold a three-day public workshop to explore the issue in October. The workshop will have panels composed of representatives from industry, academia, state and government agencies, and independent public policy organisations.

According to a Federal Register Notice, to be published today, many states’ regulations prohibit the on-line sale of certain products, or require that e-businesses maintain a physical office in their state.

The FTC said: “These restrictions may contribute to sound public policy, or they may constitute attempts by existing industries to forestall the entry of internet competitors and impede new forms of competition.”

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