Professional B2B debt collection operates within legal frameworks designed to protect both creditors and debtors. Understanding these protections produces better outcomes for everyone.
Statutory interest on late payment (ECB + 8% in the EU under the Late Payment Directive), fixed recovery compensation (EUR 40 per invoice in most EU states), right to court proceedings and enforcement, and the right to report non-payment to commercial credit bureaus.
Right to dispute the claim, protection from harassment and deceptive practices (regulated by national collection laws), right to request evidence of the debt, protection through statute of limitations, and insolvency protections that provide orderly resolution of debts the business cannot pay.
The EU Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU) establishes minimum standards across all EU member states: 30-day payment terms for public authorities, 60-day maximum for B2B transactions (unless otherwise agreed), statutory interest, and fixed compensation. National laws implement and often exceed these minimums.
Reputable B2B collection agencies operate under industry codes of conduct that prohibit aggressive tactics while maximising recovery through professional, documented processes. The best agencies protect the creditor's reputation while pursuing the debtor's obligation.
Our debt recovery agency with over 21 years of experience provides: Business to Business Collections Services, Legal Debt Collections and worldwide Skip Tracing services.
