EU Consumer Rights Protection

In their role of consumers, ordinary EU citizens are key players in the Union’s new frontier-free single market. The Union has in fact incorporated as the basis of its consumer policy, the protection of the five fundamental rights which lie at the heart of national policies.

These are:

1. The protection of consumers’ health and safety

Only products which will not endanger health or safety may be put on the market. This means setting safety requirements, providing full information about potential risks, protecting consumers against physical injury.

2. The protection of consumers’ economic interests

There is for example a general ban on misleading advertising and unfair terms in contracts with consumers.

3. Consumer rights to information and education

Consumers need to be put in a position where they can make an informed choice among goods and services offered. This includes objective information on the features and price of the items available. Consumers also require proper information about their efficient and safe use.

4. The right to redress

Consumers have the right to receive advice and help when seeking redress for faulty products or for injury or damage resulting from the use of goods and services. There need to be simple, affordable and rapid procedures for settling complaints and claims.

5. Consumer representation and participation

Representatives of consumers need to be present in decision-taking procedures on issues of concern to them at local, national or EU level. At Union level, this covers not only specific consumer issues but also other relevant policy areas like food laws, transport, competition policy, financial services, environment and the like.

When the Community (the former name of European Union) adopted its first consumer programme in 1975, it focused on the practical application of the five principles. As a first result, a number of directives were adopted over the next 10 years covering among other things the safety of cosmetic products, the labeling of foodstuff, misleading advertising, consumer rights in door-step selling, product liability and the provision of consumer credit.

In addition to its programme of legislation on consumer protection, the Union took steps to make sure the interests of consumers are taken into account at local and EU level. It has supported the development of national consumer organizations and of five major EU-wide organizations with consumer interests. These are: the European Consumer’s Organization, the Confederation of Family Organizations in the EU, the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, the European Trade Union Confederation and the European Interregional Institute for Consumer Affairs. Internally, the European Commission created an independent Consumer Policy Service in order to give more authority and a higher profile to the implementation of consumer policy.

The single market, like any other, needs to balance the interests of buyers and sellers if it is to operate efficiently. This means not only fixing additional rules for consumer protection but also ensuring that existing ones are applied correctly (which is not always the case).

IV. Answer the following questions to the text.

1. How can you characterize EU market?

2. State five main principles of EU policy of consumer protection.

3. What was the result of the first consumer programme?

4. What aspects did those directives cover?

5. Are interests of consumers taken at all levels?

6. Name five major EU-wide organizations with consumer interests.

7. Why is it necessary to balance the interests of buyers and sellers?

V. Say whether the following statements are true or false. If a statement is false, change it to make it true.

1. Only products which will endanger health or safety may be put on the market.

2. Consumers should be informed about potential risks and protected against physical injury.

3. There’s a ban on truthful advertising.