Financial services have a very significant impact on consumers' lives. It is therefore important that consumers make well-informed decisions about which they can feel confident and that they are adequately protected if something goes wrong.

The Commission is committed to ensuring a high degree of consumer protection as a necessary feature of a genuine EU-wide internal market for financial services.

Many of the EU Directives in this field focus on providing consumer protection by regulating the competence and financial strength of the service providers. Others aim at making it easier for consumers to make well-informed choices.

The Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General's work on financial services is focused on:

• Consumer Credit Directive
• Distance marketing of financial services Directive
• Integration of Consumer Interests in other Financial Services legislation
• Consumer Research