Consumer Policy supports the aims laid out in Articles 153 and 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, which promote the interests,
health and safety of European consumers. It is designed to ensure that the internal market is open, fair and transparent, allowing consumers to
exercise real choice, excluding rogue traders, and helping consumers and businesses take full advantage of the market’s potential.
Consumers to get faster, easier and cheaper solutions to disputes with EU traders
29 November 2011 – The Commission's new legislative proposals ensure that EU consumers solve their disputes with traders without going to court. Online shoppers from other EU countries will be able to solve their disputes directly online within 30 days.
Consumers: EU move to reduce cigarette ignited fires to save hundreds of lives each year
Cigarettes left unattended are one of the leading causes of fatal fires in Europe. Evidence shows that the number of fatalities can be reduced by over 40% with the introduction of 'Reduced Ignition Propensity' (RIP) cigarettes i.e. cigarettes which self-extinguish when left unattended and are thus less likely to cause fire.
Proposal for the new Consumer programme 2014-2020
Commissioner Dalli today presented the proposal for the new Consumer Programme 2014 - 2020 which will support EU consumer policy in the years to come. The aim is to place consumers at the centre of the Single Market and empower them to participate actively in the market and make it work for them. The proposal will be discussed by the Council and European Parliament from December 2011. The new Regulation should enter into force in 2014.
Air Passengers’ Rights – Report from the European Consumer Centres
On 28 October 2011, the European Consumer Centres Network publish their report “Air Passengers Rights Report 2011 – in the aftermath of the Volcanic Ash Crisis”, highlighting problems that passengers in the EU experienced in 2010 and still do today i.e. cancelled flights and lost luggage. The report examines the help available to passengers in those circumstances.
