Consumer Safety: Products and Services

	RAPEX annual report 2010 Keeping European consumers safe is the mission of the European Rapid Alert System for non-food consumer products (RAPEX). The RAPEX 2010 Annual Report describes the functioning of the RAPEX system in 2010 and includes detailed information about the number and origin of notifications, the type and country of origin of notified products, and the identified risks. In total, 2 244 products presenting risks to the health and safety of consumers were reported through RAPEX last year, compared to 1 993 in 2009, which represents a 13% increase. The report also looks at the key developments in 2010 and gives an overview of the challenges ahead for 2011.
	RAPEX annual report 2009 Keeping European consumers safe is the mission of the European Rapid Alert System for non-food consumer products (RAPEX). The RAPEX 2009 Annual Report describes the functioning of the RAPEX system in 2009 and includes detailed information about the number and origin of notifications, the type and country of origin of notified products, and the identified risks. In total, 1 933 products presenting risks to the health and safety of consumers were reported through RAPEX last year, compared to 1 866 in 2008, which represents a 17% increase. The report also looks at the key developments in 2009 and gives an overview of the challenges ahead for 20010.
	Consumer Markets Scoreboard - second edition The Consumer Markets Scoreboard is a tool designed to identify where the internal market is not functioning well for consumers and where intervention may be needed. The second edition of the Scoreboard finds that consumers are less satisfied and experience more problems with services than with goods markets. It also finds that consumers empowered by switching help to improve the outcomes for all consumers since consumers are less likely to report price increases in markets with higher switching rates. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
	RAPEX annual report 2008 Keeping European consumers safe is the mission of the European Rapid Alert System for non-food consumer products (RAPEX). The RAPEX 2008 Annual Report describes the functioning of the RAPEX system in 2008 and includes detailed information about the number and origin of notifications, the type and country of origin of notified products, and the identified risks. In total, 1 866 products presenting risks to the health and safety of consumers were reported through RAPEX last year, compared to 1 605 in 2007, which represents a 16% increase. The report also looks at the key developments in 2008 and gives an overview of the challenges ahead for 2009.
	Consumer Markets Scoreboard - first edition The Consumer Markets Scoreboard is a tool designed to identify where the internal market is not functioning well for consumers, and where intervention may be needed. The Scoreboard looks at five top-level indicators – complaints, prices , satisfaction, switching and safety – to identify malfunctioning consumer markets that need further analysis. The Scoreboard will also track progress in retail market integration and benchmark the national consumer markets and policies. Consumer Markets Scoreboard'
	Rapex Annual Report 2007 (April 2008) Keeping European consumers safe is the mission of the European Rapid Alert System for non-food consumer products (RAPEX). The RAPEX 2007 Annual Report describes the functioning of the RAPEX system in 2007 and includes detailed information about the number and origin of notifications, the type and country of origin of notified products, and the identified risks. In total, 1 605 products presenting risks to the health and safety of consumers were reported through RAPEX last year, compared to 1 051 in 2006, which represents a 53% increase. The report also looks at the key developments in 2007 and gives an overview of the challenges ahead for 2008.
	How to read a label:
	Consumers in Europe (27 November 2007) This publication brings together the most relevant and useful information for the evaluation and development of consumer policy. The material includes data from various sources including EUROSTAT, other Commission services as well as other surveys and studies. This edition focuses on services of general interest. Although the prime objective of this publication is to help policy-makers at the European level to better understand the needs of consumers in general, the publication should also be of use to other stakeholders interested in consumer affairs, such as consumer organisations, other public authorities and even suppliers of goods and services. This is the third edition of a series of publications. Data cover the period 1999-2006.
	On 13 March 2007 the Commission adopted a “Consumer Policy Strategy" for the years 2007-2013. (800 KB)
	RAPEX annual report 2006 (March 2007) The RAPEX 2006 Annual Report 2006 describes the functioning of the RAPEX system in 2006 and includes detailed information about the number and origin of notifications, the type and country of origin of notified products, and the identified risks. In total, 924 products presenting a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers were reported through RAPEX last year, compared to 701 in 2005, which represents a 32% increase. The report also looks at the key developments in 2006 and finishes off by drawing the main conclusions and by touching on the future challenges.
	Notifications of dangerous products by producers and distributors Leaflet prepared by the European Commission in order to promote an obligation of producers and distributors to notify to the competent national authorities of the Member States unsafe products placed on the EU market
	Ensuring the safety of products for all EU citizens The expansion of trade both within the EU and with commercial partners located in other parts of the world has increased the variety of food and non-food products available to European citizens. Protecting the health and safety of consumers as they buy and use products in all Member States is a top priority for the EU. In the EU, general product safety requirements ensure the safety of all non-food products proposed to individual consumers in the internal market. These are complemented by a rapid alert network which is activated across the EU if a serious risk is identified.

Safeguarding Consumers' Interests

	EU-UEFA ADVICE LEAFLET: 10 Tips to Know Before You Go! Five million fans are expected to travel to Euro 2008 this summer. We know that for the unlucky few, practical problems may prove a major headache - airplane delays, car hire, roaming charges, stolen goods and ticket problems. We are here to help. As an EU citizen you have very strong consumer rights and there is a lot of practical advice at hand. HEre are 10 thing you should know before you go.
	Leaflet on basic consumer rights Protecting consumers’ rights, prosperity and wellbeing are core values of the European Union (EU). For this reason, EU laws are designed to ensure that the internal market is open and transparent, allowing consumers to exercise real choices and to be treated fairly. Here below are 10 basic rights which you as a consumer can enjoy, regardless of where you are in the EU1.
	Your rights as a consumer With this brochure, you will learn more about what the EU is doing for you as a European consumer, how it is protecting your rights and interests and how to uphold your rights in case of a problem. The brochure is intended as a short practical guide, answering some of the most common questions the Commission receives from consumers about their rights. To learn more about the specific situation in your country, you should contact your national consumer organisations.
	New laws to stop unfair behaviour towards consumers As the European Union develops, the potential for the internal market becomes ever greater. Many barriers to cross-border trading have already been brought down and new possibilities for businesses and consumers have opened up. And yet many Europeans still hesitate when it comes to cross-border transactions, worried that they will not be guaranteed the same level of protection they have in their own country or confused about the different laws in other Member States.

Redress: Asserting Consumer Rights

Factsheet on the European Consumer Centre Network Providing information and support as consumers shop across the EU Consumers must be able to take advantage of the best deals on offer in the EU and feel confident in making purchases both at home and abroad.

Providing information and support as consumers shop across the EU Consumers must be able to take advantage of the best deals on offer in the EU and feel confident in making purchases both at home and abroad. The ECC-Net is an EU-wide network that provides information on cross-border shopping, ensures consumers are aware of their rights and gives support in the event of a complaint.

Consumer Information and Education Activities

Helping consumers to help themselves A number of developments, including world trade liberalisation, the completion of the European single market, economic and monetary union, new information technologies, market liberalisation and sophisticated strategies for promoting increasingly complex products, have had a significant effect on consumers. More than ever before, people must be fully aware of their rights and obligations, understand the functioning of the economy, improve their ability to make purchasing decisions and be more assertive when it comes to commercial pressures. The EU is working to raise the awareness of all citizens on consumer issues and ensure that everyone has the skills to take advantage of shopping opportunities within the Internal Market.