|
Timeline
Political background
Two stage approach to market monitoring
More Facts and Figures
Related work
Timeline
 To top
Political background
The Scoreboard initiative is in line with the Single Market Review which addresses the need to be more responsive to the expectations of
citizens and pay greater attention to outcomes of policies, and with the EU Consumer Policy Strategy 2007-2013
 which strives to empower EU consumers and to put consumer welfare
at the heart of well-functioning markets.
In its conclusions on the Single Market Review of 13/14 March 2008, the Council "welcomed the Commission’s intention to develop
with the Member States a Consumer Markets Scoreboard and new consumer price data". On 18 November 2008, the European Parliament adopted a report endorsing the methodology and indicators and calling for additional
evidence on consumer empowerment. It also underlined the importance of close cooperation with Member States and communication.
A public consultation on the development of the Scoreboard and the broader monitoring initiative ran in October and November 2007
on the basis of a questionnaire. Responses from national authorities, European Consumer Centres, non-governmental organisations, industry and individuals show support for the creation
of the Scoreboard and the use of indicators to monitor whether markets are delivering for consumers.
To top
Two stage approach to market monitoring
The monitoring initiative is based on a two stage approach. In the first stage the Consumer Markets Scoreboard performs a screening of consumers markets, while
in the second stage the markets which are suspected of malfunctioning are analysed in greater detail.
The Scoreboard looks at five top-level indicators –
complaints,
prices ,
satisfaction,
switching and
safety – to identify malfunctioning
consumer markets that need further analysis. In sectors identified as not working for consumers, in-depth market specific analyses will be carried out
addressing the reasons behind failure and suggesting appropriate policy measures. The Scoreboard will also track progress in retail market integration and benchmark the national
consumer markets and policies.
To top
I. Consumer Markets Scoreboard (CMS)
2nd edition of the CMS
The Consumer Markets Scoreboard is a tool 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.
As follow-up, the Commission will collaborate with national stakeholders to gather more quality data to develop a solid consumer evidence base.
In particular, it will encourage regular collection of average
prices of
comparable products and develop a harmonised methodology to classify consumer complaints.
To top
1st edition of the CMS
In 2008, the Commission proposed to establish an annual Consumer Markets Scoreboard'
to monitor the performance of markets in terms of economic and social outcomes for consumers.
To top
II. In-depth market monitoring
E-commerce study
The E-commerce report is the in-depth market analysis that was launched after the publication of the first edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard.
The first edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard identified the need for further analysis of cross-border e-commerce. The report on
cross-border e-commerce is published as a follow-up to the first edition of the Scoreboard. The evidence set out in the report is also a contribution to
the in-depth market monitoring of the retail sector conducted in the context of the Single Market Review.
On 22 October 2009, the Commission adopted a Communication on cross-border e-commerce in the EU that sets out the foundation for a strategy for making cross-border e-commerce work better:
To top
Retail financial services study
The Retail Financial Services report is the in-depth market analysis which was prompted by the market screening process performed in the first Consumer Markets Scoreboard.
This document is available here.
The press release is available here .
The memo is available here.
The speech is available here .
A survey on the prices of current accounts has been carried out in the context of this analysis. The objective of this survey was to produce statistically reliable data on the prices and tariffs for using the services linked to a current bank account in the EU Member States. The data collected on prices needed to be public information, i.e. information available on web sites or leaflets from financial institutions, or from their customer service.
Disclaimer: This report has been produced by outside contractors for DG Health and Consumers and represent their views on the matter. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's or the Health and Consumer Protection DG's views. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in these surveys and studies, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.
This data-gathering process is based on to the initiative of monitoring consumer outcomes in the single market as established in the EU Consumer Policy Strategy 2007 – 2013 which strives to empower EU consumers and to place their welfare at the heart of well functioning markets.
To top
Energy market study
The second edition of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard has revealed that the electricity market, among other sectors, shows signs of malfunctioning.
It has been decided that this market will be focus of a more detailed analysis. This analysis is designed to reveal the issues that consumers have to deal with when
they attempt to identify the electricity provider that offers the best value for their needs or when they try to adjust their consumption patters to their constraints (financial, etc.)
To top
More Facts and Figures
Reliable and up-to-date information (quantitative and qualitative) is essential for better policy making and has long been. It is a cornerstone of Consumer Policy Strategy. The continuous development of data-gathering is also an important part of the Consumer Policy Strategy and Programme 2007-2013.
Convincing policymakers and stakeholders of consumer concerns and demands depends on a clear and defined ‘problem statement’ and a fair and balanced assessment of all the impacts but notably on consumers, competitiveness, the EU market and business costs. Better and effective integration of consumer interests relies especially on objective and comprehensive data about consumer interests in a particular sector or policy area.
Indicators are increasingly useful in justifying policies and in justifying the Commission’s budget and human resources. The Commission needs to monitor and evaluate national consumer policies. This is a Treaty obligation, under Article 153 which requires the Commission to take measures which "support, supplement and monitor" the policies pursued by the Member States. Information is needed in order to develop benchmarks for national consumer policies.
To top
Related work
To top
| 
