|
Introduction
On 13 March 2007 the Commission adopted a Consumer Policy Strategy
 for 2007-2013.
The strategy sets out the challenges, role, priorities and actions of EU consumer policy for this period.
Between November 2004 and September 2006, Consumer organisations have been consulted on various occasions to define the future priorities of consumer policy.
In particular, at a workshop organized by the General assembly of Consumer organisations in Brussels (12-)13 November 2004), in the framework of the European Consultative Consumer
Group (ECCG) (10 December 2004, 16 March 2005, 20 September 2006), and through bilateral hearings held with many national consumer organizations in January-February 2005 in Belgium,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Germany, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Luxemburg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Poland. Besides, meetings were held with
the Bureau Européen des Associations de Consommateurs (BEUC), and the European association for the coordination
of consumer representation in standardization (ANEC).
The overall objectives of the Strategy are to empower consumers, to enhance their welfare and to protect them effectively. The Commission's vision is to achieve
by 2013 a single, simple set of rules for the benefit of consumers and retailers alike.
More broadly, the European Consumer Policy aims at making the European Union a tangible reality for each European citizen through guaranteeing their rights
as consumers in their everyday life. Consumer policy can also contribute to alleviate social problems and, thus, contributes to a more cohesive society throughout the 27 Member States.
The priorities of the strategy are to:
-
Increase consumer confidence in the internal market – which contributes to the improvement of business competitiveness – by establishing a uniform regulatory environment that is equally enforced across the European market and which effectively protects consumers.
-
Strengthen consumers’ position in the marketplace by developing consumer education tools, the active support of EU consumer organisations, and their involvement in policy making.
- Ensure that consumer concerns are taken into account in all EU policies.
-
Complement Member States' consumer policies.
-
Collect consumer-related data to support the development of legislative proposals and other initiatives.
 To top
Background documents
On 13 March 2007 the Commission adopted a “Consumer Policy Strategy" for the years 2007-2013.
Council Resolution on the Consumer Policy Strategy of the EU (2007 – 2013)
(2803rd EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL POLICY, HEALTH AND CONSUMER
AFFAIRS Council meeting - Brussels, 30-31 Mai 2007)
Communication from the Commission
to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on the EU Consumer Policy strategy 2007-2013
FR version updated 13-06-2007
Summary of the Impact Assessment Report
Full Impact Assessment Report
Review of the Consumer Policy Strategy 2002-2006
Ex-post evaluation of the impact of the Consumer
Policy Strategy 2002-2006 on national consumer policies.
Previous Consumer Policy Strategies :
Commission Communication "Healthier, Safer, more
confident citizens: a health and consumer protection strategy" and
Proposal for a Decision establishing a programme of Community
action in the field of Health and Consumer Protection
2007-2013,
COM (2005)115
(446 KB)
Impact assessment
(396 KB)
European Parliament Resolution
of 13 March 2003 on the Commission Communication on the Consumer Policy Strategy 2002-2006
Opinion
of the European Economic and Social Committee of 26 February 2003 on the Communication from the Commission on Consumer Policy Strategy 2002-2006
Council Resolution
of 2 December 2002 on Community Consumer Policy Strategy 2002-2006
Consumer Policy Strategy
(2002-2006), 07 May 2002
Reference
to interim report on Consumer Policy Action Plan, 23 August 2001
Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999-2001
Council Resolution of 28 June 1999 on Community consumer policy 1999 to 2001
To top
| 
