Know your rights
Consumer protection legislation in the EU guarantees that everyone has the right to be treated fairly when buying goods and services whether online or offline.
European legislation guarantees consumers
- fair treatment
- products which meet acceptable standards
- a right of redress if something goes wrong
Before complaining to a trader, it can be helpful to find out more about your rights, so you know the entitlements and remedies that apply to your situation.
Many organisations across the EU can provide helpful information about consumer rights. If you have a consumer problem related to a purchase of goods or services from a trader based in another EU country, you can seek advice from your European Consumer Centre (ECC) free of charge.
The ECCs can
- advise on your consumer rights
- assist you to resolve a complaint against a trader based in another EU country, Iceland or Norway with the aim of achieving amicable outcomes
- redirect you to an appropriate body if they cannot help
Other means of redress
If the ODR process cannot help you, you can try other ways to solve your dispute
- European Consumer Centres
- Small claims procedure
- Court procedure
- European payment order
- Consumer organisations
For more information on justice and rights