The Rapporteur calls for consumers to be able to exercise their rights simply and effectively in basic areas relating to food, financial and digital services, energy and health. He stresses that e-commerce needs to ensure the quality of products and that vulnerable groups of the population such as children and the elderly needs special attention. The Rapporteur emphasises the importance of the current financial crisis regarding both the economic as well as the social context as this affects consumers' confidence.
Several comments were made as regards the need for strengthening enforcement mechanisms, the importance to progress on the collective redress initiative and on the situation of European consumers in a wider global context where services and goods go beyond the EU frontiers. Further clarification of certain recommendations is still needed. Consequently, it was decided to postpone the deadline for amendments from 10 January to 22 January 2013.
Source : © European Union, 2012 - EP