The rapporteur called for a concerted effort to reach a Consumer agenda which is agreed by all based on the 213 amendments submitted to the draft report. The Shadow rapporteurs have divergent views on the approach to be adopted to offer protection to consumers. On one hand, it is felt that that best protection offered is providing the consumer with information to empower the consumer. This could be done by promoting internet portals for more awareness such as Your-Europe. Consumer safety and security is paramount but these should not create obstacles to trade. On the other hand, others felt that without the adequate tools such as proper enforcement, redress (including collective redress) and a sound financing of consumer organisations, to ensure that they build their capacity to defend consumers rights, as simply informing the consumers would not be sufficient.
The rights of consumers are not only about consumers per se, but companies need to be targeted too. Attention needs to be paid to competition policy and what can be perceived as unfair competition both in the offline as well as in the online world. This links also with what is being currently discussed on the proposed regulation on data protection. Consumer data is used increasingly as the new currency between companies without necessarily requesting a clear prior consent to consumers. Better use of the data in the Consumer Conditions and Consumer scoreboard needs to be made to ensure a proper and scientific information flow on consumer issues and market surveillance matters.
Source : © European Union, 2013 - EP