Commissioner Reding tackled seven points of DG JUST's work programme which are of particular relevance to IMCO’s remit:
1. Consumer Protection: The Consumer Agenda is a work programme focusing on how to improve the enforcement of consumers’ rights between now and 2020.
2. Data Protection Package: The proposed regulation is the measure which is of direct relevance to IMCO’s work and this will bear potentially 2 impacts: a commercial impact (it will bring about savings in the range of 2.3 billion € per year to businesses as it will set out one single body of rules instead of 27 different regimes which will be overseen by independent national regulators) and the sanctions imposed on businesses will be quite prohibitive and this will protect better consumers.
3. The Consumer Rights Directive is now in its implementation phase. This directive will give more rights to consumers such as, the banning of excessive credit card charges and pre-ticked boxes in on-line purchases; and, a 14 days withdrawal period.
4. Digital Single Market and the Digital Agenda: The current consumer acquis does provide protection for online purchases, however it needs to be implemented and enforced correctly. Guidelines are needed for national authorities; a model for businesses is called for; as well as, better enforcement through the CPC network.
5. Unfair Commercial Practices: the Commission will issue in March a report on the implementation of this directive and will address issues such as financial services and immovable property.
6. Misleading and Comparative Advertising Directive: Not only consumers but also businesses need protection (especially SMEs). The foreseen measures by this directive need to be modernised and made more stringent. A proposal will be published in the second term of 2013.
7. Legal Aid in cross-border cases: Mrs Reding pointed towards a Commission report and also to the IMCO report drafted by Mr Mayer which underline shortcomings of the current system and make proposals to the Commission. The problem here is two-fold: a) the lack of awareness of citizens; b) the need for further training of lawyers and judges. Also, ADR and ODR need to be seen as reliable and accessible by citizens. A proposal on collective redress will be further tool which could provide additional security to consumers carrying out cross-border trade.
Despite these measures put in place, consumers need to become more aware of their rights and Mrs Reding feels that an awareness-raising campaign is most necessary.
Source : © European Union, 2013 - EP