Brussels, 17/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is in favour of a European consumer policy that places consumers at the heart of the single market, keeps them better informed of their rights, and thus gives them the means to make better use of these rights so that they enjoy the full potential of the internal market. This was stated in a resolution prepared by Dyriacos Trianphyllides (GUE/NGL, Cyprus) in Strasbourg on 15 November, on the subject of a new strategy for consumer policy.
The Parliament welcomed the Commission's initiative to launch a programme for the protection of consumers (EUROPE 10492) and considers that the Commission must propose a determined policy with a view to establishing a coherent legal framework. Political priorities should be based on statistics from the consumer market scoreboard and take account of the recently published list of 20 major concerns expressed by citizens and business with regard to the single market, the Parliament says. MEPs welcome the proposals set out by the Commission in its work programme for 2012 aimed at review of its policy and legislative strategy for consumers, and underlines in particular the need to ensure that consumers throughout the EU benefit from the full protection afforded by the main legislative texts, such as the directive on unfair trade practice and the directive on consumer credit.
Among the challenges facing the consumer protection programme, MEPs note consumer accountability, reduction of inequality, the promotion of sustainable consumption, a reduction in exposure to dangerous products, and action to protect against misleading or untruthful advertising, especially when children are involved. The Parliament invites those responsible for consumer policy to carry out in-depth reflection on the development of policies that are better adjusted to provide consumers with the concrete information that they require, without engendering additional cost for business.
In the context of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, it will be appropriate to gear consumer policy more to social and environmental objectives, the Parliament states. However, it considers it is just as necessary to ensure correct implementation of the existing regulations (and in particular the last directive on consumer rights) as well as the diffusion of relevant information on each party's rights and obligations. The Commission is invited to establish best practice allowing the 27 member states to correctly apply the existing legislative arsenal.
The Commission, for its part, is invited to ensure specific protection to consumer groups that are particularly vulnerable due to mental or physical disability, psychological deficiency, age or gullibility, or made fragile by their social or financial situation. The Parliament supports the Commission's work on the behavioural economy, as it believes such work is essential to ensure that consumer protection measures are applied effectively.
The Commission and member states are invited to strengthen international cooperation and to foster the exchange of information on consumer protection with third countries. (AN/transl.jl)