07/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – A procedural step was taken on Tuesday 7 July towards adopting a directive that will give consumers greater opportunities to collectively defend their rights, by being represented in legal proceedings by qualified professionals when companies commit the same breach of EU law against them. The European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs unanimously endorsed the political agreement reached on 22 June between the EU Council and the European Parliament on this legislation (see EUROPE 12517/15). “During a period of economic crisis in which Europe is being tested, the European Union is proving that it can adapt to new realities, better protect its citizens and offer them new and specific rights in the face of globalisation and its excesses”, said Geoffroy Didier (EPP, France), the European Parliament's rapporteur on this issue, in a statement. (AN)