What have consumers gained because of EU EESC – Group III Wien October 2018 Evangelia Kekeleki

Main facts 85% of legislation in “Brussels” Internal Market enhances consumers’ choice The Euro facilitates transactions 40 years of consumers’ protection The Precautionary Principle

4 key-objectives Safety Choice Protection – Enforcement Update 2 recent objectives: Sustainability Environmental protection

Only products that are safe can be placed on the EU market Safety Only products that are safe can be placed on the EU market Horizontal legislation Sectoral legislation CE mark – RAPEX – RASFF – Food Safety – Additives – Chemicals – Claims – Product Liability – Medicines – CO2 – Energy efficiency etc.

Consumers should be able to choose the right for them product Choice Consumers should be able to choose the right for them product Fair competition Information Multiple choices Labeling (food, electrical equipment, cloths etc) – information (contracts) – Selling prices – Geoblocking – Universal Services etc.

Protection of Rights and Financial Interests (1) Consumers should be fairly treated Legislative measures Enforcement

Protection of Rights and Financial Interests (2) Legislative measures Commercial Practices – Withdrawal – Guarantees – Compensation – ADR-ODR – Injunctions – Passengers rights – Holidays – Financial Products – Roaming – Portability – Digital Rights etc.

Protection of Rights and Financial Interests (3) Enforcement Market Supervisory Bodies – Independent Authorities – Penalties – ECC – Consumer Protection Cooperation etc.

Update of Consumer’ Rights Markets change Existing rules to be adapted New rules must fill the gaps Old rules must be deleted

Is Everything Perfect for consumers? Yes, we have made great progress BUT No, we are still far from being very well protected

Problems Enforcement Market supervision Energy poverty Over-indebtness Discriminations and risk of exclusion Personal data Digitalization Breach of consumers’ rights Precautionary principle Minimum VS maximum harmonization Quarantees Non performing loans

OR Future European dream and values? Euroscepticism, populism, EU death? Consumers can give the answer!

Let us, consumers, support EU’s existence and fight for a better EU!

Thank you