1. Fernand Van Gansbeke DG Enforcement and Mediation Belgium
Enforcing Consumer Protection Legislation
The Belgian Experience

2. Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
1. Introduction
Belgium : federal state - Kingdom
10,1 mio inhabitants (91 % Belgians)
3 languages (61 % Dutch - 38 % French - <1% German)
3 federate states (Flanders - Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region)
10 provinces + Brussels Capital Region
26 judicial districts
589 municipalities
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

3. 2. DG Enforcement & Mediation Organisation
Market Surveillance : a federal matter
DG Enforcement & Mediation (part of the F.P.S. Economy)
> 35 Acts and 250 Decrees
DG Enforcement & Mediation =
economic and administrative police
(under supervision Minister and Public Prosecutor)
Central offices and 7 regional offices
310 officers (200 field officers)
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

4. 3. Market Surveillance in general
Importance of market surveillance and consumer protection for the market economy
The larger market due to globalisation
The importance of international cooperation
The necessary links between public authority, consumers and the economic agents.
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

5. 4. Protection of Consumers’ Economic Interests
Amsterdam Treaty horizontal policy in the EU
Priority for the new government
Nuclear priority : > complaints per year
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

6. 5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (1)
The basic legislation
>25 laws and 250 Royal Decrees
Trade Practices Act (> Enquiries/year)
Consumer Credit Act (> Enquiries/year)
Matrimonial Agencies Act
Travel Organisation and Intermediation Contract Act
Time Sharing Act
...
Evolution in priorities
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

7. 5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (2)
How do the enforcers take action ?
information
prevention - warning procedure
repression
administrative settement
public prosecutor
administrative measures.
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

8. 6. The role of consumer organisations
Advice in individual cases
Injunction procedure for the protection of consumer interests
Consumer education and information
Deliberation with professional organisations
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

9. 7. Cooperation : Public Authorities and Consumer Organisations (1)
Consumer Organisations’ impact
Constant dialogue with professional organisations:
--> through the Consumption Council
>250 balanced opinions on consumer items
Consumer Information and Education
--> time/place on TV and Radio
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

10. 7. Cooperation : Public Authorities and Consumer Organisations (2)
Elaboration of Model Contracts (together with professional organisations), with mediation systems
(--> support from Public Authority)
No direct subsidies from the Public Authorities in order to maintain the independency
The ‘CRIOC’ : study and rechearch center for the Consumer Organisations
--> technical support for C.O.
--> training and information for C.O.
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

11. 8. International cooperation
Globalisation of economy
European internal market
Bilateral cooperation
Protocols FR - UK - LUX - HU
Pragmatic NL - DU
Multilateral cooperation
International Consumer Protection &
Enforcement Network (ICPEN)
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

12. 9. Latest trends in consumer protection - e-commerce
The dilemma
Surveying the internet
Regulatory Framework : Trade Practices Act
+ Law on e-commerce
Growing number of consumer complaints
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

13. 10. Consumer protection in e-commerce (1)
Circumstances
Need for protection against new impostors
Special unities with enforcement services
Specific strategy for controlling e-commerce
2 search teams of 6 officers each
a search day per week in special internet lab
registration of findings, copy of illegal items
warning and follow-up, or repression
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

14. 10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (2)
Technology
Specialised research modules
Identification
Registration
Inspection
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

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27. 10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (3)
Findings and results after 3,5 years of exercice
> 3500 Belgian commercial sites examined
1154 breach records -> 529 warning procedures
> 120 repressive actions
Future
sites aimed at the Belgian market
sites responding on Belgian visitors
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

28. Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
11. Conclusions
Authorities, professional and consumer organisations have all an important role to play
Cross-border consumption --> need for international administrative enforcement cooperation
Welcome the regulation on Consumer Protection Cooperation
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004

29. Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
Fernand T.G. VAN GANSBEKE DG Enforcement & Mediation WTC 3 - Office Boulevard Simon Bolivar 30 B BRUSSELS Phone : Fax : Website :
Thessaloniki (Greece) November 2004