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Reinforced consumer protection cooperation

Consumers

Digitalisation of consumer markets and new business models require enforcers to maintain high levels of efficiency to address business practices infringing EU law. Flexibility, deterrence, cost effectiveness and rapidity are key to counter unfair practices widespread across specific Single Market sectors. The initiative aims to introduce targeted amendments to the “consumer protection cooperation” Regulation in order to address these issues.

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Public consultation

ID: 13535

Lobbying Activity

9 responses

BEUC Urges Tougher Enforcement Powers Against Unfair Online Traders

Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs, 21 Dec 2022

The organization requests a more centralized enforcement model where the Commission can investigate and fine companies. They also want national authorities to have the power to secure direct compensation for harmed consumers.
Consumer organizations would receive formal status and a faster priority response system for reporting infringements.
Dishonest traders outside the EU would face website shutdowns and effective financial penalties.

Austrian Chamber opposes stricter EU consumer protection enforcement

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, 7 Nov 2022

WKÖ rejects further economic burdens and the expansion of enforcement penalties or scope. They advocate focusing on prosecuting serious legal violations instead of general tightening.
This approach would reduce potential compliance costs and prevent higher financial penalties.
Consumer protection authorities lose expanded powers to effectively regulate increasingly complex digital markets.

Booking.com urges EU to preserve voluntary consumer commitments

Booking.com B.V., 21 Dec 2022

Booking.com asks to maintain voluntary commitments to avoid punitive fines. They want coordinated decisions to prevent member states from re-opening cases. The platform also wants the rules applied to non-EU based businesses.
Standardized EU-wide enforcement protects the company from divergent national rules and expensive fines.
National authorities lose autonomy to launch independent investigations into practices already settled centrally.

Ecommerce Europe Urges Dialogue Over Fines in Consumer Law

Ecommerce Europe, 20 Dec 2022

The association advocates for a focus on preventing non-compliance through dialogue rather than punitive fines. They request that authorities issue warnings to give traders time to adapt.
Online retailers would avoid immediate penalties and benefit from reduced compliance costs.

German advertising industry opposes new consumer protection enforcement rules

Zentralverband der deutschen Werbewirtschaft ZAW e.V., 19 Dec 2022

ZAW opposes a legislative proposal to strengthen consumer law enforcement, arguing against further economic burdens. They specifically reject giving the European Commission direct enforcement powers against large market participants.
Maintaining the status quo avoids new costs and centralized regulatory oversight for advertising companies.
Consumers may suffer from less efficient enforcement against unfair digital market practices across borders.

Consultation response

CENTR - Council of European Top Level Domain Registries, 21 Dec 2022

CENTR recommendations CENTR fully supports the proportionate and tiered approach enshrined in Article 9(4) of the CPC Regulation concerning the minimum enforcement powers of consumer protection authorities. CENTR calls on the Commission to enshrine that action at domain name registry level should…

Consultation response

La Française des Jeux, 21 Dec 2022

Deuxième loterie européenne, la Française des Jeux (FDJ) tient à rappeler quen application du principe de subsidiarité, et conformément à la jurisprudence constante de la Cour de Justice de lUnion européenne, il revient aux autorités de chaque Etat membre de convenir du droit et des poursuites…

CGT advocates for consumer education to combat digital abuses

Information et défense des consommateurs salariés – Confédération générale du travail, 7 Dec 2022

The organization calls for strong cooperation with deterrent effects and simplified procedures. They prioritize consumer education and information to prevent scams rather than just relying on legislation. Effective protection requires combining prevention with corrective measures.
Enhanced consumer education would allow their members to effectively use available aid systems.
Disadvantaged consumers face significant barriers in navigating and utilizing complex digital protection tools.

Consultation response

OZ Bez bariéry - Národná platforma proti bariéram, 1 Oct 2022

Na základe prijatých opatrení k prístupu a bezbariérovosti pre osoby s obemdzenou mobilitou navrhujeme vytvorenie a začlenenie do materiálu aj túto oblasť v zmysle Smernice EK č. 2019/882 tak, aby došlo jednak k ďalšiemu spoločnému postupu krajín EÚ. V roku 2021 boli prijaté EK nové európske normy…