MEPs Corner

“A New Deal for Consumers has a potential to reinforce consumer rights and at the same time contribute to a fairer Single Market. Although there is a quite robust legal framework that in general enables consumers to make informed choice and protects them, at least on paper, from different kind of unfair practices, what is still lacking is better enforcement and possibility to get compensation once something goes wrong. Proposals for both individual and collective instruments that will enable consumers effectively and in justified cases to seek a redress are win-win situation for both consumers and businesses. Indeed, the proposal is an opportunity for compliant traders as well. It is not intended to increase administrative burden, on the contrary, it can get rough traders out of the market by penalizing illegal behavior. Last, but not least, I am particularly interested to work on legal provision that aims to tackle a dual quality of products at European level by amending the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. I would like to invite the industry concerned to cooperate in a constructive way on finding solution that will avoid misleading of consumers while preserving their choice. A common responsibility we share in this regard cannot be jeopardized by unjustified excuses anymore as consumers’ trust is at stake.”

Olga Sehnalová,

Member of the European Parliament (S&D)