Consumers - Related Opinions

As part of the Third "Europe on the Move" mobility package

A dynamic and competitive retail sector is important for consumers, businesses and hence the whole EU economy. A better performing retail sector will as a result generate spill-over effects on the entire economy. A well-funtioning Single Market and a modernised regulatory environment are indispensable for an EU retail sector fit for the 21^st century.

The present Communication proposes to build the necessary cooperation and infrastructure across the EU to promote health, prevent and control disease, help address patients' unmet needs and make it easier for citizens to have equal access to high quality care through the meaningful use of digital innovations. It will also strengthen the resilience and sustainability of Europe’s health and care systems. By helping to maximise the potential of the digital internal market with a wider deployment of digital products and services in health and care, the proposed actions also aim to stimulate growth and promote the European industry in the domain.

With this opinion the EESC welcomes the Commission's initiative to prioritise the fight against cybercrime, as it aims to protect Europeans and businesses from cybercrime networks, and includes measures to boost confidence in the use of electronic payment instruments. The EESC is of the view that the benefits of digitisation must be flanked by mechanisms able to meet the accompanying challenges, so that the European economy and Europeans can enjoy the information society to the full. For the EESC it is important to establish deterrents and mechanisms to inform the public about the modus operandi of offenders as well, through awareness-raising campaigns conducted by law enforcement authorities in the Member States.