Consumer programme 2014-2020

EESC opinion: Consumer programme 2014-2020

Key points:

The Committee:

  • notes the Commission's willingness to place consumer at the centre of EU policies, but considers that insufficient means have been made available for achieving this goal;
  • notes the intention to set up monitoring benchmarks which are all the more necessary given a long period covered by the programme;
  • stresses the need to raise safety standards for products marketed and services provided within the EU;
  • backs the measures aimed at improving consumer information and education programmes and capitalising on best practices;
  • recommends a significant increase in the financial resources for consumer organisations, and calls on the Member States to recognise, support and finance national consumer organisations;
  • supports the various initiatives proposed for extending alternative dispute resolution arrangements, noting, however, that the reference to collective redress is still missing.

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