Thursday 29 March 2012

Why not more serious?

Yesterday I have mentioned that the EESC is soon expected to give four opinions related to consumer protection measures (Expecting opinions of the EESC). Today a press released was issued in which the EESC calls on the European institutions to take consumer rights more seriously (The EU should take consumer rights more seriously, says the EESC). After having voted on the newly drafted provisions on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and online dispute resolution (ODR), the EESC expressed its concern as to the setup and functionalities of the planned ODR platform. The criticism addressed the narrow scope of the platform, limits as to its practical usability, technical innovation and legal certainty. Moreover, the EESC believes that the European regulation should be more ambitious and broader in scope. They advocate for an ODR platform that would be available for all types of transactions, regardless of whether they are concluded online or offline, cross-border or inside one country only. Also the Consumer Programme 2014-2020 was criticised, since it does not provide for a sufficient budget to place consumers at the centre of EU policies.