Commission communication concerning Article 4(3) of Directive 98/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests, concerning the entities qualified to bring an action under Article 2 of this Directive

(2001/C 222/07)

The authorities of the Member States concerned have recognised the entities mentioned below as being qualified to bring actions for an injunction under Article 2 of Directive 98/27/EC:

GERMANY:

1. Aktion Bildungsinformation e. V. (ABI)

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

2. Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Verbraucherverbände (AgV) e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

3. Bund der Energieverbraucher e. V.

Protection of the interests of energy users through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of energy users.

4. Bund der Versicherten e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

5. Deutscher Mieterbund - Mieterverein Kassel und Umgebung e. V.

Protection of the interests of tenants in Kassel and the surrounding area through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of tenants.

6. Deutscher Mieterbund - Mieterverein Siegerland und Umgebung e. V.

Protection of the interests of tenants in Siegerland and the surrounding area through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of tenants.

7. Deutscher Mieterbund - Mieterverein Wiesbaden und Umgebung e. V.

Protection of the interests of tenants in Wiesbaden and the surrounding area through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of tenants.

8. Deutsche Schutzvereinigung Auslandsimmobilien e. V.

Protection of the interests of private owners of houses, flats and land abroad and of other people with interests in real estate abroad, through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of these people.

9. Mieter helfen Mietern, Münchner Mieterverein e. V.

Protection of the interests of tenants in Munich through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of tenants.

10. Mieterverein München e. V.

Protection of the interests of tenants in Munich through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of tenants.

11. DMB - Mieterverein Stuttgart und Umgebung e. V.

Protection of the interests of tenants in Stuttgart and the surrounding area through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of tenants.

12. Schutzverband für Verbraucher und Dienstleistungsnehmer - Endverbraucher, Kapitalanleger, Versicherte - e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers and users of services through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers and users of services.

13. Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

14. Verbraucherschutzverein e. V. (VSV)

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

15. Verbraucherzentrale Berlin e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

16. Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

17. Verbraucherzentrale des Landes Bremen e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

18. Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

19. Verbraucherzentrale Hessen e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

20. Verbraucherzentrale Niedersachsen e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

21. Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Verbraucherverbände e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

22. Verbraucherzentrale Rheinland-Pfalz e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

23. Verbraucherzentrale des Saarlandes Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Verbraucherverbände e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

24. Verbraucherzentrale Sachsen e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

25. Verbraucherzentrale Sachsen-Anhalt e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

26. Verbraucherzentrale Thüringen e. V.

Protection of the interests of consumers through education and the provision of advice; authorised to bring collective actions in the interests of consumers.

AUSTRIA:

1. Wirtschaftskammer Österreich

Representation and promotion of the common interests of its members and of industry and trade and individual members (§ 1 of the Wirtschaftskammergesetz (/Chamber of Commerce Act)). Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

2. Bundesarbeitskammer

Representation and promotion of the social, economic, occupational and cultural interests of workers; contributing to improving the economic and social situation of workers and their families, implementation of measures in matters pertaining to education, culture, environmental protection, consumer protection, the organisation of leisure time, the protection and promotion of health and living conditions, the promotion of full employment; involvement in the establishment of prices and competition rules; provision of advice and legal protection in matters pertaining to labour law and social law, including representation. Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

3. Präsidentenkonferenz der Landwirtschaftskammern Österreichs

Promotion of the national economic role of agriculture and forestry and representation of their common interests. Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

4. Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund

Representation of the social, economic and cultural interests of all gainfully employed people other than the self-employed (manual workers, white-collar workers, public servants, including apprentices or persons in a similar situation), the unemployed, even if they have not yet had the opportunity to be gainfully employed (other than in self-employment), young pupils and trainees who intend to go into gainful employment (other than self-employment) and other occupational groups (such as freelancers or people working in private practice), provided that they can be compared, in terms of their activity, to people who are gainfully employed other than in self-employment. Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

5. Verein für Konsumenteninformation

Advising and informing consumers about, and protecting them from, misleading and unfair advertising and sales methods, and in legal matters pertaining to the purchase of goods and services. Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

6. Österreichischer Landarbeiterkammertag

Promotion of cooperation between chambers of agricultural workers, provision of advice and handling of common matters that fall within the sphere of responsibility of the chambers of agricultural workers (employees' sections). Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

7. Österreichischer Seniorenrat (Bundesaltenrat Österreichs)

Ensuring that all economic, social and cultural facilities are accessible to the older generation in keeping with its needs, and involvement in solving problems of social, old-age and health policy, support for the provision of advice, information and care to the elderly. Protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, §2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

8. Schutzverband gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb

Combating of unfair competition, especially trade libel in economic life, protection of the collective interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28a(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

FINLAND:

1. Kuluttaja-asiamies

(the consumer ombudsman) is responsible for:

- general supervision of consumer protection in connection with marketing and conditions of contract,

- supervision of radio and television advertising to check compliance with the regulations governing ethical principles in advertising and teleshopping and the protection of minors, and to pinpoint cases where television and radio broadcasts include marketing which is unfair or misleading to the consumer.

2. Kuluttajat-Konsumenterna ry

(registered consumer organisation) monitors the effectiveness and progress of consumer protection.

3. Suomen Kuluttajaliitto

(Finnish Consumers' Association) monitors consumers' interests through independent civil action in the community and in relation to the market.

4. Kuluttajavirasto

(National Consumer Administration of Finland) supervises the provision of security in connection with package travel.

5. Rahoitustarkastus

(Financial Inspection Authority) supervises consumer credit marketing and conditions of contract, with the consumer ombudsman.

6. Lääkelaitos

(National Agency for Medicines) supervises medicine advertising.

7. Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon tuotevalvontakeskus

(National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health) supervises tobacco and alcohol advertising.

8. Telehallintokeskus

(Telecommunications Administration Centre) supervises television and radio advertising, excluding:

- regulations governing ethical principles in advertising and teleshopping and the protection of minors,

- alcohol and tobacco advertising.