Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the 'Commission on the Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999-2001'
Date: 1999-11-18
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: consumer information, consumer protection

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the ‘Commission on the
Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999-2001’

(2000/C 57/12)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Communication from the Commission on the Consumer Policy Action Plan
1999-2001 (COM(1998) 696 final);

having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 15 July 1998, under the fourth paragraph of
Article 198c of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up an opinion on the subject
and to direct Commission 5 (Social Policy, Public Health, Consumer Protection, Research and Tourism)
to undertake the preparatory work;

having regard to the Draft Opinion (CdR 181/99 rev. 2) adopted by Commission 5 on 6 September 1999
(rapporteur: Mr Jung, D, PPE);

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 31st plenary session of 17 and 18 November 1999
(meeting of 18 November).

1.

Introduction

1.1. Point of departure

1.1.1.
The globalisation of the markets and technological
developments are having an increasingly far-reaching and
sustained impact on services, products and marketing methods.
Consumers are offered an ever wider choice of an ever growing
range of new products. Increasingly too, these products are no
longer manufactured in the consumer’s own Member State, or
even in the European Union. Technical innovation and scienti-
fic progress are ushering in more and more complex and
modern production processes and inputs, the long-term effects
of which (on inter alia consumer health and safety) cannot, as
yet, be predicted beyond all doubt.

1.1.2.
This development means new tasks for consumer
policy, and will, as a result, have an impact on how that policy
is framed in the future. European consumers expect high
health and safety standards from products and services; such
expectations have been the benchmark for the future policy of
both Member States and the European Union, particularly in
terms of enforcement, risk assessment and legislative capacity.
With developments here changing rapidly, consumers are
required to have extensive knowledge and judgement skills,
which they have not, to date, always been able to acquire in
every field. As a result, the European Commission expects
governments in the Member States to come under increasing
pressure to act, and feels that what will be needed in future is
not only better cooperation and coordination in relation,
among other things, to regulation, but also more flexible and
more responsive approaches and more objective policymaking
involving independent scientific assessment. Furthermore, con-
sumers must have wider and better access to information.

1.1.3.
In the service sector too, markets — and with them
consumer expectations — are changing. For instance, an
increasing number of non-specialist consumers are seeking
complex financial services, such as privately run pension plans.
Unlike goods, however, services are tailored more to individual
consumer needs, making comparisons with other providers
difficult, and thus reducing competitive pressure. Future consu-
mer policy in this field will have to take account of the
increasing complexity of the supply side, including the legisla-
tion, which, to some extent, is already in place.

Over the past few years, liberalisation has wrought a
1.1.4.
lasting change in the provision of certain services which used
to be exclusively publicly run. These services were liberalised
mainly to benefit consumers through increased competition.
The European Commission notes that, in fact, supplementary
measures may be needed to achieve the successful outcome
desired.

The rapid spread of new information and communi-
1.1.5.
cation technologies, particularly the internet, is revolutionising
marketing and selling methods. Via the internet, consumers
can access a wide range of desired information and resources.
At the same time, risks may be involved, not least since the
legal framework for electronic commerce is not yet complete.
At European level, the need to move on this issue is opening
up a whole range of areas for action.

1.2. Background

1.2.1.
Under the Amsterdam Treaty, the newly drafted
Article 153 requires the Community to ensure a high level of

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consumer protection and to promote the interests of consu-
mers. Under this article, the Community must also contribute
both to protecting consumers’ health, safety and economic
interests and to promoting their right to information and
education and their right to organise themselves in order to
safeguard their interests.

The Maastricht Treaty was first to recognise a high
1.2.2.
level of consumer protection as an EU Treaty objective in its
own right. Under the Amsterdam Treaty, Article 153 confirms,
reinforces and develops this objective further. Another key
element in the ongoing development of consumer policy is
that, in future, consumer protection requirements are to be
taken into account when formulating and implementing other
Community policies and activities.

1.2.3.
The Committee of the Regions had also called for
such a reinforcement of consumer rights, and for confirmation
in the Amsterdam Treaty of consumer policy as a policy area
in its own right,
in its opinion of 13 June 1996 on the
communication from the Commission on priorities for consu-
mer policy 1996-1998 (1).

1.3. Purpose

In this opinion, the Committee of the Regions is seeking

— to make a further contribution to improving consumer
protection and consumer rights in the European Union;

— to support the European Commission in implementing its

Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999-2001;

— to make proposals on improving consumer protection;

— to highlight the responsibility borne by Member States
and local and regional authorities in making consumer
protection a reality in Europe;

— to promote active cooperation in consumer policy between
the European Commission, the Member States, regional
and local authorities, industry, consumer associations and
consumers themselves.

2. Content of the Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999-

2001

The European Commission’s Consumer Policy Action Plan
1999-2001 outlines a framework of tasks designed to give a
more powerful voice to consumers throughout the European
Union, to ensure a high level of health and safety and to
for the economic interests of EU
guarantee full respect
consumers. The European Commission’s aim in pursuing these
three priority objectives is to put consumer protection on
track for the next millennium.

(1) CdR 221/96 fin — OJ C 337, 11.11.1996, p. 49.

2.1. A more powerful voice for the consumer throughout the EU

2.1.1.
The European Commission proceeds from the as-
sumption that consumers bear a certain responsibility of their
own to look after and further their interests. However, ever
more complex scenarios and the steady growth of available
data — a result, not least, of developments in the information
society — mean that, to do this, consumers have to rely on
effective and objective support. This is particularly true of
certain sections of society.

2.1.2.
Efficient consumer associations are essential to effec-
tive consumer representation. Such associations need financial
and technical support in order to be able to inform, advise and
represent consumers effectively, appropriately and indepen-
dently. To this end, annex 1 of the European Commission
communication proposes training courses for consumer asso-
ciations as flanking measures to existing vocational training
schemes; further training is also proposed.

2.1.3.
The European Commission underscores the impor-
tance of dialogue as a means of ensuring that appropriate
account is taken of consumer interests relative to the interests
of other social players. This applies not only to dialogue
between consumers and business and between local, regional
and national authorities and the European Commission, but
also to dialogue between the European Commission and both
non-Community countries and international organisations.

To give consumers a more powerful voice,

2.1.4.
the
Commission is planning not only to step up consultation with
consumer associations within the European decision-making
process, but also and in particular to promote specific dialogue
between consumers and business to enable them, where
possible, to agree on self-regulation as a means of resolving
potential or existing conflicts. In order to take appropriate
account of consumer concerns, the European Commission’s
Consumer Committee is in future to be consulted on matters
relating to enforcement, training and European Union informa-
tion campaigns. The Commission is seeking to promote
consumer-business dialogue by providing resources to stage
(annual) grassroots-level sectoral dialogues between the two
sides.

2.1.5.
Dialogue between the European Commission and
consumers using the European single market is to be deepened
and widened by setting up additional Euroguichets, European
consumer information and advice offices; increasingly, Euro-
guichets are also to carry out public relations work in
cooperation with consumer associations. To improve the flow
of information for all concerned and for beneficiaries of these
facilities, the European Commission is planning to network its
offices and the Euroguichets.

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2.1.6.
The European Commission also feels that it is vital
to promote consumer education in the Member States. The
Union is to help in this field by working together with national,
regional and local authorities to promote exchanges of good
practice in integrating consumer education into the school
system. The Commission will thereby seek to focus on the
development of teaching materials, teacher training and the
interaction between schools and their local environments.

2.2.5.
In the field of food law, the action plan announces
the intention to publish a communication on areas of particular
relevance to consumers, namely food labelling, hygiene and
inspection, and to draft a proposal for a framework directive
on food law. Furthermore, plans are under way to simplify and
tighten up the veterinary hygiene directives and the food
hygiene directive. Changes to existing legislation are also aimed
at reinforcing auto-control by operators throughout the whole
food chain and at more intensive Commission auditing of
national controls.

2.2. A high level of health and safety for EU consumers

2.2.1.
sion’s priorities in this field will be as follows:

Over the next three years, the European Commis-

— science-based policymaking

— safer products

— safer services

— better enforcement, monitoring and response to emergen-

cies.

2.2.2.
The Commission action plan points out the increa-
sing risks to consumer health and safety as a result of more
complex products and services, and highlights the need for a
consistent and objective approach to policymaking, based on
independent scientific risk assessment.
In this regard, the
European Commission also feels that it is imperative to ensure
rapid identification and assessment of unforeseen hazards to
consumer health and safety, and a fast and appropriate
response.

2.2.3.
The European Commission is thus seeking to make
the work of the scientific committees stronger and more
efficient by, among other things, producing harmonised
guidelines on their procedures and methodologies. In this
connection, the Commission also plans to study the introduc-
tion of ‘peer reviews’ and the establishment of a cooperation
network between the scientific committees and relevant natio-
nal bodies. In addition, the Commission intends to examine
how far the dynamics of the overall risk management process
can be improved as part of a coherent approach to risk analysis.
The action plan also makes reference to the development of
guidelines on the extensive application of the precautionary
principle at European level.

2.2.4.
Hazards for consumers do not stop at the EU’s
external borders. The aim is therefore also to come to an
international consensus on risk analysis in the field of food and
product safety and on the introduction of the precautionary
principle.

2.2.6.
As well as announcing publication of a report on the
implementation of the directive on general product safety and
proposals for its revision, the action plan also promises, among
other things, to improve the child safety of products and
childcare articles through new or revised product standards.

2.2.7.
To improve consumer protection in the service
sector, proposals are to be put forward, where required, on
service safety and the liability of service providers.

The rapid alert system for hazardous consumer
2.2.8.
goods is to be improved and upgraded. In addition, a network
of experts to be called upon in emergencies is to be constituted.
With the help of the Food and Veterinary Office in Dublin, the
objective of safer foodstuffs is also to be reached by means of
a risk management system and by introducing controls over
the whole food production chain, including checks on the
control services. The Commission explicitly states that infringe-
ment proceedings may be pursued to ensure that Community
legislation is transposed and applied in the Member States.

2.3. Full respect for the economic interests of EU consumers

In this section, the European Commission points out
2.3.1.
the extensive regulatory framework already in place to promo-
te consumer interests. One job over the next few years will, in
its view, be to update this framework and fill remaining gaps.
The Commission also feels that efforts must be made to ensure
that existing legislation is effectively enforced. Hence, better
in the Commission’s view,
administrative cooperation is,
another priority objective. Moreover,
the Commission is
planning action to improve both enforcement and the transpo-
sition of existing legislation into national law. The Commission
also calls for a balance to be struck between regulatory and
non-regulatory approaches (the area of soft law).

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the different approaches

2.3.2.
As part of the review of existing directives, the
European Commission plans to submit proposals to bring
legislation into line with current credit
consumer credit
offering methods and practices. The Commission will also
examine
to combating over-
indebtedness and, if necessary, issue recommendations. Consi-
deration is also to be given to possible improvements in the
existing regulatory framework for insurance intermediaries in
order to make it easier to conclude cross-border contracts.
Moreover, the European Commission will examine whether
the recommendations set out in its communication ‘Boosting
customers’ confidence in electronic means of payment in the
single market’ have been properly implemented. If that is
found not to be the case, the Commission will propose a
directive in this area.

2.3.3.
The Commission’s work on the euro will focus on
monitoring the three existing recommendations in this field.
Legislation is being considered here on dual display of prices
and measures to promote consumers’ interests in the area of
electronic money.

2.3.4.
The European Commission also intends to make use
of the reporting requirements relating to existing legislation in
order to review that legislation thoroughly. The following
reports are to be submitted as part of the action programme:

By the end of 1999:

— report concerning the application of the directive on unfair

contract terms

— report on the feasibility of establishing effective means to

deal with consumers’ complaints

— report on the application of the directive on comparative

and misleading advertising.

By the end of 2001:

— report on the implementation of the directive on distance

selling

No given time frame:

2.3.5.
Other key tasks for the Commission under this
action programme include enforcement, and monitoring the
transposition of Community law. Enforcement implies facilita-
ting and improving administrative cooperation between Mem-
ber States, between Member States and the European Commis-
sion, and between Member States and consumer associations.
There is also to be better coordination of enforcement by
national agencies.

In the field of access to justice for consumers, the
2.3.6.
Commission’s top priority is the practical application of the
directive on injunctions. Backing is also to be given to
implementing the measures and recommendations set out in
the communication on out-of-court settlement. In addition,
the Commission plans to consider whether there is a need to
make it easier for consumers to take legal action collectively.

2.3.7.
Finally, the Commission will also take steps to better
integrate consumers’ economic interests into other EU policy
areas. In the first place, the Consumer Policy Action Plan
mentions services of general interest. Here, the aim is to secure
the right balance between the requisite market liberalization
and consumers’ desire for real choice in terms of affordability,
quality of service and the transparency of what is on offer. The
Commission also intends to bring consumer concerns more
forcefully to bear in matters relating to the information society.
The information society may have the potential to deliver
major benefits to consumers, but it also puts their interests at
risk, particularly as regards security of payment systems and
the apportionment of responsibility and liability.

3. General comments

3.1.
The Committee of the Regions is pleased to note that,
pursuant to the Amsterdam Treaty, the European Commission
has published a communication on the Consumer Policy
Action Plan 1999-2001. This communication sets out future
consumer policy measures and activities in the light of the
Amsterdam Treaty and indicates the sectors in which the
Commission intends to focus its efforts over the next three
years.

— report on the application of the directive on injunctions.

In addition to this review of current legislation, the Commis-
sion also announces proposals to fill the gaps in the existing
regulatory framework. These proposals are expected to address
the sale of ‘miracle products’, misleading health claims and
pyramid selling.

The Committee of the Regions feels that the high level
3.2.
of consumer protection in the European Union — enshrined
in Article 153 of the Amsterdam Treaty and an objective in its
own right — is a necessary supplement to the European single
market. In this respect too, the Committee expressly welcomes
publication of the European Commission’s Consumer Policy
Action Plan.

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3.3.
The Committee feels that this Commission action plan
covering the period 1999-2001 is a fundamental tool for the
further development of European-level consumer protection.
The Committee would however point out the general nature
of the action plan; in this respect, when it comes to implemen-
tation, it will be essential to flesh out the relevant measures
and, above all, to carefully examine the need for Union
legislation before any action is taken.

3.4.
The Committee of the Regions backs both the ap-
proach put forward by the European Commission to reinforce
consumer policy at European level and the priorities it sets
out: a stronger voice for EU consumers, high standards of
consumer health and safety and full respect for the economic
interests of consumers in the Union. The Committee would
stress, however, that under Article 153 of the Amsterdam
Treaty, the European Union is enjoined merely to ‘contribute’
to this objective.

3.5.
The Committee of the Regions would emphasise that
the Community’s consumer protection policy should not be
framed along defensive lines but, after careful consideration,
should address current areas of difficulty constructively and
supportively. It should particularly encourage European consu-
mers to play an active part in this process.

3.6.
The Committee of the Regions would however also
stress that Community consumer policy must be in accord
with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality pursuant
to Article 5 of the Amsterdam Treaty. The Committee urges
compliance with the subsidiarity principle particularly with
regard to the Commission’s intention to become more involved
in enforcement, and would point out that enforcement of EU
legislation is a matter for the Member States and, in some
cases, the regions.

3.7.
Consumers do have a certain responsibility to look
after their own interests; however, especially in such areas as
the establishment of a functioning market, the liberalisation of
services of public interest, health issues and when it comes to
analysing the vast amounts of new data available in particular
via new media, the Committee feels that consumers depend
on protection from the authorities and support from consumer
associations. As a sine qua non for the exercise of their rights,
EU citizens’ right to information, to organise themselves and
to education must be considered fundamental and must be
promoted. That said, the Committee of the Regions would also
point out that, as part of the process of economic and social
development within the European Union (e.g. the issue of
population ageing (1)), authorities and consumer organisations
increasingly come up against concerns from groups of people

(1) Cf. CdR 388/97 fin — OJ C 251, 10.8.1998, p. 36 — Opinion of
the Committee of the Regions on the demographic situation in
the European Union, 1997.

who are materially or personally handicapped in some way and
thus prevented from taking full responsibility for themselves as
consumers; this makes them particularly reliant on support.

The Committee of the Regions is pleased that the
3.8.
European Commission both highlights the value of proficient
and effective consumer associations and intends to promote
them. This is of key importance, not only for consumers, but
also for consumer policy at local, regional, national and
European level. Consumer associations must be in a position
to harness and assess the ever increasing volume of data in
order to be able (i) to provide effective advice to consumers
and, (ii) to properly represent consumer interests at a political
level within the decision-making process.

This is also a basis for meaningful dialogue between
3.9.
consumers and industry as equal partners. In this connection,
the Committee particularly welcomes the Commission’s plan
to promote regular sectoral dialogue aimed at framing self-
regulatory measures. Not only can such an approach, involving
as little legislative input as possible, help relieve the pressure
on legislative bodies, but it can above all help boost players’
sense of responsibility at local and regional level. The Commit-
tee of the Regions would stress, however, that this approach
must not be allowed to develop to the detriment of consumers
and that, in the final analysis, the option of legislation must be
retained in the interests of consumer protection.

The Committee of

3.10.
the Regions also particularly
welcomes the priority treatment given by the European
Commission to systematic consumer consultation, as well as
moves for more coordinated sectoral consultation and the
planned setting-up of a network of expertise on consumer
issues.

The Committee feels that this network, which, using modern
means of communication, could be relatively cheap to run,
should include not only the Euroguichets, but also the regional
and local authorities and existing consumer organisations. In
the interests of optimising the transparency that is fundamental
if people are to accept the European Union and have confiden-
ce in the single market, the Committee of the Regions also
endorses the proposal to systematically catalogue, summarise
and publish current European and national consumer law.

3.11.
The Committee particularly welcomes the European
Commission’s intention to take better account of consumers’
economic interests in other policy areas too. The Committee
feels that this will inevitably result in making other EU policies
even more consistent with consumer protection than they
have been to date.

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4. Specific comments

4.1.
The Committee of the Regions would stress that paying
greater attention to consumer interests can considerably boost
public support for the European Union. Popular disapproval is
most apparent in fields where expected EU action — on health
or in the foodstuffs sector, for example — fails to materialise
or is inadequate. European consumer policy is of key strategic
importance in bringing ordinary people closer to the European
Union.

4.2.
Children and young people have rapidly growing
access to modern means of communication. As a result, the
Committee of the Regions feels it is particularly important that
this section of society be educated on how to become open,
yet critical consumers who, above all, are aware of their own
responsibilities; this is also a task for schools. Furthermore,
young people today move much more naturally within the
single market than was the case even just a few years ago. It is
to include the European dimension of
thus also logical
consumer protection in education targets. For this reason, the
Committee of the Regions, while pointing out the need to
respect the subsidiarity principle, endorses the Commission’s
offer of help in this area.

4.3.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Commis-
sion’s future intention to adopt a science-based approach to
risk analysis and assessment when drafting measures and
decisions. The BSE affair, and the profound loss of European
consumer confidence as a result, highlighted all too clearly the
need for such an approach at European level. In future, any
food brought into circulation must be guaranteed safe, healthy
and fit for human consumption.

4.4.
It is essential, for guaranteed food safety, to ensure that
the entire food production chain — from manufacture to sale
to the final consumer — is thoroughly and effectively covered.
Member States and regional and local authorities are called
upon to optimise and, with European Commission support, to
better harmonise their control activities. In this connection,
the Commission is asked to draft and submit a framework
directive on overall food law as quickly as possible, establishing
the basic principles of Community food law and clearly
defining the responsibilities of the players concerned.

4.5.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Commis-
sion’s intention to submit a communication on follow-up
measures in those areas of particular relevance to consumers,
namely food labelling, hygiene and inspection. In this connec-
tion, the Commission is called upon to substantially extend

the food labelling obligation so that consumers are fully
informed about the contents, ingredients and origin of all
foodstuffs. This also applies in particular to foodstuffs which
contain or are produced from or with the aid of genetically
modified organisms. The Committee of the Regions would
point out that comprehensive food labelling is also required in
the interests of consumers who suffer from allergies. Full
details of contents and ingredients are essential to enable this
group of consumers to select foodstuffs without risk.

4.6.
The precautionary principle must also be a key conside-
ration for the European Commission, Member States and
regional and local authorities. The Committee of the Regions
calls on the European Commission to give this principle form
and substance so that it can be put into practice, and to draw
up clear, effective guidelines for its application.

4.7.
The Committee of the Regions would stress that the
uniform and proper application of Community law in the
Member States is essential both to the operation of the
European single market and to consumer confidence, and
must be monitored. Checks on the performance of the relevant
inspection services and authorities — including the use of
audit techniques — are deemed an appropriate means of
determining whether,
in the field of food monitoring, the
requisite control measures are being carried out effectively and
consistently across the entire single market. This helps ensure
the uniform application of Community law. The Committee
would, however, stress here that the remit for foodstuff control
lies — and must remain — with the Member States and
regional and local authorities.

4.8.
The Committee of the Regions backs the Commission’s
intention to mandate the European standard-setting organisa-
tions to draw up new product standards or to revise existing
ones, particularly in relation to child safety and childcare
products. However, appropriate provision should be made to
involve European consumers in the forthcoming standard-
setting procedures.

4.9.
The Committee welcomes the Commission’s plan to
improve and upgrade the rapid alert system for hazardous
consumer goods. In order to ensure that, particularly in the
food sector, the appropriate authorities in the Member States
are able to respond quickly and effectively, warnings must
focus on cases of acute health risk. These authorities must also
be given the requisite information on the distribution routes
of hazardous products so that they can take immediate,
targeted action. Communications of a more general nature
should be easily distinguishable from warnings.

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4.10.
The Committee of the Regions recognises that self-
regulatory commitments by industry or voluntary agreements
between consumer associations and industry are a welcome
supplement or alternative to legislation. However, such com-
mitments and agreements must be commensurate with the
aim of a high level of consumer protection. Moreover, proper
implementation and monitoring of these tools is vital if they
are to be effective.

4.11.
The Committee of the Regions expressly welcomes
the Commission’s intention to update current rules on consu-
mer credit, bringing them into line with current marketing
methods and conditions.

4.12.
European consumers are very keen to be able to
take part fully in the opportunities offered by electronic
communication and evolving e-commerce. This requires not
only considerable developments on the technical front, but also
further adjustments to the legal framework. The Committee of
the Regions specifically points out that the framework designed
to secure consumer protection in the information society can
only sensibly be laid down at European and world level.

4.13.
In the current debate on the draft directive on the
distance marketing of financial services, Member States broadly
agree that the starting point for the discussions should be the
arrangements set out in the general distance selling directive.
There is also agreement to reject full harmonisation under this
directive, given current levels of harmonisation in the field of
civil law. The Committee of the Regions backs the view that
setting minimum standards has priority here, since this allows
Member States to secure a higher level of protection.

4.14.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Euro-
pean Commission’s intention to examine whether there is a
given need to make it easier for consumers to take legal action
collectively. However, the Committee would point out the
fundamental reservations felt in some Member States against
any further expansion of the right to bring collective actions
since,
individual consumer rights are
in these countries,
assumed to be easily accessible to all.

5. Conclusions

the point of view of consumer protection, the Committee
would, in future, like to see more attention devoted to the high
levels of drugs, particularly antibiotics, used in animal feed and
thus in the production of foodstuffs of animal origin, as well
as to hygiene standards.

5.2.
The Committee of the Regions would call on the
Commission to be forceful in its representation of European
consumers’ health, safety and economic interests in the
relevant international bodies and in international trade rela-
tions.

5.3. Moreover, the Committee of the Regions would stress
the need to forge ahead with the approximation of European
consumer protection law on the basis of minimum standards.
Thus, in line with the Treaty, Member States retain the option,
where required, of going beyond the minimum level of
protection nationally, and also of taking appropriate account
of specific national factors in implementation.

The Committee of the Regions recognises that Euro-
5.4.
pean consumers are increasingly interested in information on
the origin and composition of products on the market. The
Commission is therefore called upon to substantially extend
the food labelling obligation in the interests of consumer
protection. Furthermore, the Committee would also like to see
legislation to facilitate the provision of data on products’
regional origin.

5.5.
Given increasing market globalisation, consumers must
be protected from violations on the part of international
operators. The Community should therefore also redouble its
efforts in those areas dealing with consumer protection on the
global markets.

The Committee of the Regions welcomes the fact
5.6.
that the European Commission considers stronger consumer
representation at European and international level as a policy
objective in its own right. The Committee therefore calls on
the Commission to give the necessary importance to consumer
protection within the enlargement process too and to support
the candidate countries in particular in framing national
consumer protection arrangements of their own. As part of
this process, the Committee feels it is essential to build up
lasting, transnational cooperation among regional consumer
protection organisations from both current and prospective
Member States.

European consumers will

5.1.
judge the EU’s consumer
policy above all by its ability to ensure that only unblemished,
healthy foodstuffs and safe products and goods are put into
the
circulation in the European Union. For this reason,
Committee of the Regions feels that this should be a key plank
of the work to be done over the next three years. Also from

5.7.
The Committee of the Regions backs moves to standar-
dise rights in the consumer protection directives. It makes
sense, for example, to harmonise the different withdrawal
rights and deadlines, to have standard definitions of consumers
and enterprises and to develop a standard form of words in
the international private law clause.

29.2.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 57/81

5.8.
The Committee of the Regions believes that, as the key
point of contact for ordinary consumers, it is more important
to upgrade and network existing consumer protection organi-
sations at national, regional and local level than to set up
further Euroguichets.

5.9.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the plan
to systematically catalogue, summarise and publish current

European, regional and national consumer law. It also proposes
including companies’ self-regulatory commitments in a data-
bank of this kind.

5.10.
The Committee would ask the European Commission
to keep it informed, at appropriate intervals, on the implemen-
tation of the action plan and on progress made.

Brussels, 18 November 1999.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Manfred DAMMEYER

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘Preparing for Implementation of the Kyoto
Protocol’

(2000/C 57/13)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament
on ‘Preparing for Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol’, COM(1999) 230 final, 19 May 1999;

having regard to the decision taken by the Commission on 28 May 1999, under the first paragraph of
Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee of the Regions
on the matter;

having regard to the decision by the Bureau on 2 June 1999 which directs Commission 4 — Spatial
Planning, Urban Issues, Energy and Environment — to draw up the relevant opinion;

having regard to the Kyoto Protocol on reducing greenhouse gas emissions adopted in December 1997
at the 3rd Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3 —
1/10 December 1997);

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament
on Strengthening environmental integration within Community energy policy, COM(1998) 571 final;

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Climate change and energy,
18 September 1997, CdR 104/97 fin (1);

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Commission White Paper: ‘Energy
for the future: renewable sources of energy’, 16 July 1998, CdR 57/98 (2);

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the
Commission on Environment and Employment: building a sustainable Europe, 19 November 1998, CdR
75/98 fin (3);

(1) OJ C 379, 15.12.1997, p. 11.
(2) OJ C 315, 13.10.1998, p. 5.
(3) OJ C 51, 22.2.1999, p. 41.