Report from the Commission on the "Action Plan for Consumer Policy 1999-2001" and on the "General Framework for Community activities in favour of consumers 1999-2003"
Date: 2001-08-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: action programme, consumer information, consumer protection, consumption, product safety, public health

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 23.8.2001
COM(2001) 486 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION

On the "Action Plan for Consumer Policy 1999-2001" and on
the "General Framework for Community activities in favour of consumers 1999-2003"

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION

On the "Action Plan for Consumer Policy 1999-2001" and on
the "General Framework for Community activities in favour of consumers 1999-2003"

1.

INTRODUCTION

Having passed the halfway point of the current Action Plan, it is time to take stock of progress
achieved so far. This Interim Report provides an overview of the state of implementation
within each of the broad policy domains identified in the Action Plan. However, this overview
is preceded by a section that recalls the various factors that either have had a discernible
influence on the implementation of the Action Plan or that should be taken into account when
considering what adjustments are required for the remaining period of the Action Plan.

In parallel, and in accordance with Article 13 of Decision 283/1999/EC of the European
Parliament and the Council,
in particular Annexes 1 and 2, covers the
in both 1999 and 2000, of the General Framework for Community
implementation,
activities in favour of consumers under the three policy objectives as laid down in the
Consumer Policy Action Plan.

this report,

€

€

The financial framework for the implementation of the consumer policy's legal base for the
period 1999-2003 was set at
112.5 million. The total commitment appropriations for the
22.350 million and for the year 20001) to
year 1999 amounted to
22.905 million. In 1999,
100% of the commitment appropriations and 98% of the payment appropriations were
utilised.
In 2000, 90% of the commitment appropriations and 75% of the payment
appropriations were utilised. Annex 1 shows in detail which activities were financed under
each policy objective in 1999 and 2000. Annex 2 shows the amounts allocated as financial
support to European consumer organisations and individual projects with the assistance of the
Advisory Committee of representatives of the Member States in 1999 and 2000.

€

During the period covered by this report, there have been a number of organisational changes
affecting the Services responsible for the area of consumer policy. These changes would
render a year-on-year comparison meaningless but in April 2001, the number of staff in the
Directorate responsible for the development of consumer policy totalled 67.2)

2.

CONSUMER POLICY IN A CHANGING WORLD

"The next three years will see consumer policy coming of age as consumer interests, together
with other issues that directly affect ordinary citizens, become increasingly important". The
truth of this opening sentence of the "Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999-2001" has been
confirmed by several events during the last two years, affecting, in particular, consumers'
health and safety. These developments have, nevertheless, been served to bring consumer
issues to the fore. There has been a belated realisation, at both EC and national level, that

1)

2)

405,000 from
The amount available in the year2000 includes the annual contribution of 1.8 %, or
EFTA/EEA states (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) which participate in the activities under
Decision 283/1999/EC.
This total comprised 36 staff in category "A", 12 in category "B" and 19 in category "C".

€

2

consumer policy is not a luxury but rather an essential element of overall EU policy
development.

Within the EC institutions, consumer policy has achieved a much higher profile and this has
been reflected in the Council Resolution of 28 June 1999 on "Community Policy 1999 to
2001"3), and in the Opinions of the European Parliament4), the Committee of the Regions5)
and the Economic and Social Committee6). The Commission has taken into account the points
expressed in these Opinions when implementing the Action Plan.

The Commission's Services have been re-structured to ensure a more effective and co-
ordinated approach to consumer interests. Moreover, the integration of a consumer dimension
into other EC policies is becoming a more frequent and normal occurrence.

A significant element of the re-structuring within the Commission was the concentration of
health and consumer protection issues within a single Directorate-General, under
the
responsibility of a single Commissioner. The most important aspect of this change has been to
make the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection responsible for food safety
along the entire food chain, from "the plough to the plate".

This organisational change was followed very rapidly by the Commission adopting, on 12
January 2000, the White Paper on Food Safety7). The White Paper aims to achieve the highest
standard of food safety and sets out a radical reform plan. It contains proposals for a major
programme of legislative reform including the establishment of a new European Food
Authority. This radically revised policy supersedes the parts of the Action Plan 1999-2001
that concerned food safety and,
the
implementation of those items nor the work of the Food and Veterinary Office.8)

this Interim Report will not cover

therefore,

These adjustments provide a clear indication of the need to retain a flexible approach to the
implementation of the Action Plan.

3.

3.1

PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN

POLICY OBJECTIVE: "A more powerful voice for the consumer throughout the
EU"

One of the principal characteristics that distinguishes consumers, as participants in a modern
market economy, from businesses, is their relative fragmentation. This fragmentation finds its
source in two factors: the very wide range of markets in which consumers have to operate to
satisfy their needs, and their apparent reluctance to view collective action as a normal means
of increasing, or exerting, their market influence.

At the EC level, this has led to widespread recognition that measures are needed to strengthen
the consumer's position in the market and that promoting "A more powerful voice for the
consumer throughout the EU" could make a significant contribution to this end. This

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

Official Journal N° C 206 of 21.7.99.
Official Journal N° C 279 of 1.10.99.
CdR 181/99 fin.
Official Journal N° C 209 of 22.7.99.
"White Paper On Food Safety" : COM (1999) 719 final (12 January 2000)
See Food And Veterinary Office (Fvo) Annual Report 1999
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/policy_papers/vi_pol07_en.pdf )

3

objective emphasises the need both to increase consumer awareness of the importance of their
market role and to improve methods of communicating consumer needs to businesses and
policy-makers. Action to strengthen the consumer's position as a market participant can be
undertaken by various stakeholders, not least by consumers themselves either individually or
in associations.

In terms of budget implementation, the bulk of the appropriations, or some
1999 and 10 million in 2000, were utilised to pursue this policy objective.

• ACTION AREA: Improving the effectiveness of consumer associations

€

12.5 million in

In consumer affairs, as in many other fields of human activity, collective action can often be
more effective than an individual acting alone. Consumer associations can strengthen the
consumer's market position by pooling information, lowering the cost of access to expert
advice, as well as by providing a more solid basis for dialogue with businesses and for
political action.

The Commission has continued to support consumers' associations in two ways:

• by providing financial support, and

• by providing logistical support for international meetings.

In terms of providing financial support to consumer organisations in Europe, the Commission
has followed the requirements laid down in the "Decision establishing a general framework
for Community activities in favour of consumers".9) Calls have been published for
applications for financial support from the budgets for 1999, 2000 and 2001.

In order to improve the overall impact of this type of funding, the Commission has generally
sought to concentrate the limited amounts of available finance on fewer projects, whilst, at the
same time, encouraging consumer organisations to join forces on projects of joint interest. In
response to the Commission's call for projects, there has been a gradual decline in the number
of proposals submitted since 1998: 378 proposals in 1998, 210 in 1999 and 178 in 2000. This
has been due largely to a better definition of the actions to be financed in the calls for projects.
Another reason may be the requirement under the legal base for consumer organisations to
contribute a minimum of 50% to total project expenditure as a general rule. This new rule has
been applied systematically with few exceptions.

to European consumer
Annex 2 shows the amounts allocated as financial support
organisations and individual projects in 1999 and 2000. Decisions on allocations are made
with the assistance of the Advisory Committee for Community Activities in Favour of
Consumers composed of representatives of Member States. The first meeting of this
Committee was held on 18 March 1999. The Committee's rules of procedure and working
practices are now well established. Five meetings have been held since March 1999 and there
are regular contacts through the e-mail network, which has facilitated co-operation and the
transmission of information.

9)

Decision N° 283/1999/EC

4

The Advisory Committee has delivered opinions on the Commission's draft measures relating
to the criteria for selection of organisations and projects under Articles 2 b) and c) as well as
in selecting the beneficiaries on the basis of the Commission's proposal. In accordance with
the legal base, the Commission has provided the Advisory Committee with information on
activities to be financed as well as on the results of expenditure decisions.

the deadline for applications for

In 1999,
to European consumer
organisations as well as for individual projects was 30 November 1998. Although Decision
the conditions and criteria for
283/1999/EC only entered into force in February 1999,
financing had already been anticipated in the call for proposals. The financial support granted
to cover the running costs of four European consumer organisations amounted to
1.42
million in 1999.

financial support

€

the deadline for applications for

In 2000,
to European consumer
organisations as well as for individual projects was 15 October 1999. The financial support
granted to cover the running costs of European consumer organisations totalled some
1.6
million in 2000. In addition to BEUC, ANEC, Euro Coop and Coface, a new organisation, the
European Consumers' Association (AEC), which was founded in the spring of 2000, was also
granted funding to cover part of its running costs.

financial support

€

The Commission has also examined requests from European consumer organisations for
financial assistance for the year 2001. The Commission has decided to discontinue financial
support for Euro Coop and Coface.

In order to provide a sound basis for judging the effectiveness of the financial support for
European consumer organisations in recent years, an external evaluation has been
commissioned and a report should be available in October 2001.

Support to consumer organisations by the Commission has also included organising meetings
at the EC level, either on an ad hoc basis or as part of a continuous process. The presence of
the Annual Assembly of Consumer
both President Prodi and Commissioner Byrne at
Organisations in November 2000 was a visible sign of the higher importance given by the
Commission to the consumer dimension of EU policies.

The year 2000 also saw the inaugural meeting of a re-organised Consumer Committee10).
The new Consumer Committee consists of 20 full members and 20 alternates appointed by the
Commission for a 3-year renewable mandate (1 per Member State plus 5 representatives from
the European consumer associations: AEC, ANEC, BEUC, COFACE, EURO-COOP). It is
designed to have a more pro-active role than its predecessor in fulfilling its advisory function
vis-à-vis the Commission.

The need for consumer interests to be taken into account in policy-making does not stop at the
external border of the European Community. The Commission has taken several steps to
achieve better consumer representation at international level.

10)

Commission Decision of 4 May 2000 setting up a Consumer Committee (2000/323/EC)

5

In particular, the Commission supports the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) by
providing financial support and co-ordination. This important forum of US and EU consumer
organisations aims to promote the consumer interest in EU and US policy making. The
recommendations produced by the TACD working groups are related to world-wide consumer
concerns such as food, electronic commerce and other trade and trade/health related issues.
They are addressed to the EU governments, the European Commission and the US authorities
and aim at increasing the involvement of civil society in transatlantic policy-making. The
TACD endeavours to feed into the Trans-Atlantic Economic Partnership process by
monitoring closely the agenda of the various TEP committees and responds on the issues
which concern consumers directly. Other policy-making processes, such as those at the
OECD or WTO, are also closely followed. The TACD was invited to attend the US-EU
Summit in Washington DC on 18 December 2000, where participants had the opportunity to
discuss with the Summit leaders relevant issues of the US-EU political agenda that affect
consumers. The Commission has also had contacts with Australia and Japan with a view to
developing bilateral co-operation on consumer affairs.

• ACTION AREA: Serving EU consumers better via the Euroguichets

Following an evaluation of the operation of the network since its inception in 1991, the
Commission decided to redefine the mission of the consumer Euroguichets by extending
their
responsibilities to include not only issues arising from cross-border consumer
transactions but also a more general objective of informing consumers about those rights in
their everyday life that stem from European legislation. The network will be further enhanced
to the extent that eight Member States have already decided or are considering using the
Euroguichet as their clearing house for the EEJ network.

As a consequence, some of the centres that were formerly established near a land border have
moved to the capital or to another central area from where a whole Member State can be well
served. Currently, there are 11 centres in operation in 9 Member States11). The Commission's
target is to establish at least one centre per country before the end of the current Action Plan
2 million in both
(end-2001). The financial support provided to the Euroguichets was almost
1999 and 2000.

€

These adjustments provide a clear illustration of the difficulties that can arise when actions
are launched on an ad hoc basis without consideration of strategic implications, including the
potential synergy with other actions.

• ACTION AREA: Effective dialogue between consumers and business

Given the emphasis being placed on competitive markets as an important instrument for
promoting consumer welfare, attention is increasingly turning to the relationship between
consumers and business and to how this might be improved to their mutual benefit. From a
policy point of view,
to which
consumer/business dialogue can lead to agreed solutions that would either lessen the need
for legislation, complement legislation or add value to legislation.

the Commission is particularly interested in the extent

11)

Ireland, UK, France, Portugal, Spain (2), Luxembourg, Germany (2), Finland and Austria

6

Against this background, the Commission launched a study of "soft law", to analyse how far
best practice at the national level can be applied and enhanced at European level. However,
the Commission did not wait for the study to be completed before exploring the possibilities
of consumer/business dialogue to help in practical situations.

A dialogue took place between consumer representatives and the banking sector concerning
mortgage credit to discuss a code concerning pre-contractual information on loans for the
purchase of residential accommodation. After several rounds of discussions, agreement on the
contents of such a code was reached in November 2000. After a period of ratification by the
competent bodies of the negotiating parties, this agreement was signed on 5 March 2001. On
1 March 2001 the Commission adopted a Recommendation endorsing the Code and inviting
the mortgage credit industry to comply with its provisions.12)

A second area in which dialogue has played an important role is electronic commerce. From
discussions with interested parties, it became clear that action was needed to clarify the
situation concerning codes of practice and associated "trustmark" schemes as a means of
enhancing consumer confidence in e-commerce. A proliferation of competing codes and
trustmarks could confuse consumers and thus undermine, rather than reinforce, confidence.
Similarly, businesses could have difficulty in deciding which code to join. Therefore, the
Commission initiated discussions with a representative group from both consumer
organisations and businesses on the feasibility of developing a clear and sound framework for
accreditation (at EU level) and verification (probably at national level). Work is already well-
advanced on establishing a set of principles as a benchmark against which to measure all
generic codes. Whenever such codes or similar schemes are concluded between enterprises,
they should, of course, comply with competition rules.

• ACTION AREA: New approach to information campaigns

Food safety is of growing concern to all consumers. A Eurobarometer survey, conducted in
1997, found that close to 68 percent of European citizens were concerned about the safety of
foodstuffs and demanded better information on this matter. In addition to feeling threatened,
many consumers feel betrayed and consider that the intensive production methods initially
developed with the objective of giving everybody enough to eat have been pushed beyond any
reasonable limit.

In an effort to restore consumer confidence, the Commission has launched information and
education campaigns. For the information campaign covering the years 1998-1999, the
contractors were encouraged to concentrate on the topics of food labelling (particularly E-
numbers and other safety elements), the traceability of foodstuffs and genetically-modified
organisms. As food safety remained the prime focus of public concern, the Commission built
on the success of the previous campaign by launching a "Food Safety Education Campaign"
(2000-2001). Although the theme (food safety) remained the same, the chosen contractors
were required to develop educational (rather than informational) materials and to define their
target groups more precisely.

12)

Commission Recommendation on pre-contractual information to be given to consumers by lenders
offering home loans, C(2001) 477 final

7

The aims of the campaign include:

• To educate clearly defined target groups of consumers in the general principles and simple

practicalities of food safety;

• To promote the role that consumer organisations can play by providing advice on food

safety;

• To initiate an ongoing dialogue on food safety among interested parties: consumer

organisations, national authorities and professional bodies;

• To stimulate media interest in food safety.

In addition to these information campaigns, consumers can also obtain information about their
rights in the Internal Market through the "Dialogue with Citizens and Business" initiative.
Under this action, the Commission launched in 2000, a guide entitled "Enforcing your rights
in the single European market" that included a section on "seeking redress as consumers".
Also, the guide on "Buying goods and services in the single European market" is being
updated.

• ACTION AREA: Closer co-operation with Member-States on consumer education

In recent years, particularly in the context of the developing Single Market, the need for
the
consumer education has become increasingly evident at European level. Under
Amsterdam Treaty, which entered into force in 1999, Community competence in the field of
consumer education and training was affirmed. Against this background, the Commission has
given priority to stimulating the exchange of experience and good practice between
Member States. This action has involved two types of organisation: public authorities, and
consumer organisations.

As far as relations with public authorities are concerned, a meeting of the "Working Group
of National Experts on consumer education" was held on 15 September 2000. This will
become the principal forum for the exchange of information and experience with Member
States. The Commission's work with consumer organisations had the overall objective of
encouraging co-operation between two complementary networks, one covering northern
Member States and the other largely covering southern countries. More specifically, the
Commission disseminated the information and experience gained from three pilot-projects
(covering Greece, Portugal and Spain) designed to integrate consumer education into the
normal school curriculum. The Commission has also provided financial support for the
establishment of a European School for Consumers in Cantabria, Spain, and for a project in
the United Kingdom, designed to provide training in financial affairs for young adults.

In addition to the above developments, the Commission has maintained its support for the
"The Young Consumer Competition", which attracts a growing number of young people.
The number of participating teams in the 1999-2000 competition, for which the theme was
"The Consumer in the 21st century", exceeded 1,200, setting a new record13). In line with the
intense public interest
in the safety and quality of food, the 2000-2001 edition of the
competition has "Nutrition - How to promote a balanced diet" as its theme.

13)

Since the competition began, the number of entries has been 222 (1993/94), 505 (1994/95), 551
(1995/96), 613 (1996/97), 1160 (1998/99) and 1213 (1999/00). A competition was not held in 1997/98.

8

3.2

POLICY OBJECTIVE : "A high level of health and safety for EU consumers"

• ACTION AREA: Science-based policy making

The Commission considers that obtaining high quality scientific advice, whenever
appropriate for the development of policy concerning consumer protection in general and
consumer health in particular, is of the utmost importance. In line with this principle, the
entire system of scientific advice was reformed in June-October 1997 to reflect the principles
independence and transparency. There now exists a Scientific Steering
of excellence,
Committee and eight new Scientific Committees.14) Five of these Scientific Committees are
devoted to food safety and the remaining three are:

• Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for

Consumers;

• Scientific Committee on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices; and

• Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment

Notwithstanding the relatively recent changes in the structure of the Scientific Committees,
the European Parliament asked the Commission to launch a review of the working methods
of the scientific committees. In response, the Commission mandated three eminent Professors,
members of the Scientific Committees of the European Commission, to reflect on the current
system for the provision of scientific advice to the Commission, in the light of operations
within the new structure. In order to facilitate their mission, a public hearing was organised on
4 and 5 November 1999. The Report was finalised in December 199915).

The Commission launched, in 2000, the process to renew the mandate of the Scientific
Steering Committee (SSC) and of the eight specialised scientific committees. From a list of
483 candidates who responded to an open call for expression of interest, a total of 151
independent scientists were appointed members of the Scientific Committees.

The new members are in principle appointed for a three-year period, but their mandate may be
adjusted in the light of the progress made in setting up the European Food Authority. The
responsibility for scientific advice in the area of food safety is to be transferred to the
Authority as soon as it becomes operational.

Spending under this policy objective amounted to
2000.

€

4.8 million in 1999 and

€

4.6 million in

14)

15)

Commission Decision N° 97/404/EC of 10 June 1997 (Official Journal N° L 169 of 27.06.97) and
Commission Decision N° 97/579/EC of 23 July 1997 (Official Journal N° L 237 of 28.8.97).
The Report is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/future_food_en.html)

9

ACTION AREA: Safer products and services (other than food)

The ultimate aim of this aspect of EU consumer policy is that only safe products and
services are placed on the market. This policy objective is designed to serve a dual purpose
of both ensuring a high and consistent level of protection for consumer health and safety
throughout Europe, as well as the proper functioning of the Internal Market.

Much of the work in this domain concerns legislation or other actions having a direct impact
on market behaviour, such as standardisation or voluntary codes. During the period covered
by this report, the following actions of particular significance have been completed or are in
progress:

• In March 2000, the Commission presented a proposal16) to recast the existing Directive on
General Product Safety. The aim is to ensure that only safe products are placed on the
market by introducing more stringent obligations on producers and distributors, better
definition of product safety criteria, more effective market surveillance, more systematic
collaboration between enforcement authorities of Member States, more effective
emergency measures at Community level and easier access for consumers to information
on product risks.

• The Commission adopted a Decision17) concerning measures prohibiting the placing on the
market of toys or childcare articles made of soft PVC containing certain phthalates that are
intended to be placed in the mouth of a child under 3 years of age. This Decision was
prolonged four times in 2000. A Commission proposal was adopted in November 200018)
to amend the Directive concerning limits on the marketing and use of certain dangerous
substances and preparations19) and the Council Directive concerning the safety of toys20),
and this proposal is currently being discussed in the European Parliament and in the
Council.

• Preparatory work and consultations are underway to develop a Communication on the need

for a possible initiative in the field of the safety of services provided to consumers.

• The Commission presented an amended proposal for a Council Directive on safety
requirements and the attestation of professional competence for cabin crews in civil
aviation21).

• The Commission completed the assessment of the application of Council Recommendation
86/666/CEE on fire safety in existing hotels22), with a view to updating and reinforcing the
requirements therein established.

Regulatory action needs the support of other types of action, such as monitoring, data
collection and awareness raising. The implementation of such accompanying actions has
included, notably,

16)

17)

18)

19)

20)

21)

22)

Official Journal N° C 337E of 28.11.00.
Decision 1999/815/EC (Official Journal N° L 315 of 9.12.99).
Official Journal N° C 116E of 26.4.00.
76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976
Directive 88/378/EEC of 3 May 1988
COM (1999) 68 final
Official Journal N° L 384 of 31.12.86

10

• A study on the implementation of the General Product Safety Directive which was used as
the basis for a report by the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council23) and
for the Commission's proposal to recast the Directive on general product safety24).

• The improvement and upgrading of the "Rapid Alert Systems", based on the results of
visits and discussions in Member States: expertise for the technical assessment of products
notified in the system and for the technical development of an Internet-based system has
been procured;

• Issuing mandates requesting the appropriate standardisation body to develop new or
to childcare articles, fairground

improved safety standards relating, amongst others,
equipment and cigarette lighters.

3.3.

POLICY OBJECTIVE : Full respect for the economic interests of EU consumers

The Internal Market has a significant part to play in improving the quality of life of EU
citizens, for example, by stimulating competitive prices, enhancing the quality of service and
offering wider choice. Consumers should be seen as being an integral part of this market.
Ensuring consumers are confident in shopping across borders is as important for making
the Internal Market work as is making it easier for businesses to sell across borders. This
requires that the Commission must ensure that barriers to cross-border demand are removed in
order that the consumer dimension can develop in parallel with the business dimension of the
Internal Market.

However, an adequate level of confidence will only be achieved if the consumer's economic
interests are fully respected. Notwithstanding the emphasis frequently given to improving
market efficiency as an instrument for safeguarding consumer welfare, legislation still has a
major role to play in protecting consumers' economic interests. However, this legislation will
only be fully effective if the relevant authorities provide proper monitoring and enforcement.

Expenditure under this policy objective has risen by slightly more than
to 2000, and totals some
introduction of the Euro.

1 million from 1999
5.6 million. This reflects the increase in actions relating to the

€

€

• ACTION AREA: Developing a consumer-friendly internal market in financial services

The development of the financial services sector over recent years has been characterised by
its growing importance in the overall economy, a widening choice and growing complexity of
the services on offer, the rapid growth of electronically-mediated services and the growth of
cross-border transactions. This situation is further complicated by major differences between
Member States relating to social, cultural, legal and institutional factors.

Such a background both provides a clear justification for a policy on financial services at
the EC level and illustrates the difficulty of developing such a policy. In order to meet this
challenge, the Commission adopted in 1997 a Communication on Financial Services25) setting
out actions that were incorporated into the Consumer Policy Action Plan.

23)

24)

25)

Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council of 29 March 2000 on the experience
acquired in the application of Directive 92/59/EEC on general product safety [COM(2000)140 final].
COM(2000)139 final of 29.3.2000
COM (97) 309

11

The proposal for a Directive concerning the distance marketing of consumer financial
services26) was approved by the Commission on 19 November 1998 and submitted to the
European Parliament and the Council. In response to discussions with the Council, work was
undertaken to compile an inventory of national prior information requirements. This inventory
was completed by mid-July 2000. Although the Lisbon European Council of March 2000
urged the Council to reach a common position before the end of the year 2000, negotiations
are still continuing.

The first EC legislation in this area was the Directive27) for the approximation of the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning consumer credit.
This was subsequently amended in 1990 and in 1998. Nevertheless,
the rapid rate of
innovation in this area has given rise to new problems and issues affecting consumers which
require action. A "discussion paper" has been drafted covering these concerns and has been
sent to national experts and other interested parties for consultation prior to the drafting of a
formal proposal for a new Directive.

In July 1997, the Commission issued a Recommendation on electronic payment instruments28)
which up-dated an earlier Recommendation of 1988 on payment cards. The instruments
covered by the Recommendation are:

• "bank-account-access" products: instruments that provide for remote access to accounts
held at financial institutions, typically banks. This category includes home-banking and
phone-banking applications as well as payment cards;

• "electronic-money" products: instruments on which electronic value is stored whether as
magnetic stripe or micro-circuit cards or computer memories ("e-money" or "cyber-
money" products).

The Commission Recommendation concerned transactions effected by such instruments and
set out the main standards to apply to the relationship between issuer and holder. The
Commission launched a study in order to assess the extent of implementation of this
Recommendation and the final report of this study should be completed in March 2001.

As far as the regulation of electronic money itself is concerned, a "Directive on the taking up,
pursuit of and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutions"29) was
adopted on 18 September 2000. In particular, this Directive clarifies the position of electronic
money institutions vis-à-vis the Banking Directives,
specifies prudential supervision
requirements (for initial and ongoing capital, limits on permissible investments, etc.) and lays
down rules for redeemability.

The Financial Services Action Plan underlined the urgent need to establish a truly
integrated consumer market in which the interests of customers and businesses are properly
protected and identified insurance intermediaries as an area where priority action was
required. A clear, common approach to the rules on intermediaries is essential in order to
guarantee freedom of cross-border insurance services and to maintain protection of insurance

26)

27)

28)

29)

COM(1998) 468 (OJ C 385, 11.12.1998)
Directive 87/102/EEC of 22 December 1986
Commission Recommendation on transactions by electronic payment
97/489/EC -30.07.97
Directive 2000/46/EC of 18 September 2000

instruments (issuer-holder)

12

customers at a high level. A proposal for a Directive on insurance mediation30), designed to
update the existing Community rules that were introduced in 1976, was adopted by the
Commission on 25 September 2000.

A debate on "Over-indebtedness" was held at the Consumer Council in April 2000. As a
follow-up, the Commission launched two studies. The first of these is intended to gather
statistical data on the extent of cross-border indebtedness, whereas the second was designed to
review Member States legislation on indebtedness. The results of these studies should provide
useful input to the Commission's work on combating social exclusion. In addition, the
Commission will use consumer policy instruments to tackle this problem. In particular, the
modifications to the consumer credit Directive should lead to more informed and prudent
lending practices.

In February 2001, the Commission launched a cross-border out-of-court complaints network
for financial services, called FIN-NET, together with nearly 40 national complaints schemes
from EU and EEA countries. This co-operation network aims at providing consumers with
easy and informed access to out-of-court redress in cross-border financial services issues, at
ensuring exchange of information between different schemes so that cross-border complaints
can be handled as quickly, efficiently and professionally as possible, and at ensuring that out-
of-court dispute settlement schemes from different Member States comply with a common set
of minimum guarantees. The Commission will publish a consumer guide to out-of-court
settlement of cross-border disputes in financial services at the end of 2001.

• ACTION AREA: A single currency for consumers

Within the domain of financial services, preparations for the introduction of the Euro are
currently a matter of pre-occupation both for businesses and consumers. The process of
coming to terms with the Euro is a difficult task for most consumers as money provides a
framework of values affecting a person's thoughts and behaviour which are not easily
changed. It is not only the most European-minded or the most active consumers who will be
concerned but each citizen of the Euro zone from child to grandparent.

Although the Member States have the main responsibility for ensuring a smooth transition to
the Euro, the Commission has also made a significant contribution to the efforts aimed at
increasing consumers’ familiarity with the new currency. This has included stimulating the
development of information and training tools (the "Euro made easy" concept and network)
and the financing of special sessions for trainers from consumer associations and other non-
governmental organisations that cater especially for people likely to have difficulty in
adjusting to the new currency (for example, the blind, the deaf, the old, the mentally-
handicapped).

The Commission has also implemented various actions (annual studies and opinion polls)
designed to encourage good practice by businesses. These actions have concerned,
in
particular, the monitoring of business reactions to the three Recommendations concerning the
Euro, covering:

• Dual indication of prices and local observatories;

• Bank charges; and

30)

COM (2000) 511

13

• The provision of consumer information.

The Commission will continue to monitor the various actions that are already underway and
also consumers' reactions. The Commission plans to issue,
in October 2001, a new
Recommendation on the practicalities of introducing the Euro, including a section on aspects
of importance to consumers.

Commitment appropriations under this action area totalled

€

2.7 million in 2000.

• ACTION AREA: Maintaining an up-to-date regulatory framework

Modern society is characterised by a rapid rate of change in many areas. This maintains
pressure on government institutions to ensure that the regulatory framework remains relevant.
Meeting this objective requires monitoring the effects of existing legislation and also
consideration of the need for new legislation as a result, for example, of changing marketing
techniques or through product innovation. In this domain, when considering specific sectors,
the Commission often has recourse to individual studies by outside experts.31)

In more general terms, the Commission's broad objective is to simplify the legislative
framework where possible. Therefore, the items concerning revisions to the directives on
misleading advertising and on door-to-door selling, which were included in the Action Plan,
have been postponed as they will be considered as part of the forthcoming comprehensive
green paper on the future of consumer protection. This is an example of the benefit to be
obtained from applying a flexible approach to the implementation of the Action Plan with the
objective of achieving a more coherent strategic approach to a particular issue.

• ACTION AREA: Better enforcement and monitoring of existing legislation

The EC legislative process is characterised by the participation of several types of institutions
at regional, national and international levels. This situation creates numerous opportunities for
different interpretations of legal requirements and different levels of enforcement in practice.
Against this background, the Commission has introduced a range of actions designed to
improve the enforcement and monitoring process.

The Commission has used informal dialogues with Member States, prior to transposition, as a
means of improving national
implementing legislation. Meetings have been held with
Member States on 'Unit pricing' (in January 1999), on 'Distance selling' (October 1999), and
on 'Comparative advertising' and 'Injunctions ' (November 1999). Further meetings are
planned relating to the directive on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and
associated guarantees. Similar meetings have also taken place after transposition in order to
review any problems that arise.

31)

For example, a study has been made on how the directive on Misleading Advertising might be amended
to cater for misleading health claims and another on whether existing EC consumer law needs updating
in the light of the new conditions created by the Information Society.

14

The Commission's work does not end once legislation is in place and has become effective, as
it must remain alert to any problems that may arise. For example, the Commission has
produced reports on the application of Directive 93/13/EC on unfair terms in consumer
contracts32) and on consumer complaints in respect of distance selling and comparative
advertising33).

However, the burden of monitoring and enforcement falls largely on the control authorities in
each Member State. The Commission has encouraged the European members of the
International Market Supervision Network (IMSN) to improve the conditions for co-operation
and information exchange between members on an informal basis. Meetings of "IMSN
Europe" were held in September 1999, in March and October 2000 and in March 2001.34)
Technical instruments allowing the sub-group to optimise exchanges of information between
its members (be it on specific problems or best practices) are being developed.

Notwithstanding these initiatives, experience has confirmed that it is difficult to develop
effective administrative co-operation on an ad hoc informal basis. Existing informal co-
operation does not address all
the issues on which co-operation between national
administrations and the Commission is required. A more formal system is needed to:

• Monitor developments systematically in order to identify and address problems;

• Give a Community dimension to the practical enforcement of consumer policy;

• Provide the framework necessary for the Commission to carry out its new Treaty role of

monitoring national consumer policies;

• Provide a platform for co-operation on non-legislative initiatives;

• Provide a framework within which the administrations of the candidate countries can

improve their enforcement mechanisms in the run up to accession.

The Commission will shortly launch a green paper on the future of consumer protection
which will, inter alia, consider the option of developing a framework directive on co-
operation between the Commission and Member States.

32)

33)

34)

COM(2000)248 final of 27.04.2000
COM(2000)127 final of 10.03.2000
The Commission participates in the meetings of this sub-group but does not take the Chair nor sets the
agenda. The Commission's contribution is limited to acting as a secretariat and providing a meeting-
room and interpretation when the Chair of the IMSN is a non-European member and meetings of IMSN
Europe are, therefore, held in Brussels.

15

• ACTION AREA: Services of general interest

In 1996, the Commission presented a first Communication on Services of General Interest
in Europe35). This Communication marked an important step in the Commission's recognition
of the role of economic services of general interest as a key aspect in the European model of
society. More recently, in September 2000, a new Communication on Services of General
Interest in Europe36) gives further clarification of the policy of the Commission in this area.
The new Communication restates that the main objective of action must be to serve the best
interests of the public by offering access to high quality services at affordable prices.

The essential nature of services of general interest has also led to the establishment of
levels of dialogue. In December 1999 the Consumer Committee approved the
different
principles that, it is believed, need to be followed when developing the universal service
concept. Several debates have also taken place in the different Consumer Councils, resulting
interest during the Internal
in the adoption of a declaration on services of general
Market/Consumer Council of 30th of November 2000.

Work has also continued to develop the consumer dimension in specific sectors. In 2000, the
Commission proposed a new package of legislation on electronic communications networks
and services that includes a proposal for a directive on universal service and user rights.
The proposal on the modification of the postal directive also foresees the development of a
higher level of consumer protection and the Commission adopted, a Communication on the
Protection of Air Passenger Rights in the European Union37) in June 2000.

Finally, as part of the Eurobarometer series of public opinion polls, the Commission launched,
between April and May 2000, a specific poll on "Europeans and Services of General
Interest"38). Consumer satisfaction with access, price, quality, information available, terms
and conditions of contracts, complaints handling, was measured for a fixed basket of services,
composed of mobile and fixed telephony, electricity, gas and water supply, postal services,
urban transport and inter-city rail services.

• ACTION AREA: Better integration of consumer economic interests in other EU policies

By definition, consumers operate in a market environment that is subject to the social,
economic, legal, political and institutional forces of the area concerned. Therefore, consumer
policy, at whatever level, cannot be developed in isolation but must promote the interests of
consumers in a context where other interests are at stake. It is for this reason that the notion of
consumer policy is increasingly seen as ensuring the integration of consumers' interests in the
development of all other relevant policy areas.

This applies with particular force at the EC level and, over the past two years, efforts to
integrate consumer interests have been made with encouraging results in the following areas:

35)

36)

37)

38)

Commission Communication 'Services of General Interest in Europe': 26.9.1996; COM(96) 443
Commission Communication 'Services of General Interest in Europe':15.9.2000; COM(2000) 580
Communication on 'The protection of Air Passenger Rights in the European Union'; 21.6.2000;
COM(2000) 365
Eurobarometer N° 53 - October 2000 - The results and the executive summary are available at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/policy/developments/serv_gen_int/

16

Internal Market, including Ecommerce &
financial services

Information Society policy, including
telecommunications

Transport policy, including air transport

Competition policy

Introduction of the Euro

Agriculture policy

Implementation of the European
Research Area

Audio-visual policy

Energy policy

Fisheries policy

Notwithstanding the progress achieved so far, the current approach tends to be somewhat ad
hoc and a firmer and more systematic basis for the integration of consumer interests in all
relevant EC policies is needed in order to meet the objective specified in Article 153 of the
Treaty. This should be kept in mind when considering the development of the next Action
Plan.

4.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE EXISTING ACTION PLAN

The current Action Plan will expire at the end of 2001 and, therefore, the Commission will
shortly start the process of drafting a new Action Plan. This process for preparing the next
Action Plan will take account of experience gained over the last two years and, in particular,
of three principal lessons:

• The benefits of flexibility in implementing the Action Plan;

• The need to adopt a more strategic approach to EU consumer policy;

• The importance of effective integration of a consumer dimension in all relevant EC

policies.

Flexibility in implementation

Although the Action Plan was established for a period of three years, this time horizon must
not be seen as a "straight-jacket" that excludes any possibility of adjustment. Rather, the
Action Plan should be seen as the basis for a dynamic process which, whilst providing a
sufficiently sound foundation for resource planning, is flexible enough to adapt to changing
circumstances. For example, the current Action Plan had to be adjusted to take account, in
particular, of:

• The need to deal with food safety as an issue of prime importance, and

• The rapid development of electronic commerce.

A more strategic approach

Whilst there are clear benefits to maintaining this flexibility, adjustments should only be made
within the limits of an agreed policy framework. Indeed, one criticism that has been levelled
at the current Action Plan is that it is still too much of a "patchwork" of numerous individual
actions that lacks a well-structured underlying strategy through which a synergy between the
various objectives and actions can be developed. This can lead to a certain lack of coherence,

17

for example, through the inclusion of specific actions in the absence of an underlying political
objective.

Although there are historical reasons for such an approach, the recent recognition of the
importance of consumer policy justifies a move towards a more systematic and strategic
approach that will provide a sound basis for a more coherent policy. This change of approach
will require action in two key areas:

• The development of a "knowledge base"39);

• The introduction of impact assessment techniques.

The current Action Plan, as well as its predecessors, has been handicapped, to some extent, by
the limited availability of the data necessary to arrive at an informed judgement. Indeed, over
the last decade, a significant number of consumer-related actions initiated by the Commission
have been on a pilot basis precisely in order to overcome this lack of information. However,
in the evolving information age, a more systematic and comprehensive effort is needed to
develop a suitable "knowledge base" as an essential tool to assist policy development.

A preliminary step in this direction has been made in the action to prepare a publication
entitled "European Consumers in Facts and Figures". By bringing together the most
relevant and useful data in this area, this publication will improve the availability of basic
factual information as the necessary foundation for the evaluation and development of
consumer policy. The material will include data from various sources including EUROSTAT,
other Commission services as well as external surveys and studies. Work has commenced on
collecting the relevant data and it is expected that the final publication will be produced
towards the end of 2001.

The material will be of considerable use in the evaluation and development of consumer
policy and in helping to better understand the needs of consumers in general. The publication
is intended to be of use not only to policy makers, but also to consumer organisations and the
general public.

The coherence of the Commission's consumer strategy and the effectiveness and efficiency of
the associated actions would be improved by a more systematic recourse to impact
assessment techniques. Impact assessment can be conducted at any stage in the programme
cycle. It may be conducted before a programme or policy is implemented (i.e. ex ante), when
potential impacts of a planned policy intervention are assessed. It may also be conducted
when a programme or policy has come to an end (i.e. ex post), involving an estimation of
impacts produced.

These techniques would help:

• to decide, ex ante, which policies and actions are most appropriate for the attainment of the

identified objectives; and also

• to verify, ex post, whether the expected impact has been achieved in practice.

39)

This is a particular example of action that will contribute to the implementation of the European
Research Area.

18

The following evaluations of activities have already been undertaken using contracts with
external firms:

– the pilot projects on sustainable consumption, for which a report was received on

11.9.2000;

– the "Consumerland" project (an informatics-based virtual consumers' world), for which the

evaluation was received on 22.12.2000;

– the food safety campaign, for which a report was received on 30.3.2001.

In addition, an evaluation of
organisations is underway, and the report is expected to be presented in September 2001.

the financial support granted to European consumer

The Commission intends to seek an external evaluation of how it has met certain
commitments set out in the current Action Plan. This evaluation will provide one input to the
overall assessment of the implementation of the Action Plan. However, in order to provide a
sound basis for a more complete and transparent appraisal of the effectiveness and efficiency
with which consumer policy is being conducted, every effort will be made to improve the
capacity of the Commission's services to conduct both ex ante and ex post evaluations.

Effective integration

Article 153 of the Amsterdam Treaty, paragraph 2 states that "Consumer protection
requirements shall be taken into account in defining and implementing other Community
policies and activities." As noted above, efforts to ensure that EC policy initiatives have taken
full account of consumers' interests have been increasingly successful. These past efforts
have, however, been largely on an ad hoc basis. Moreover, as a systematic record of this work
has not been maintained, appropriate recognition of the extent of any success has not been
forthcoming. Against this background, it is clear that further action is needed to achieve
effective integration. The central objective must be to ensure that consideration of the
consumer dimension becomes an integral part ab initio of the development of all relevant EC
policies and actions, as other relevant policies will be taken into account within consumer
protection policy.

Existing efforts to ensure that a consumer dimension is included in all relevant EC policies
and activities, including constructive participation in inter-service consultation procedures and
the progressive development of a network of specialised contacts, will be pursued and, where
possible, intensified. However, such contacts should be complemented by the introduction of
a systematic co-ordination mechanism. The Commission, therefore, will establish a permanent
"Inter-services group on consumer policy". This group, which would meet on a regular
basis, would help to identify priority areas for integration and facilitate a more pro-active
approach to ensuring that consumers’ interests are taken into account in all EC policies and
activities.

The greater use of policy impact assessments and evaluations, as mentioned in the previous
section, will also facilitate the task of ensuring that consumer concerns are properly taken into
account in all relevant EC policy areas. The better the policy impact assessment capacity, the
more persuasive will the arguments become, thus increasing the likelihood of convincing not
only consumer representatives but also business and other stakeholders as well as the Council
and the European Parliament.

19

Complementary actions

Meeting the challenge of ensuring more responsive policy-making that reflects the needs of
citizens and consumers requires more than a change of attitude within a single institution. It
also requires a greater interest amongst the general public in debating policy issues and the
development of effective means of communicating the resulting consensus views to the
relevant institutions.

In this respect, the restructured Consumer Committee40) has an important role to play in
ensuring better policy integration. At
the inaugural meeting of the Committee held on
7.11.2000, the Consumer Committee was asked "to act as an effective advocate of consumer
interests through its active participation and input in consumer policy developments in the
Commission. It should also engage constructively with other stakeholders in promoting
consumer interests. In addition, it should develop contacts with other Community institutions,
in particular, the Council and the Parliament".41)

In order to help the Consumer Committee to fulfil its mandate, the Commission will make
every effort to inform the Committee, at the earliest possible stage, of issues relevant to
consumers that are under consideration by the Commission. The objective must be to ensure
that consumer interests are taken into account right from the conceptual stage of any relevant
political initiative.

As a complement to the traditional channels already used by consumer organisations to
identify issues of consumer concern, the Commission is also exploring the feasibility of using
the Internet to improve governance by interactivity. It is proposed to pursue this objective
initially by developing two types of action:

• Collection of spontaneous feedback via intermediaries - Unlike polls or consultations
(which address a particular subject at a particular time), a feedback mechanism is neutral
and can relay reactions from the marketplace continuously, thus providing an updated view
of problem areas almost in real time;

• Consultations on an identified topic – Similar internet mechanisms can be used for:

– issues which can be answered by voting yes/no, or by choosing one option from a limited

set of possibilities, or

– more complex subjects (such as new policies or draft legislation), where multiple choice

questions need to be combined with the option to provide answers in freeform text.

Discussions on this Interactive Policy Making Initiative42) are continuing, and it is intended
that consumer related issues would be one of the areas included in this mechanism. Both the
Signpost Service, which handles citizens' queries including those concerning their rights as
consumers in the Internal Market, and the European Consumer InfoCentres (Euroguichets)
will initially provide the information feedback in the field of consumer policy. The analysis of
this data concerning consumers' experiences will help the Commission to evaluate the impact
of consumer policy.

40)

41)

42)

See the earlier section on "A more powerful voice for the consumer throughout the EU"
Speech by Commissioner Byrne to the Consumer Committee (7.11.2000)
See IP/01/519

20

Other considerations relating to future policy development

As the coverage of EC consumer protection legislation gradually expands, attention will tend
to shift from the need to develop legislation to cater for newly-revealed problem areas and
will focus more on the accompanying measures needed to ensure that existing legislation
becomes effective in practice. Ineffective enforcement undermines the objectives of EC
legislation. It is, therefore, essential that existing legislation both be correctly transposed into
national legal systems and, once implemented, be enforced in an efficient and systematic
manner by the competent enforcement authorities in each Member State. Co-operation
between the relevant authorities is necessary to ensure that collective consumer rights are not
undermined and consideration should be given to how this may be strengthened. Moreover, if
consumer’s individual rights are to have practical value, mechanisms must exist to ensure
they can be effectively exercised. In particular, access to justice requires simple, efficient and
effective solutions to provide consumers with realistic opportunities to seek redress when they
have suffered detriment.

Another policy area that will obviously assume greater political importance in the next policy
document is the practical effects of enlargement. If Community consumer protection is to be
taken on effectively in the candidate countries, attention will need to be focussed on three
areas in particular. Firstly, ensuring that the requirements of Community law on consumer
protection are fully adopted by the candidate countries. Secondly, ensuring an effective
monitoring and enforcement system in those countries to put consumer protection rules into
effect. Thirdly, provision should be made for support
to help reinforce consumer
organisations in the candidate countries so that consumers become aware of their rights and
can exercise them effectively. In order to meet these objectives, appropriate provisions will
need to be incorporated in the next legal base.

5.

CONCLUSION

two years have seen many changes, political, organisational and operational,
The last
affecting the development of consumer policy at the level of the European Community.
However, as can be seen from this Interim Report, these changes have generally not had a
detrimental effect on the implementation of the Action Plan. Indeed, the overall situation
shows not only that progress has been made in the traditional areas of consumer policy, but
that the Commission has also been active in safeguarding consumers' interests in new areas
such as the Internet in general and electronic commerce in particular.

In broad terms, the last few years have certainly been years of transition, with consumer
policy moving to centre stage. The increased political priority that is being given to consumer
affairs at the European level does, however, mean that greater public attention will be
focussed on the policy development process. Attention should, therefore, be increasingly
turned to consolidating the recent upgrading of EC consumer policy.

Looking forward to the next Action Plan, this would imply that the Commission's central
objective should be to ensure that future proposals for consumer policy and related activities
are built on a strong foundation, flow from a coherent strategic framework, benefit from a
wide-ranging and transparent consultation process, and are subject to a rigorous system of
monitoring and impact assessment.

21

IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION 283/1999/EC IN YEAR 1999 AND 2000 (in

€

)

Annex 1

Policy objective 1 – A More Powerful Voice for the Consumer Throughout the EU

ACTION

Year 1999

Year 2000

Euroguichets – serving EU consumers better

European Consumer Centres (including handling of complaints)

Better information and education for consumers

Europa Homepage on the Internet

Eurobarometer - inquiry on consumer associations

1,719,014

1,719,014

6,135,997

299,490

293,595

1,950,530

1,950,530

5,450,225

411,530

0

Information Campaign on Food Safety

4,108,373

3,772,899

Consumer Voice ( 1999 editions)

Consumer Voice ( 2000 editions)

Consumerland

Consumerland - informatics development

Integration of consumer education into Member States’ school curricula

European Young Consumers Competition

22

62,000

228,000

0

0

413,445

703,229

0

394,699

0

13,714

0

657,383

Publication

Meetings

International co-operation

Meeting with Japanese consumers organisations

Financial support

Article 2b): Financial support to European consumer organisations - year 1999

Article 2b): Financial support to European consumer organisations - year 2000

Article 2b): Financial support to European consumer organisations - year 2001

Article 2c): Financial support

TOTAL POLICY OBJECTIVE 1

27,865

0

30,000

30,000

4,603,709

1,423,203

1,355,000

1,825,506

12,488,720

0

200,000

0

0

2,735,738

240,185

1,430,000

990,553

10,136,493

23

Policy objective 2 – A High Level of Health and Safety for EU Consumers

ACTION

Science-based policy-making

Scientific committees : experts’ allowances

Scientific committees: preparatory analyses

Extension of contracts: RIVM et LNR

Scientific committees' research on hair dyes

Opinions of the Scientific committees recorded on CD-Rom

BSE: publication

BSE studies

Critical review on xenobiotic hormones

Risk assessment for human health of haloethers (isomeric bis(dichloropropyl)ethers)

Safer products

Eurobarometer on the assessment of the effectiveness of various safety markings (also
the CE mark)

24

Year 1999

Year 2000

2,334,629

1,450,000

69,435

127,923

48,618

36,888

4,913

474,740

6,647

115,465

262,428

106,940

2,193,128

1,500,000

32,575

0

0

39,100

0

621,453

0

0

35,000

0

Eurobarometer on GMO labelling

Technical assistance: revision of the General Product Safety Directive

Safer services

Study : general duty to trade fairly (study transferred from part A of the Budget)

Expert services: hearing on door-to-door selling

Study on the justification, needs and priorities in the field of safety of services

Better enforcement, monitoring and response to emergencies

Rapid Exchange of Information System for non-food products

Rapid Exchange of Information System for food products

IMS 24/EMIS (Euratom Management Information System): system for the activities of
the FVO (planning of the inspections, follow-up and reports)

Experts accompanying Commission teams on missions

Training: Europhyt

Seminars / conferences

Finnish Presidency conference: « European Food 2000 » (23-24/09)

Forum on toxicology

Danish conference on endocrine disrupters

25

155,488

0

198,010

78,900

0

119,110

1,189,708

61,913

366,860

395,935

335,000

30,000

57,408

28,372

29,036

0

0

35,000

9,740

0

9,740

0

1,188,151

0

347,730

490,421

350,000

0

84,529

0

0

84,369

Other

Financial support

Article 2c): Financial support

TOTAL POLICY OBJECTIVE 2

0

802,878

802,878

4,845,061

160

1,120,478

1,120,478

4,631,026

26

Policy objective 3 - Full Respect for the Economic Interests of EU Consumers

ACTION

Year 1999

Year 2000

Financial services and a single currency for consumers

Eurobarometer on the Euro

Euro actions : implementation of agreement between consumers and business

Euro actions : « Euro Made Easy » (information campaign for vulnerable consumers)

Evolution of bank tariffs after the introduction of the Euro; in particular trans-border
tariffs

Seminar: training of trainers

Publications: Euro Made Easy

Financial dialogue

Training seminar for Greek NGOs

Training seminar

Inquiry on the application of the agreement between consumers and business

Reproduction and transmission of information material on the Euro

Eurobarometer on financial services

27

979,904

493,248

99,636

61,786

276,360

0

48,874

0

0

0

0

0

2,713,257

442,497

0

100,000

0

0

30,000

0

218,639

150,000

99,547

1,000,000

315,927

Overindebtedness: overview of current use of methods of payment - statistical data and
option for solutions

Qualitative study: preparedness of consumers in view of the introduction of the Euro

A more up-to-date regulatory framework

Compilation of consumers rights

Preparation of a Community system for verification and certification of « Green claims »

Follow up contract with CDC

Better enforcement and monitoring

Database for Unfair Contractual Terms (CLAB): collection and analysis

Database for Unfair Contractual Terms (CLAB): informatics support

Publication of the conference acts on unfair contract terms

Eurobarometer - access to justice

Form "Access to justice": contracts 1998

Form "Access to justice" : new contracts

International Marketing Supervision Network (IMSN):
standardised information between enforcement authorities

system of exchange of

Better integration of consumer economic interest in other EU policies

Price index study (cofinancing with Eurostat, DG MARKT)

28

0

0

119,735

61,155

45,680

12,900

995,786

283,000

96,117

7,910

288,443

247,683

2,500

70,133

356,546

0

209,750

146,897

0

0

0

0

303,224

158,424

0

0

0

0

0

144,800

335,003

160,003

Network of integration experts

Network of integration experts

Follow-up of the conference of Rome - Development of a web-site

Eurobarometer on services of general interest

Soft-law work shop

Consumer policy statistical publication

Seminars/conferences

German Presidency conference on electronic commerce

Finnish Presidency conference on « Services of general interest in Europe »

Seminar: duty to trade fairly

Financial support

Article 2c): Financial support

TOTAL POLICY OBJECTIVE 3

22,900

38,000

42,500

203,146

50,000

0

152,673

83,548

69,125

0

1,910,273

1,910,273

4,514,917

0

0

0

0

0

175,000

75,000

0

0

75,000

2,190,932

2,190,932

5,617,416

29

EVALUATIONS

Year 1999

Year 2000

Evaluation of food safety campaign

Evaluation of pilot projects on sustainable consumption

Evaluation of "consumerland"

Evaluation of financial support granted to European consumer organisations (Article 2 b)

GRAND TOTAL IMPLEMENTED

GRAND TOTAL AVAILABLE

386,240

224,050

97,650

64,540

0

99,984

0

0

0

99,984

22,234,938

22,350,000

20,484,919

22,905,000

30

Annex 2

Total number of requests for financial support received by the Commission in response to the
calls

Total number ofrequests not fulfilling the conditions and criteria of the call and therefore
rejected

Number of approved individual projects*

Number of European consumer organisations supported **

Total amount of financial support requested (euro)

Total amount of support granted to individual projects (euro)*

Total amount of support granted for the activities of European consumer organisations
(euro) **

1999

2000

210

157

49

4

178

137

36

5

19,816,169

16,240,225

4,538,657

4,680,164

1,423,203

1,595,185

Total number of dossiers implemented ***

45

41

* Financial support granted under Article 2 c) of Decision 283/1999/EC

** Financial support granted under Article 2 b) of Decision 283/1999/EC

*** This figure comprises financial support under both Article 2 b) and 2 c). It shows the number of dossiers that were
implemented at the end of the year.

31