Commission communication concerning Article 4(3) of Directive 98/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests, concerning the entities qualified to bring an action under Article 2 of this Directive (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2002-11-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: application of EU law, approximation of laws, consumer protection, right of action

9.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 273/7

Commission communication concerning Article 4(3) of Directive 98/27/EC of the European
interests,
Parliament and of

the Council on injunctions for the protection of consumers'

concerning the entities qualified to bring an action under Article 2 of this Directive

(2002/C 273/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

authorities of

the Member States

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

DENMARK

1. Forbrugerombudsmanden
(Consumer Ombudsman)
Amagerfælledvej 56
DK-2300 København S
Tel. (45) 32 66 90 00
Fax (45) 32 66 91 00
E-mail: fs@fs.dk
Website: www.fs.dk
(English: www.consumer.dk/index-uk.htm)

Purpose of the Consumer Ombudsman

The Consumer Ombudsman ensures, with reference to the
Marketing Act, that the law is observed, more specifically
from the point of view of consumers.

The Consumer Ombudsman is competent to bring actions
under the following Directives:

— Council Directive 84/450/EEC of 10 September 1984
relating to the approximation of the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions of
the Member States
concerning misleading advertising.

— Council Directive 85/577/EEC of 20 December 1985 to
protect the consumer in respect of contracts negotiated
away from business premises.

— Council Directive 87/102/EEC of 22 December 1986 for
the approximation of the laws, regulations and adminis-
the Member States concerning
trative provisions of
consumer
amended by
credit,
Directive 98/7/EC.

as most

recently

— Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on
package travel, package holidays and package tours.

— Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair

terms in consumer contracts.

— Directive 94/47/EC of the European Parliament and the
Council of 26 October 1994 on the protection of
purchasers in respect of certain aspects of contracts
relating to the purchase of the right to use immovable
properties on a timeshare basis.

— Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of
consumers in respect of distance contracts.

— Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the
sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees.

— Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of
information society services,
in particular electronic
in the Internal Market (‘Directive on elec-
commerce,
tronic commerce’).

2. Lægemiddelstyrelsen

(Danish Medicines Agency)
Frederikssundsvej 378
DK-2730 Brønshøj
Tel. (45) 44 88 91 11
Fax (45) 44 91 73 73
E-mail: dkma@dkma.dk
Website: www.dkma.dk

Purpose of the Danish Medicines Agency

The task of the Danish Medicines Agency is to approve the
placing on the market of medicines that are effective and
to help ensure that social security expenditure on
safe,
medicines is in reasonable proportion to the therapeutic
benefits, and to monitor the area of medicinal products
and medicinal equipment.

— Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on
the coordination of certain provisions laid down by
Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in Member
States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting
activities, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC.

The Danish Medicines Agency is competent to bring actions
in the
contraventions of Council Directive
92/28/EEC of 31 March 1992 on the advertising of
medicinal products for human use.

event of

C 273/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.11.2002

GERMANY

1. Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V.

(ABI)

Alte Poststraße 5
D-70173 Stuttgart

Protects consumers'
interests by offering
authorised to
information and advice;
bring collective actions in the interest of
consumers

2.

Verbraucherzentrale
Bundesverband e.V.

Markgrafenstraße 66
D-10969 Berlin

3.

Berliner Mieterverein e.V.

Wilhelmstraße 74
D-10117 Berlin

der

three

Association incorporating
former
organisations: Stiftung Verbraucherinstitut,
Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Verbraucher-
verbände e.V. and Verbraucherschutzverein
e.V. (VSV)
Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

tenants'

interests

Protects
in Berlin by
offering information and advice; authorised
to bring collective actions in the interest of
tenants

4.

Bund der
Energieverbraucher e.V.

Grabenstraße 7
D-53619 Rheinbreitbach

Protects energy consumers' interests; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of energy consumers

5.

Bund der Versicherten e.V.

Rönkrei 28
D-22399 Hamburg

6.

Bundesverband der
Verbraucherzentralen und
Verbraucherverbände —
Verbraucherzentrale
Bundesverband e.V. (VZBV)

Markgrafenstraße 66
D-10969 Berlin

7.

Bundesverband privater
Kapitalanleger e.V.

Am Goldgraben 6
D-37073 Göttingen

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
of
in
collective
consumers

interest

actions

the

8. Datenschutzbund Hamburg e.V. Am Diebsteich 1

D-22761 Hamburg

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice, especially in the
field of data protection; authorised to
bring collective actions in the interest of
consumers

9. Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Sonnenenergie e.V.

Augustenstraße 79
D-80333 München

renewable

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice, especially in the
fields of
energy forms and
rational use of energy, focusing particularly
authorised to bring
on solar
collective
of
in
consumers

energy;
actions

interest

the

9.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 273/9

10. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Kieler Mieterverein e.V.

Eggerstedtstraße 1
D-24103 Kiel

11. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Landesverband Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern e.V.

Dr.-Külz-Straße 18
D-19053 Schwerin

12. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Landesverband
der Mietervereine in
Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V.

Luisenstraße 12
D-44137 Dortmund

13. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Landesverband
Schleswig-Holstein e.V.

Eggerstedtstraße 1
D-24103 Kiel

14. Deutscher Mieterbund

Mieterbund Rhein-Ruhr e.V.

Rathausstraße 18—20
D-47166 Duisburg

15. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Mieterverein Groß-Velbert und
Umgebung e.V.

Friedrich-Ebert-Straße
62—64
D-42549 Velbert

16. Deutscher Mieterbund —
Mieterverein Hamm und
Umgebung e.V.

Südring 1
D-59065 Hamm

of

tenancy

Protects consumers' interests in Kiel in the
providing
field
information and advice;
authorised to
bring collective actions in the interest of
consumers

law by

interests

consumers'

Protects
in Meck-
lenburg-Western Pomerania in the field of
tenancy law by providing information and
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of consumers

authorised

to bring

Protects consumers' interests in the field of
tenancy law by providing information and
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of consumers

authorised

to bring

Protects consumers' interests in Schleswig-
Holstein in the field of
tenancy law by
providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of consumers

Protects tenants'
interests in Duisburg by
providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of tenants

Protects tenants'
region by providing
advice;
actions in the interest of tenants

interests in the Velbert
information and
collective

authorised

to bring

Protects tenants'
region by providing
advice;
actions in the interest of tenants

interests in the Hamm
information and
collective

authorised

to bring

17. Deutscher Mieterbund —
Mieterverein Iserlohn e.V.

Vinckestraße 4
D-58636 Iserlohn

Protects tenants'
interests in Iserlohn by
providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of tenants

18. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Mieterverein Kassel und
Umgebung e.V.

Königsplatz 59/
Eingang Poststraße 1
D-34117 Kassel

19. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Mieterverein Schwerin und
Umgebung e.V.

Dr.-Külz-Straße 18
D-19053 Schwerin

tenants'

interests

Protects
region by providing
advice;
actions in the interest of tenants

in the Kassel
information and
collective

authorised

to bring

Protects tenants' interests in the Schwerin
information and
region by providing
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of tenants

authorised

to bring

C 273/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.11.2002

20. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Mieterverein Siegerland und
Umgebung e.V.

Koblenzer Straße 5
D-57072 Siegen

21. DMB — Mieterverein Stuttgart

und Umgebung e.V.

Moserstraße 5
D-70182 Stuttgart

22. DMB — Mieterschutzverein
Frankfurt am Main e.V.

Eckenheimer
Landstraße 339
D-60320 Frankfurt
am Main

23. Deutscher Mieterbund —

Mieterschutzverein Wiesbaden
und Umgebung e.V.

Adelheidstraße 70
D-65185 Wiesbaden

24. Deutsche Schutzvereinigung

Auslandsimmobilien e.V.

Zähringer Straße 373
D-79108 Freiburg

Protects tenants' interests in the Siegerland
information and
region by providing
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of tenants

authorised

to bring

Protects tenants'
region by providing
advice;
actions in the interest of tenants

interests in the Stuttgart
information and
collective

authorised

to bring

Protects the interests of tenants in Frankfurt
am Main by providing information and
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of tenants

authorised

to bring

Protects tenants' interests in the Wiesbaden
information and
region by providing
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of tenants

authorised

to bring

Protects the interests of private house, flat
and land owners with property abroad and
in foreign
other persons with interests
property by providing information and
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of the above persons

authorised

to bring

25. Mieter helfen Mietern,

Münchner Mieterverein e.V.

Weißenburger Straße 25
D-81667 München

Protects the interests of tenants in Munich
by providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of tenants

26. Mieter und Pächter e.V.

Prinzenstraße 7
D-44135 Dortmund

27. Mieterverein Bochum,

Hattingen und Umgegend e.V.

Brückstraße 58
D-44787 Bochum

Protects the interests of tenants and lessees
in Dortmund by providing information and
advice;
collective
actions in the interest of tenants

authorised

to bring

tenants'

interests

Protects
in Bochum,
Hattingen and the region by providing
information and advice;
authorised to
bring collective actions in the interest of
tenants

28. Mieterverein für Lüdenscheid

und Umgegend e.V.

Lösenbacher Straße 3
D-58507 Lüdenscheid

29. Mieterverein Gelsenkirchen e.V.
im Deutschen Mieterbund

Gabelsberger Straße 9
D-45879 Gelsenkirchen

Protects tenants'
interests in the Lüden-
scheid region by providing information
and advice; authorised to bring collective
actions in the interest of tenants

Protects the interests of tenants and lessees
by providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of tenants

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30. Mieterverein Köln e.V.

Mühlenbach 49
D-50676 Köln

31. Mieterverein München e.V.

Sonnenstraße 10
D-80331 München

Protects the interests of tenants in Cologne
by providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of tenants

Protects the interests of tenants in Munich
by providing information and advice; auth-
orised to bring collective actions in the
interest of tenants

32.

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

Spessartring 37
D-63110 Rodgau

Protects the interests of consumers and
service users by providing information
and advice; authorised to bring collective
actions in the interest of consumers and
service users

33.

Verbraucherzentrale
Baden-Württemberg e.V.

Paulinenstraße 47
D-70178 Stuttgart

34.

Verbraucherschutzverein e.V.
(VSV)

Lützowstraße 33—36
D-10785 Berlin

35.

Verbraucherzentrale Berlin e.V.

Bayreuther Straße 40
D-10787 Berlin

36.

Verbraucher-Zentrale
Brandenburg e.V.

Templiner Straße 21
D-14473 Potsdam

37.

Verbraucher-Zentrale des
Landes Bremen e.V.

Altenweg 4
D-28195 Bremen

38.

Verbraucher-Zentrale
Hamburg e.V.

Kirchenallee 22
D-20099 Hamburg

39.

Verbraucher-Zentrale
Hessen e.V.

Große Friedberger
Straße 13—17
D-60313 Frankfurt/Main

40.

Verbraucherzentrale
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V.

Strandstraße 98
D-18055 Rostock

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
of
in
collective
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
of
in
collective
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

C 273/12

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Official Journal of the European Communities

9.11.2002

41.

Verbraucher-Zentrale
Niedersachsen e.V.

Herrenstraße 14
D-30159 Hannover

42.

Verbraucher-Zentrale
Nordrhein-Westfalen
Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft der
Verbraucherverbände e.V.

Mintropstraße 27
D-40215 Düsseldorf

43.

Verbraucherzentrale
Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.

Ludwigstraße 6
D-55116 Mainz

44.

Verbraucherzentrale des
Saarlandes
Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft
der Verbraucherverbände e.V.

Hohenzollernstraße 11
D-66117 Saarbrücken

45.

Verbraucher-Zentrale
Sachsen e.V.

Bernhardstraße 7
D-04315 Leipzig

46.

Verbraucherzentrale
Sachsen-Anhalt e.V.

Steinbockgasse 1
D-06108 Halle

47.

Verbraucherzentrale
Thüringen e.V.

Eugen-Richter-Straße 45
D-99085 Erfurt

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
of
in
collective
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

Protects consumers' interests by providing
information and advice; authorised to bring
collective
of
in
consumers

interest

actions

the

IRELAND

Director of Consumer Affairs
4-5 Harcourt Road
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. (353-1) 402 55 00
Fax (353-1) 402 55 01
E-mail: odca@entemp.ie
Website: www.odca.ie

ITALY

1. ACU — Associazione Consumatori Utenti — Onlus

Via Bazzini 4, I-20131 Milano (MI)
Tel. (39) 02 70 63 06 68
Fax (39) 02 70 63 67 77

2. Adiconsum

Via G. M. Lancisi 25, I-00161 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 641 70 21
Fax (39) 06 44 17 02 30

3. ADOC — Associazione Difesa Orientamento

Consumatori
Via Lucullo 6, I-00187 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 482 58 49
Fax (39) 06 481 90 28

4. Centro Tutela Consumatori Utenti Onlus —

Verbraucherzentrale Südtirol
Via Dodiciville 11, I-39100 Bolzano (BZ)
Tel. (39) 047 197 55 97
Fax (39) 047 197 99 14

5. Cittadinanzattiva

Via Flaminia 53, I-00196 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 36 71 81
Fax (39) 06 36 71 83 33

6. Codacons — Coordinamento delle associazioni per la
tutela dell'ambiente e per la difesa dei diritti degli
utenti e consumatori
Viale Mazzini 73, I-00195 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 372 58 09
Fax (39) 06 370 17 09

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7. Comitato Consumatori Altroconsumo
Via Valassina 22, I-20159 Milano (MI)
Tel. (39) 02 66 89 01
Fax (39) 02 66 89 02 88

8. Confconsumatori

Via Aurelio Saffi 16, I-43100 Parma (PR)
Tel. (39) 052 123 01 34
Fax (39) 052 128 52 17

9. Federconsumatori — Federazione Nazionale di

Consumatori e Utenti
Via Gioberti 54, I-00185 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 49 27 04 34
Fax (39) 06 49 27 04 52

10. Lega Consumatori

Via Orchidee 4/A, I-20147 Milano (MI)
Tel. (39) 02 48 30 36 59
Fax (39) 02 48 30 26 11

11. Movimento Consumatori

Via Carlo Maria Maggi 14, I-20154 Milano (MI)
Tel. (39) 02 33 60 30 60
Fax (39) 02 34 93 74 00

12. Movimento Difesa del Cittadino

Via Adis Abeba 1, I-00199 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 86 39 92 08
Fax (39) 06 86 38 84 06

13. Unione Nazionale Consumatori

Via Duilio 13, I-00192 Roma (RM)
Tel. (39) 06 326 95 31
Fax (39) 06 323 46 16

AUSTRIA

1. Wirtschaftskammer Österreich

and of

industry and trade

its
Represents and promotes the common interests of
members
and individual
members (§ 1 of the Wirtschaftskammergesetz = Chamber of
the collective interests of
Commerce Act). Protection of
consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28(a)(1) and § 29(1) of
the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

promotion of full employment; involved in the establishing
of prices and competition rules; provides advice and legal
protection in matters pertaining to labour law and social
law,
collective
interests of consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28(a)(1) and
§ 29(1) of the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the
UWG.

representation.

including

Protects

the

Bundesarbeitskammer
Prinz-Eugen-Straße 20-22
A-1040 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 501 65 25 50
Fax (43-1) 501 65 25 32
E-mail: helmut.gahleitner@akwien.or.at

3. Präsidentenkonferenz

der

Landwirtschaftskammern

Österreichs

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

Präsidentenkonferenz der Landwirtschaftskammern
Österreichs
Löwenstraße 12
A-1010 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 534 41 85 00
Fax (43-1) 534 41 85 09
E-mail: pkrecht@pklwk.at

4. Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund

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

(other

other

than

in

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich
Wiedner Hauptstraße 63
A-1045 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 501 05 42 96
Fax (43-1) 50 20 62 43
E-mail: huberta.maitz-strassnig@wko.at

2. Bundesarbeitskammer

Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund
Hohenstaufengasse 10-12
A-1010 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 53 44 44 05
Fax (43-1) 53 44 45 52
E-mail: thomas.maurer-muehlleitner@oegb.or.at

Represents and promotes the social, economic, occupational
and cultural interests of workers; contributes to improving
the economic and social situation of workers and their
families,
implements measures in matters pertaining to
education, culture, environmental protection, consumer
protection, the organisation of leisure time, the protection
the
and promotion of health and living conditions,

5. Verein für Konsumenteninformation

informs and protects consumers with regard to
Advises,
misleading and unfair advertising and sales methods, and
in legal matters pertaining to the purchase of goods and
services. Protects
the collective interests of consumers
pursuant to § 28(1), § 28(a)(1) and § 29(1) of the KSchG
and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

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9.11.2002

Verein für Konsumenteninformation
Mariahilferstraße 81
A-1010 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 58 87 73 33
Fax (43-1) 588 77 75
E-mail: pkolba@vki.or.at

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

6. Österreichischer Landarbeiterkammertag

2. Kuluttajat — Konsumenterna ry

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

Österreichischer Landarbeiterkammertag
Marco d'Aviano-Gasse 1
A-1015 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 512 23 31
Fax (43-1) 512 23 31 70
E-mail: oelakt@netway.at

7. Österreichischer Seniorenrat
(Bundesaltenrat Österreichs)

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

Österreichischer Seniorenrat
(Bundesaltenrat Österreichs)
Sperrgasse 8-10/III
A-1150 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 892 34 65
Fax (43-1) 892 34 65 24
E-mail: kontakt@seniorenrat.at

8. Schutzverband gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb

in
competition,
Combats unfair
of
the
protects
life,
economic
consumers pursuant to § 28(1), § 28(a)(1) and § 29(1) of
the KSchG and § 1, § 2(1) and § 14(1) of the UWG.

libel
interests

especially trade

collective

Schutzverband gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb
Schwarzenbergplatz 14
A-1040 Wien
Tel. (43-1) 514 50 32 92
Fax (43-1) 505 78 93
E-mail: office@schutzverband.at

SUOMI/FINLAND

1. Kuluttaja-asiamies

(the Consumer Ombudsman) is responsible for:

— general

in
connection with marketing and conditions of contract,

supervision

protection

consumer

of

(registered consumer organisation) monitors
tiveness and progress of consumer protection)

the

effec-

3. Suomen Kuluttajaliitto

(Finnish Consumers' Association) monitors
interests
community and in relation to the market.

independent

through

civil

action

consumers'
the

in

4. Kuluttajavirasto

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

5. Rahoitustarkastus

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

6. Lääkelaitos

(National Agency for Medicines) supervises medicine adver-
tising.

7. Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon tuotevalvontakeskus

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

8. Telehallintokeskus

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

supervises

— regulations governing ethical principles in advertising

and teleshopping and the protection of minors

— alcohol and tobacco advertising.

SWEDEN

Information on national measures taken to fulfil Sweden's obli-
gations in the European Union:

In accordance with Articles 4(2) and 5(2) of Directive 98/27/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May
1998 on injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests,
we hereby provide the following information:

Article 4(2): The Konsumentverket (National Consumer Agency)
is the central managing authority for consumer questions, and
is charged with looking after consumers' interests.

The National Consumer Agency
the Consumer
Ombudsman are authorised to bring actions under Article 2.

and

9.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 273/15

Article 5(2): The rules governing prior consultation are
contained in § 4 of the Act (2000:1175) on access to justice
for certain foreign consumer authorities and consumer organi-
sations (see Annex).

UNITED KINGDOM

5. The Director-General of Electricity Supply for

Northern Ireland

The Director-General of Electricity Supply for Northern
Ireland is responsible for regulating the gas and electricity
markets in Northern Ireland and protecting the interests of
gas and electricity customers.

1. Director General of Fair Trading (OFT)

6. The Director-General of Telecommunications

The purpose of the Office of Fair Trading is to make the
markets work well for consumers. Its objectives are: (a) to
help maximise consumer welfare in the long term,
protecting vulnerable consumers' interests by: empowering
consumers through information and redress; protecting
them by preventing abuse; and promoting competitive
and responsive supply; (b) to make sure that competition
works well
in markets for goods and services so as to
make those markets more efficient and benefit consumers.

2. The Information Commissioner

The Information Commissioner has a number of specific
the Data Protection and Freedom of
duties under
including promoting the following of
Information Acts,
good practice and observance of
the requirements of
in the case of data protection,
both acts
including,
the data protection principles by data
observance of
the production of
controllers;
codes of practice by others; and the dissemination of
information to the public about the Acts.

the encouragement of

3. The Civil Aviation Authority

The Civil Aviation Authority has a number of specific
functions under the Civil Aviation Act 1982 including
furthering
air
transport services and protection against the consequences
of air transport organiser failure through the licensing of
provision of flight accommodation.

interest of users of

reasonable

the

4. The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority

The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority is responsible
for regulating the gas and electricity markets in Great
Britain and protecting the interests of gas and electricity
customers.

for Telecommunications

the
The Director-General
regulator for the UK telecommunications industry whose
responsibilities
of
consumers, purchasers and other users of telecommuni-
cation
telecommunications
apparatus supplied.

promoting

provided

interests

services

include

and

the

is

7. The Director-General of Water Services

The Director-General of Water Services is the economic
regulator of the privatised water industry in England and
Wales. His responsibilities include protecting the interests
of the consumers with regard to pricing and standards of
service
between
adjudicating
appointed companies and their customers.

disputes

certain

and

8. The Rail Regulator

The Rail Regulator is responsible for the regulation of the
railways in Great Britain. The Regulator's responsibilities
include protecting the interests of users of railway services.

9. Every weights and measures authority in Great Britain

local
Weights and measures authorities are part of
government in Great Britain. They enforce the law and
regulations governing the sale and supply of goods and
services and provide advice services for consumers and
business.

10. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

in Northern Ireland

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in
law and regulations
Northern Ireland enforces
governing the sale and supply of goods and services in
Northern Ireland, and provide advice for consumers and
business.

the

C 273/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.11.2002

ANNEX

Act (2000:1175) on access to justice for certain foreign consumer authorities and consumer organisations
promulgated on 7 December 2000

Pursuant to the decision of the Swedish Parliament (1) the following provisions are laid down (2).

Scope

§ 1 This Act applies to infringements of provisions implementing the Directives listed in an Annex to Directive
98/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 1998 on injunctions for the protection of
consumers' interests.

However, the Act applies only to those infringements of provisions aimed at protecting consumers' interests that
affect consumers in countries of the EEA (European Economic Area) other than Sweden.

Bringing of actions before Swedish courts by qualified entities

§ 2 An authority or organisation in an EEA country other than Sweden may bring an action in a Swedish court on the
grounds of an infringement as referred to in § 1 if it is a qualified entity included in a special list drawn up by the
European Union and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

§ 3 The action must be for measures to be taken against someone for failure to comply with a provision as provided

for in § 1. The measures sought must be:

1. a prohibition or injunction pursuant

the Swedish Marketing Act
(1995:450), or a prohibition pursuant to §§ 3 and 6 of the Swedish Consumer Contracts Act (1994:1512);

to §§ 14-16, § 17(1) and §§ 8-20 of

2. an injunction to pay the Swedish State a special fee as provided for in Chapter 10, §§ 5 and 6, of the Radio and

Television Act (1996:844); or

3.

imposition of a fine prescribed in those cases referred to in 1. Act (2001:401).

§ 4 An action may be brought only if:

1. the applicant has tried, through consultation, to make the other party cease the alleged infringement; and

2. the alleged infringement has still not ceased two weeks after the other party has received the request for

consultation.

Competent court

§ 5 The action shall be brought before:

1. the Market Court (Marknadsdomstolen)

in cases seeking a prohibition or injunction as provided for in the
Marketing Act (1995:450), and in cases seeking a prohibition pursuant to the Swedish Consumer Contracts
Act (1994:1512);

2. the Stockholm County Administrative Court (Länsrätten) in cases seeking special fees as provided for in the

Radio and Television Act (1996:844);

3. the competent district court (tingsrätten) in accordance with Chapter 10 of the Code of Judicial Procedure

(Rättegångsbalken), or the Stockholm city court, in cases seeking imposition of a fine. Act (2001:401).

(1) Prop 2000/01:34, bet. 2000/01:LU3, rskr 2000/01:84.
(2) See Directive 98/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 1998 on injunctions for the protection of

consumers' interests (OJ L 166, 11.6.1998, p. 51, Celex 31998L0027).