Consumer Policy (European Union)

The European Union (EU), and in particular its executive arm, the European Commission, is considered to be the foremost champion of consumer rights in the world as of 2010. The commission's latest action program (2007–2013) in the field of consumer policy (Decision No 1926/2006/EC) contains numerous proposed legislative measures to add to an already large array of EU consumer protection legislation. The program is backed by 156.8 million euros of funding and details its main objectives as being: (1) “to ensure a high level of consumer protection, notably through better consultation with consumers and better representation of their interests;” and (2) “to ensure the effective application of consumer protection rules, in particular through cooperation on enforcement, information, education and redress.” The program thus not only ...