EU consumer policy
"Consumer interests are to be taken into account in all areas of European policy."(Federal Minister Ilse Aigner)
In order to guarantee a high level of consumer protection within the European Union, European legislation is constantly developed. In Europe there are several provisions concerning fundamental safety requirements for products. For food, feed, cosmetics and other consumer products, the protection of consumers from health hazards is ensured through an independent system of general and specific legal provisions.
Basic consumer rights regarding the initiation, conclusion and fulfilment of consumer contracts for goods and services and the enforcement of claims are also governed by European law. Mention could be made here by way of example of legal provisions on general contract law, unfair commercial practices, cancellation rights for doorstep sales, package tours and timesharing, distance selling, consumer loans, roaming fees for mobile phone networks or land passenger and air passenger rights.
On the European level the BMELV promotes provisions which guarantee transparency of the contracts and offerings and make possible the effective assertion of rights.
