European Union has EUR 190 mln in store for consumer protection program until 2020

The budget for European Union’s consumer program amounts to a total of EUR 188.8 million for 2014-2020, or five cents per citizen a year, according to a statement of the European Commission. “For just five cents per citizen a year, the European Union's consumer program helps citizens to fully enjoy their consumer rights and actively participate in the single market,” reads the EC’s statement. The program will serve consumers in all Member States with projects ranging from coordinating enforcement actions, co-financing the European Consumer Centers to assisting national authorities in resolving breaches of consumer laws. The new consumer program will focus on several areas, such as:

• a single market of safe products to the benefit of citizens and in the interest of competitive businesses and traders
• a single market where citizens are well represented by effective consumer organizations with the capacity to meet the challenges of today's economic environment
• facilitation of access to redress mechanisms in case of problems without needing to resort to court procedures which are lengthy and costly both for consumers and the public purse. Easier redress will give consumers more confidence to participate in the market and contribute to growth
• a concrete and effective collaboration between national bodies to support the enforcement of consumer rights and provide the consumers with advice

Government entities, public bodies and national and EU level consumer organizations can also apply for support through these funds. The previous consumer program realized between 2007-2013 had a budget of some EUR 156 million. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com