general product safety the role of consumer organisations enforcement of consumer protection...
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Why are consumer associations involved? How are consumer associations involved? Benefits of their involvement 11/2004 Market surveillanceTRANSCRIPT
General product safety
The role of consumer organisations
Enforcement of consumer protection
Thessaloniki, 22-23 November 2004
Tania VandenbergheANEC Programme Manager
www.anec.org
All products must be safe!
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• Why are consumer associations involved?
• How are consumer associations involved?
• Benefits of their involvement
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Market surveillance
• Manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their products
• Standardisation sets the criteria for safety
• Government is responsible for market surveillance
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Market surveillance
Insert picture of pinguine (TV)
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Unsafe products induce a loss of
consumer confidence!
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• cannot be left to government and industry alone
• consumer organisations have to be involved
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Product safety
• On behalf of government
• Independent watch-dog through comparative product testing
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How are consumers involved?
• Product testing can show deficiencies in market surveillance
• Consumers need information to make informed choices
• Need for a watch-dog in the system
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Lesson to be learned
• Comparative testing is expensive
• Hence consumer organisations seek international collaboration: ICRT
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International collaboration
• Consumer participation is essential
• Lobby to improve access by consumers
• Relationships to help advise and support
• Cooperation at European level (ANEC)
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Standardisation
• Represents and defends consumer interests in standardisation
• Funded by European Commission and EFTA
• Provides technical expertise based on Europe-wide network of 200 experts
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ANEC
Areas of priority
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• Child Safety
• Design for All
• Domestic Appliances
• Environment
• Information Society
• Services
• Traffic Safety
Research is key
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Consumer positions are based
on scientific evidence
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Example: Traffic safety
• Standards affect us all every day everywhere
• Regulatory role of standards in EU (comple-
menting legislation)
• Weak consumer participation at national level in 10 out of 18 European countries
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Why is ANEC’s work important?
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What do consumer organisations
expect
from market surveillance?
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• Consumer protection as the guiding principle
• Sanctions for violation of safety laws
• Improved efficiency
• More resources
• Transparency
