(2004/C 33 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1740/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject:   Results of the experimental phase of the European extrajudicial network (EEJ-NET)

The experimental phase of the European extrajudicial network (EEJ-NET), which was launched on 16 October 2001, lasted for a year and involved 17 countries (all Member States plus Norway and Iceland).

The introduction of the network offered European consumers more appropriate alternatives for resolving disputes without having to go through the courts, with the lengthy timescales and delays they involve.

Will the Commission give details of the main conclusions of the report it submitted following the experimental phase and say whether the results obtained warrant the setting up of a European register of good practice for companies taking part in the dispute settlement mechanism, as proposed by the network and advocated by the group of governmental experts?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

The European extrajudicial network (EEJ-Net) aims to help consumers resolve cross border disputes where their economic interests are at stake. To this end the EEJ-Net offers consumers information and assistance in resolving such disputes through an appropriate out-of-court alternative dispute resolution (or ‘ADR’) scheme. 17 Clearing Houses have been established in each Member State, as well as in Norway and Iceland, to meet this objective.

The pilot phase of the EEJ-Net was launched on 16 October 2001, with the initial participation of eight Member States as well as Norway and Iceland. The remaining seven Member States (1) were integrated during the course of 2002. Although the pilot phase was due to finish at the end of October 2002, it was decided to extend it to 2003. Indeed, an expert group of government and Clearing Houses representatives, chaired by the Commission, considered this would greatly benefit the development of the network, as a number of Clearing Houses only became fully operational months after the official launch date. This additional period will give the Clearing Houses more time to test their systems, improve co-ordination and fully implement supporting technical tools (i.e. the website and a complaint handling database).

The statistics relating to the activity of the Clearing Houses from 16 October 2001 to 31 March 2003 are encouraging. The total number of complaints received by all the Clearing Houses over that period is 2182. This number considerably increased in the last six months of the period as the network was becoming more established. It is clear that the network is fulfilling its objectives and is delivering real benefits to many consumers.

A Conference, in which Parliament was represented, took place on 10 and 11 June 2003 to evaluate the network. It has brought together all the relevant stakeholders. One of the Conference workshops has explored the issues relating to encouraging the growth of more ADR schemes. The setting up of a European register of good practice for companies taking part in the dispute settlement mechanisms was not discussed as such. However, the advantages of having some kind of certification system, in order to ensure consumer confidence, was highlighted. This issue will be examined further as part of the future development of the network.

The Commission will produce a full assessment report on the network. It will be presented to the Parliament and the Council by the end of 2003.

(1)  Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands.