Programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy (2007-2013)

The European Union has established a financial framework of 156.8 million to support consumer policy during the period 31 December 2006 to 31 December 2013. This will finance 11 initiatives designed to ensure a high level of consumer protection and effective application of the rules pertaining to this policy area.

ACT

Decision No 1926/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy (2007-2013).

SUMMARY

This Decision establishes a programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy (2007-2013) as well its financing, which amounts to 156.8 million for the entire 27 EU Member States.

The action programme for 2007-2013 replaces the previous one running from 2004-2007.

The aim of the programme is to complement, support and monitor the policies of the Member States and to contribute to protecting consumers' health, safety and economic and legal interests, as well as to promote their right to information and education and to organise themselves so as better to safeguard their interests.

This aim is pursued through two objectives:

• ensuring a high level of consumer protection, notably through better consultation with consumers and better representation of their interests;
• ensuring the effective application of consumer protection rules, in particular through cooperation on enforcement, information, education and redress.

Eleven actions are defined for the implementation of these two objectives, including, for the first objective, the collection, exchange and analysis of data and information, the development of assessment tools, legal and technical expertise including studies, seminars and conferences, and contributions to the functioning of European consumer organisations.

The actions under the second objective concern the effective application of Community legislation through coordinated surveillance and cooperation between national authorities; monitoring and assessment of the safety of non-food products and services; information, advice and redress actions; consumer education actions.

Financial participation

The beneficiaries of financial support are public bodies and private non-profit-making bodies in the Member States, designated by the competent authority or Member State concerned using a transparent procedure.

In line with the cases described in Article 4 of Decision No 1926/2006/EC [OJ L 404 of 30 December 2006], beneficiaries may be higher education institutions, students or teachers, officials responsible for enforcing consumer protection legislation, or European consumer organisations.

Annual work plan

The programme for 2007-2013 is based on an annual work plan prepared by the Commission and ratified by the Member States through the Consumer Financial Programme Committee (CFPC) in accordance with Article 10 of the Decision. The 27 Member States are members of the Committee. The EFTA/EEA countries (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) contribute to the financing of the programme and participate in Committee meetings, but do not vote on the annual plan.

The Commission will evaluate the programme three years after its start, i.e. at the beginning of 2010, and following its end in 2013.

For more information on the programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy (2007-2013), please consult the website of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection.

Last updated: 28.03.2007