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

Av. de Tervueren 36B-1040 Bruxelles

phone: +32-2-743.24.70e-mail: anec@anec.orginternet: www.anec.org