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BackThe internal market should be more beneficial to consumers, commented the new Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy this week during a debate of the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament. The Commissioner wants to introduce activities this year, which concern among others the Package Tour Directive, collective remedies (collective action), consumer complaints and digital products.
With regard to collective remedies, Commissioner Dalli announced a communication with consultation for autumn of this year. He had already discussed this with his colleague, Commissioner Reding. The aim is to overcome any resistance against this project. He expects a legislative proposal in less than a year. That way, mass complaints can be solved better.
Dalli is also in contact with his colleague Reding with regard to revising the Package Tour Directive. Viviane Reding is responsible for all legal aspects. According to the new Commissioner, the new Directive should create more fairness; however, he did not go into more detail. He also did not name any date for the publication of the new Commission proposal.
Next month, the Commission will issue a Communication on consumer complaints. The Commission intends to order a study on electrical retailers and on single electrical products.
With regard to digital products, however, the legal framework was significantly lagging behind. Here, the Commission would like to create a consumer-friendly online law. There had a lot to be done with regard to financial products to instil new trust in the consumers. Here too, Dalli wants to set new targets.
Based on the current situation, some MEPs commented on air passenger rights (last week, the “ash cloud” led to considerable obstructions to air traffic) and reported that they had received a number of consumer complaints. Many air passengers had received neither any information nor a minimum of food whilst they were waiting at the airport. Dalli confirmed that he too had received many complaints. The complaints had risen eight-fold. The costs for those flight tickets, which could not be used because the relevant flights were cancelled, had to be reimbursed at all events, said Dalli. Some time ago already, Transport Commissioner Kallas had announced a new Directive proposal on passenger rights.
The comments of the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli were favourably received by most MEPs. Now it is up to Dalli to follow his announcements up with the promised actions.
Dalli is also in contact with his colleague Reding with regard to revising the Package Tour Directive. Viviane Reding is responsible for all legal aspects. According to the new Commissioner, the new Directive should create more fairness; however, he did not go into more detail. He also did not name any date for the publication of the new Commission proposal.
Next month, the Commission will issue a Communication on consumer complaints. The Commission intends to order a study on electrical retailers and on single electrical products.
With regard to digital products, however, the legal framework was significantly lagging behind. Here, the Commission would like to create a consumer-friendly online law. There had a lot to be done with regard to financial products to instil new trust in the consumers. Here too, Dalli wants to set new targets.
Based on the current situation, some MEPs commented on air passenger rights (last week, the “ash cloud” led to considerable obstructions to air traffic) and reported that they had received a number of consumer complaints. Many air passengers had received neither any information nor a minimum of food whilst they were waiting at the airport. Dalli confirmed that he too had received many complaints. The complaints had risen eight-fold. The costs for those flight tickets, which could not be used because the relevant flights were cancelled, had to be reimbursed at all events, said Dalli. Some time ago already, Transport Commissioner Kallas had announced a new Directive proposal on passenger rights.
The comments of the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli were favourably received by most MEPs. Now it is up to Dalli to follow his announcements up with the promised actions.