Which are our rights as consumers?

The European Commission, DG SANCO, launched a new brochure to answer usual citizen’s questions about their rights as consumers, on July 2007.


The publication, entitled Your rights as a consumer: How the European Union protects your interests, is intended to help citizens learn more about what the EU is doing for European consumers, how it is protecting consumer’s rights, and how to uphold their rights in case of a problem.

The brochure presents clearly and briefly the main problems that consumers find nowadays. To simplify the comprehension, each issue is accompanied with an example of a practical situation.

The topics dealt with in the publication include the following:

- Product safety
- Product guarantees
- Financial services and consumer credit
- Price transparency
- Unfair contract terms and business practices
- Package holidays
- Timeshare
- Air travel
- Food safety
- Help if things go wrong
- Travelling with animals
- Helping consumers to help themselves

The booklet is intended as a short practical guide, answering some of the most common questions that the European Commission receives from consumers about their rights. To learn more about the specific situation in each country, the Commission encourages consumers to contact their national consumer organisations.

For further information:

- European Commission DG Consumer’s Affairs

- The EU Commission’s Unfair Commercial Practices Directive

- The European Consumer’s Organisation (BEUC)

EPHA related articles:

- New sunscreen labelling for a better protection from the sun

- EU Fundamental Rights Agency: an expert on fundamental rights Vs an EU watchdog

Last modified on August 30 2007.