Support for consumers on information highway

Date: 12/09/1996

A NEW European Commission watchdog has been set up to protect consumers' rights in the information society.

The task force has been launched by Consumer Affairs Commissioner Emma Bonino to ensure that end-users of information technology are not forgotten in the Commission's race to keep pace with developments and formulate policy on the new technology revolution.

A study is already under way to assess whether existing rules on distance selling are suitable for the information highway and what, if anything, needs to be done to clarify consumers' rights and establish clearly where they should seek redress if they think they have been short-changed. Eventually, the Commission aims to draw up a code for protecting and policing consumer rights on international networks.

Officials are also seeking to encourage consumer associations to use information technology as a faster and more cost-effective means of opening a two-way dialogue.

Money from the consumer budget has been targeted at programmes to foster communication among national groups on the information highway.

The Commission and Irish presidency also hope to stimulate debate on the social and employment implications of the information society at a forum in Dublin on 30 September.