Austrian bid to simplify user manuals

Date: 29/10/1998

By Renée Cordes

HELP could soon be at hand for European consumers who find it difficult to understand the instructions contained in the user manuals accompanying their household appliances.

The Austrian presidency is leading a campaign for the European Commission to draw up guidelines on what information such guides should contain.

The move has, however, prompted concern among EU retailers that it could raise companies' costs, and these would be passed on to shoppers.

A draft resolution drawn up by Austrian officials which will be discussed at a meeting of Union consumer ministers next Tuesday (3 November) argues that operating instructions on electronic goods are "often unintelligible and illogical".

It urges the Commission to examine the issue of user man-uals as it seeks to boost product standards. It also calls on member states to examine ways to improve the information given and to consider voluntary agreements between manufacturers and consumer groups on the design and content of instructions. "We would like to see member states introduce quality seals and award schemes for the best operating manuals," said an Austrian official.

While the draft resolution stops short of calling for EU-wide legislation, it asks the Commission to carry out a study into operating guides throughout the EU and report back to ministers, with proposals if appropriate.

Europe's retailers are concerned that they could face a bureaucratic nightmare if the Commission decides to propose legally-binding measures. "We all face instructions for use which are crazy and not useful, but can it be treated by way of legislation?" said Carole Brigaudeau, a spokeswoman for the retailers' lobby group EuroCommerce. "The consumer should look at both the product and the instructions when buying a product. It is part of the quality of the product or service he or she buys."

The Austrian Presidency is leading a campaign for the European Commission to draw up guidelines on what information should be contained in user manuals for household appliances.