EU consumer law

Abstract:

Consumer protection within the EU is severely constrained by the lack of a legal basis for dealing with consumer policy as a legitimate area unconnected with the internal market. However progress is being made and the European Commission adopted a new consumer policy strategy in 2002 which aims to maximise the benefits of the internal market for consumers, to help achieve integration of consumer concerns into all other Community policies, and to prepare for enlargement. This work seeks to present the law pertaining to consumer protection as drawn from that wider range of policy areas.

The book is organised over sixteen substantive chapters. Following a comprehensive introduction, chapter two provides the history and background to the development of EU consumer protection. Chapter three addresses product liability and general product safety. Chapter four examines safety in agricultural products and foodstuffs from general principles to specific products, through GMOs and organic food. Chapter five deals with water, while cosmetics are featured in chapter six. Chapter seven addresses dangerous substances. Toys are the subject of chapter eight, then tobacco products are dealt with in chapter nine. Community Warning and Information Systems are the focus of chapter ten featuring RAPEX, a system set up for the rapid exchange of information on dangers arising from the use of consumer products. Chapter eleven covers the Community measures on labelling and price indication of a general nature as well as a few product-specific Directives which appear important for consumers’ everyday life. Chapter twelve features advertising and unfair commercial practices, then chapter thirteen goes on to look at consumer contracts. Chapter fourteen examines the area of electronic commerce. Chapter fifteen deals with holidays and travel, and the final chapter covers financial services with commentary upon credit transfers and payment systems as well as the insurance industry.

The book will interest scholars, students, researchers and practitioners engaged in consumer protection issues.