NEW CONSUMER RIGHTS MUST BE “EFFECTIVE, PRACTICAL AND PROPORTIONATE”

ECR Internal Market co-ordinator Daniel Dalton MEP today welcomed the European Commission’s New Deal for Consumers.

ECR Internal Market co-ordinator Daniel Dalton MEP today welcomed the European Commission’s New Deal for Consumers.

Mr Dalton, who will pilot proposals through the European Parliament as a rapporteur, said:

“It is good to see the Commission coming forward with ideas to address problems exposed by issues such as the vehicle emissions scandal, the lack of transparency in some online sales and the ‘dual food’ question.

“Our task now is to ensure the Parliament produces legislation that is effective, practical and proportionate. That will take time and we must not allow the Commission’s desire to complete the process before the elections in May 2019 override the need to get this right.”

The proposals, unveiled today, aim to strengthen consumer rights online, introduce class actions led by consumer organisations, tackle the practice of branded food products containing different ingredients in different markets, and remove unnecessary burdens on businesses.

Mr Dalton’s separate report introducing new testing measures to prevent a repeat of the emissions scandal are expected to be approved by the Parliament next week.