EKPIZO
About
EKPIZO was established in 1988 with the aim of protecting consumer rights and improving quality of life. It is a non-governmental, non-profit making association, registered with the Ministry of Development and Investments,where the Registry of consumer associations can be seen here. The Greek specific legislation for consumer associations only permits income from membership fees, subsidies/grants from national-EU or other public institutions, collective actions, professional or scientific associations and Foundations. EKPIZO policy areas include legal, financial, insurance, health, food, energy, environment, safety and consumer education issues; however, the degree of occupation with each one differs significantly, with a greater emphasis over the last 12 years on legal and financial themes.
Success Stories
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2001-2022: 62 collective actions against private companies for misleading advertising-unfair contract terms-violation of the Consumer Protection Law. Out of the 52 heard, we won 44, a fact that, among other, have led to consumer-friendly jurisprudence and higher consumer protection level in Greece.
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1992-2022: Extrajudicial and judicial actions resulting in the return of almost 22 million € to consumers
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2019: Successful lobbying for the modification of the law for Intellectual Property Rights that now allows generics to be put on the market although the original drugs patent is still in force.
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18/10/2013-22/12/2013: Organisation of an international campaign (65 days) for the continuation of the home foreclosures’ ban. Over 150,000 people from all over the globe signed our petition and their signatures were delivered to the Vice-President of the Parliament. By the end of 2013, government decided to prolong foreclosures ban for one year.
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June 2010: National campaign (30 days) for the adoption of a law on consumer insolvency. 4,246 people signed our petition and their signatures were sent by e-mail to the Prime Minister and other competent ministers. The relevant law was adopted after 30 days.
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2012-2013: Interlocutor with European Commission’s Task Force for Greece and EP Committees for the current problems Greek consumers face because of the financial and economic crisis
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2011-2016: Interlocutor with the European Central Bank-IMF Working Group on household over-indebtedness
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2008: Boycott against companies selling fresh milk over €1/lit. having very high publicity and consumer participation
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Three meetings with the President of Greek Republic for different reasons (2008, 2014, 2017)
Facts
- Founded in 1988
- A BEUC member since 1988
- 9 staff (2 external)
- Members in 2021: over 23,000
- Consumers individually advised in 2021: 42,220
- Debt settlement tailor made advice: 30,000 consumers (2010-2020)
www.ekpizo.gr
www.facebook.com/ekpizo
twitter.com/ekpizo
Linkedin