BEUC NEWS - 29.11.2022

Yesterday, representatives from the BEUC Secretariat and Czech consumer organisation dTest - a member of BEUC - met with Eduard Muřický, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The meeting, which took place in Prague, aimed to discuss consumer-related issues of particular importance still pending  during the Czech Presidency of the EU, ending on 31 December.

Luis Silveira Rodrigues, BEUC’s Vice President, commented :

“Policymakers must see consumer protection as an enabler of the green and the digital transition, even more so in times of crisis. Consumers have a crucial role to play in the market by making informed purchasing decisions. And to do so, they need strong rights and reliable information. We call on the Czech government to make good use of the remaining weeks of their Presidency to achieve results that meet these expectations.”

The BEUC delegation underlined the important role of consumer organisations and the need to sustain capacity building to enable them to effectively play their role to advise and support consumers in their daily lives, particularly in times of crises and to test products.

Discussions also touched upon a very timely file, the General Product Safety Regulation, which was in the last stages of negotiations between the Council and the EU Parliament. This new law – which was concluded since our meeting was held – will better protect consumers from unsafe products.

BEUC also reiterated that the switch to more sustainable lifestyles is a pre-condition for consumers’ welfare in the future. Several initiatives are putting the EU on this track, including new consumer legislation which aims to strengthen consumer information on durability and repairability of products and better protect consumers from misleading practices.

Finally, the BEUC and dTest delegates voiced concerns about the developments on digital files such as the Artificial Intelligence Act, and the ePrivacy Act which require more attention to make sure consumers are properly protected.

More information in our Memorandum to the Czech Presidency.

On the image: From left to right: Ursula Pachl (Deputy Director General of BEUC), Eduarda Hekšová (Director of dTest), Eduard Muřický (Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic), Luis Silveira Rodrigues (Vice President of BEUC).