PRESS RELEASE - 24.09.2019

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and Kuluttajaliitto – Konsumentförbundet ry, its Finnish member group, will meet today with the Finnish Minister for Justice, Anna-Maja Henriksson, and the State Secretary for Transport and Communications, Mikko Koskinen, in Helsinki. The goal of the meeting was to stress how the Finnish Presidency of the EU could advance consumer rights by bringing to a close several crucial legislative consumer files.

In most EU countries, consumers do not have the means to go to court in a group if a company has caused damages on a mass scale. This leaves consumers without any efficient tool to get justice when they are harmed. A proposal for a European collective redress system, currently being scrutinised by Member States, could close this enforcement gap.

Another pending draft law would substantially improve the confidentiality of our electronic conversations and give consumers greater power to define what is private when they are online. Powerful business groups and some Member States however oppose the adoption of a new ePrivacy Regulation.

By steering a successful upgrade of current EU rules on rail passenger rights, the Finnish Presidency could increase the compensation amounts consumers receive if their trains are severely delayed or cancelled.

Örjan Brinkman, President of BEUC, commented:

“The Finnish Presidency has the unique chance to leave a lasting mark on EU consumer legislation. We hope it will play an instrumental role in tackling the EU’s redress deficit, better protecting people’s privacy online and boosting rail passenger rights.”

Juha Beurling-Pomoell, Secretary-General of Kuluttajaliitto – Konsumentförbundet ry said:

“Improving the European level of consumer protection is important. We are honoured to have the opportunity to meet with the Minister and the State Secretary and to promote dialog and shared understanding on these crucial legislative consumer files.”