The Consumer Rights Directive: How to get it right - Decision Makers' Guide

The EU has a longstanding tradition of developing consumer protection policy and legislation, while setting strong protection standards. Indeed, such legislation is a cornerstone of the European project. There are few rights which citizens employ more frequently, and value so highly, as their consumer rights.

The proposed Consumer Rights Directive was presented by the Commission in October 2008. It merges 4 existing Directives, namely Unfair Contract Terms, Sales and Guarantees, Distance Selling and the Doorstep Selling Directives, into a single ’horizontal’ Directive.

BEUC, the European Consumers’ Organisation and its national member organisations believe there are fundamental flaws in the current Commission proposal and substantive changes need to be made before this piece of legislation deserves its name. We must get it right.