Stronger consumer rights

The European Commission is pushing for longer cooling-off periods, tougher delivery standards and for an end to hidden charges writes Zoe Casey in the European Voice:

European consumers should soon be able to benefit from a raft of measures aimed at strengthening consumer protection, if plans drawn up by the European Commission get the green light from the European Parliament and member states.

The draft directive, published by the Commission on 8 October, would see stricter standards set for the delivery of goods, measures to end hidden charges and a longer EU-wide ‘cooling-off period' during which consumers can cancel an order without stating a reason and still receive a full refund.

Under the proposal, goods from anywhere in Europe would have to be delivered within 30 days, and consumers would gain the right to financial compensation within seven days for damaged or undelivered goods.

The draft, which covers both internet and high-street shopping, also says that pre-ticked boxes on websites, such as those which automatically include travel insurance, should be banned, and a new list of unfair and abuse contract terms could be enforced.

Meglena Kuneva, the European commissioner for consumer protection, said the single market has the “potential” to give consumers more choice and opportunities, “but for that we need an EU-wide safety net of rights so consumers have the security they need to shop around with peace of mind”.

Opponents to here proposals say that some elements, such as the proposed 14-day cooling-off period, are too generous. Currently across the EU the cooling-off period varies from seven days in Ireland, up to 15 days in Slovenia and Malta...

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