The European Commission has released its ‘Green paper on the Review of the Consumer Acquis', which proposed a number of ideas to strengthen certain areas of consumer protection legislation across the European Union. Among other things, the report concludes that 'many issues are regulated inconsistently', citing the different rules throughout the EU on product guarantees and liability for manufacturers. Following the release of the green paper, the EC will now conduct a two-month period of consultation.
Ireland
Consumer Protection Bill published
The Consumer Protection Bill 2007 was debated in the Irish Parliament in February. If passed by parliament, the Bill will replace much of the existing body of Irish consumer law with a modern statute that will provide consumers with the highest level of protection in their dealings with business. It will also provide the National Consumer Agency with a range of enforcement powers that will ensure that all businesses comply with their legal obligations to consumers.
United Kingdom
Scams Awareness Month begins
The United Kingdom Office of Fair Trading launched its Scams Awareness Month in February to warn consumers about the increasingly sophisticated techniques used by scammers. These techniques include spam emails, texts and internet pop-ups. The nationwide campaign ran throughout February and was designed to give consumers the knowledge and skills they need to ‘recognise, report and stamp out scams’. Scams Awareness Month is part of an international initiative organised by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.
United States of America
Annual consumer protection week underway
In early February the United States Federal Trade Commission launched the ninth annual National Consumer Protection Week in cooperation with federal, state and local agencies and national advocacy organisations committed to consumer protection and education. This year’s theme, 'Read Up and Reach Out. Be an Informed Consumer', was designed to encourage consumers to increase their knowledge of their rights as consumers.
