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THERE ARE MANY LAWS THAT HAVE originated in EU directives designed to protect the consumer in cross-border transactions, however as the Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner recently stressed 'people need to know their rights - and how to enforce them - if this legal protection is going to be of practical use'. To that end the Commission plans to merge two existing consumer services and make sure that EU citizens know where to go if they need information about, or have a problem with, buying goods abroad. Up to now the European Consumer Centres which currently provide information and assistance on cross-border issues; and the European Extra-Judicial (EEJ) Network which help consumers to resolve their disputes outside the courts through schemes such as mediation or arbitration, have been separate.
In a recent Eurobarometer survey it was found that although 53% of those asked across the European Union had had cause to complain about a transaction or service, a majority would not take the dispute to court, if it could not be settled amicably, if the amount involved was less than €500. The reason given by an overwhelming majority was the expense of legal action. When asked if they had heard of any other way of solving these disputes 59% of the sample had heard of alternative dispute resolution of one kind or another. As far as buying things from other EU countries, only 3% of respondents had ever complained, usually by contacting the retailer or service provider directly. However, when told about the EEJ network, the majority said that they would contact it for information and legal redress, but only 5% knew about it before the survey. It is hoped that combining the two services will raise awareness so that the people who have need of affordable, quick and simple dispute resolution will know how to get it.
Web sites mentioned on this page are available at :
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European Consumer Centres - Front page: |
http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/redress/compl/euroguichet/index_en.htm | |
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European Consumer Centre in the UK - Front page: | ||
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NW BT Union Health & Safety - Front page: | ||
IN A JOINT CWU/CONNECT INITIATIVE, SAFETY representatives in British Telecom's north-west region have created their own web site to cement their network at a local level. The North West Telecommunications Safety Co-ordinating Committee aims to ensure a safe working environment, promote occupational health, help members raise safety concerns, advance industry best practice, provide representation at national meetings and raise issues with other safety or government bodies
On a packed front page, enlivened by images of Liverpool and St.Helens, the web site carries health and safety news, links to other sites such as the TUC and the Hazards Centre as well as a message from the chair and contact details for committee. members. Various reports can be downloaded in portable document format (pdf) and relevant health and safety legislation can be accessed. There is even a health and safety fun page which sets out to prove just that.
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