BEUC BEUC/424/2005 The European Consumers' Organisation 06/10/2005 Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs Avenue de Tervueren, 36/4 B - 1040 Bruxelles Tel: (32 2) 743.15.90 Fax: (32 2) 740.28.02 [email protected] Programme of Community action in the field of health and consumer protection 2007-2013: BEUC position paper This  is  the  BEUC  position  paper  on  the  European  Commission  Proposals  for  a  new Community Policy and Health Strategy to run form 2007 to 2013¹. The  proposal  is  in  the  form  of  a  draft  decision  with  three  annexes  and  explanatory material. Briefly, the Commission proposes to join health and consumer policy together in one programme with some aims or objectives common to both policy areas and others that are specific either to health or consumer policy. SUMMARY of MAIN POINTS of BEUC’S SUBMISSION Consumer priorities must be maintained The proposed joining of health and consumer policy should not diminish the importance and specificity of consumer policy. The programme should focus on the consumer as an important economic player and driver of competition, and on the role of consumer policy in improving the functioning of the Internal Market. There are some factors in common between consumer and health policy but consumer policy is also closely linked to many other   policy   areas,   including   competition,   trade,   internal   market,   economic   policy, transport, agriculture, energy, etc. (Of course there may also be health aspects to some or all of these policies but in a different way.) Maximum harmonisation must not be used as a one-size-fits-all principle The objective of ensuring a common high level of protection for all EU consumers needs to be maintained. However, we are concerned about an apparent presumption in favour of maximum harmonisation in the review of the consumer acquis. The issue of maximum harmonisation should be subject to a broad and open debate and evaluated on a case ¹Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Healthier, safer, more confident citizens: a health and consumer protection strategy and Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme of Community action in the field of health and consumer protection 2007-2013 (COM(2005)115)

by  case  basis.  Member  states  must  continue  to  have  the  possibility  to  anticipate  or respond to new challenges in the market place.   Concrete  measures  to  achieve  the  integration  of  consumer  policy  into  all  EU policies Integrating consumer policy into all EU policies has always been one of our demands. For this to happen in practice, there is a need for concrete measures at EU level, which should  include  benchmarking  and monitoring  instruments  to measure  the  achievement of this objective. Need for consumer-oriented research at EU level Consumer oriented research is essential to ensure that the perspective of the demand side  of  markets  is  taken  into  account.  A  reporting  mechanism  on  consumption  and consumer  protection  at  EU  level  should  also  be  established  to  provide  objective  and reliable information. The information and expertise of consumer organisations must be used   to   better   understand   consumers   and   markets.   We   are   concerned   that   the Consumer Institute would mean such expertise would be given less attention. Better enforcement and redress mechanisms More  emphasis  should  be  put  on  enforcement  at  national  and  cross-border  level  by establishing a general framework for cooperation between EU member states. Effective redress mechanisms for national and cross-border transactions must be put in place by improving access to alternative dispute resolution systems and assessing the quality of existing schemes. Financial support to develop capacity-building of consumer organisations We   welcome   the   programme’s   aim   to   increase   the   participation   of   consumer organisations  in  EU  policy-making.  Such  support  should  also  be  provided  at  national level   for   consumer   organizations   in   the   new   member   states   which   lack   financial resources. Capacity-building of consumer organisations is also key if consumers are to have more awareness of their rights, especially in the new member states. Consumers  need  a   nutrition   policy  that  addresses  the  way   in   which  foods  are marketed, the use of health and nutrition claims, the high levels of salt, sugar and fat in many products and the nutritional information provided to consumers.