The Commission on 13 March 2007 adopted a new EU Consumer policy strategy 2007-2013, the aim of which is to boost consumer confidence in the single market "to help the EU rise to the twin challenges of growth and jobs and reconnecting with its citizens".
The main objective of the new strategy, in addition to consumer protection, is through increased competition, to bring EU consumers increased benefits in terms of price, choice, quality, diversity, affordability and safety of products.
"With this strategy we aim to awake a sleeping giant, the retail side of the single market. The new tools are there for a dramatic evolution in the cross-border market, but consumer behaviour is lagging behind," said Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, who presented the strategy.
It sets out a number of legislative and non-legislative initiatives to boost the retail side of the single market and announces, for example, a comprehensive overhaul of cross border shopping rights, an in-depth assessment of how best to strengthen consumer collective redress and a pledge to open the market for better cross border deals for consumer credit.
