CONSUMERS : COMMISSION TIGHTENS MEASURES TO TACKLE MARKETING SCAMS.

Five years on from the entry into force of the directive on unfair commercial practices, the European Commission announced, on 14 March, its intention to tighten up its enforcement in order to make consumers more confident about shopping in the European internal market. The executive presented a set of measures to tackle aggressive commercial practices denounced across the Union, such as so-called free offers and bait-and-switch advertising for products that cannot be supplied.

This initiative, which forms part of the new European Consumer Agenda adopted in 2012, is motivated by a report(1) in which member states and stakeholders signal that a lack of resources, the complexity of internal procedures and the absence of deterrent sanctions threaten to undermine proper application of the legislation.

"Consumer spending accounts for 56% of EU GDP, but a lack of consumer confidence in shopping across EU borders means we are still not tapping into the full potential of the single market," said Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. She demands "zero tolerance for rogue traders so consumers know exactly what they are buying and are not getting ripped off. That also means a coherent approach to enforcing the same set of rules." With its new initiative, the Commission intends to:

- improve the efficiency of the European consumer protection network and promote coordinated enforcement actions (sweeps)

- help member states effectively apply the directive through guidance and sharing of best practices

- develop enforcement indicators to detect shortcomings and failures that require further investigative and/or corrective action

- establish regular thematic workshops between national enforcers and organise training for enforcers and the judiciary.

Tourism and transport, digital, financial services and property markets are...