Nemzeti Fogyasztóvédelmi Hatóság

The European Commission has today set out a series of common, non-binding principles for collective redress mechanisms in the Member States so that citizens and companies can enforce the rights granted to them under EU law where these have been infringed. The Recommendation aims to ensure a coherent horizontal approach to collective redress in the European Union without harmonising Member States' systems and improve access to justice, while ensuring appropriate procedural guarantees to avoid abusive litigation. For further info: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/civil/files/com_2013_401_en.pdf

According to change in the Hungarian Food Codex, products will not longer be marketed under the “beer” name that are added any material after aging and filtering, thus their character, taste, smell and color change and an essentially new product is created – the Ministry of Rural Development told at the government’s news site. According to the information of kormany.hu, the names of these products will include the word “beer” if the manufacturers make it clear to consumers, that beer is only one component of the product. Thus, for example, they can sell and beer mixture, mixed beer or beverage contaning beer.

In 2012, a total of 2,278 measures against dangerous non-food products, were taken by Member States and reported in the EU Rapid Information system (RAPEX). This indicates a 26% rise in alerts when compared to 2011 figures, an increase that could be attributed to the improved enforcement work carried out by the authorities in EU countries. RAPEX is the EU rapid alert system between Member States and the Commission on non-food products. Its role is to disseminate information quickly on potentially dangerous consumer products. This allows for earlier identification and earlier removal from EU markets of products that could pose a risk to consumers, such as children's clothing, textiles and electrical appliances which do not meet safety standards. >>>

The European Club Health project has produced a series of resources to support local, national and European policymakers and practitioners develop healthier and safer nightlife environments.

Nightlife plays a key role in modern life, being a major aspect of young people’s recreation and an important source of employment, economic development and tourism. However, nightlife can also present a range of problems, including drunkenness, drug use, anti-social behaviour, violence, injury and risky sexual behaviour. The development of safe nightlife settings is a growing priority across Europe, where town and city authorities must manage not only the recreational habits of their own youth, but also those from other countries as international tourism increases. Effectively managing nightlife is critical in protecting the health of young people and reducing the burdens that night time antisocial behaviour can place on public services and society. Here can you download the guidelines and recommendations,  and the factsheet.

More than three-quarters of the consumers would willing to pay a premium for products that are produced according to the strictest safety standards – the research of the TÜV SÜD quality management firm states. In the survey, 5,000 people were interviewed in China, India, Japan, in the UK and in the U.S.A. 77 percent of the surveyed would willing to pay a 16 percent  premium fee for products that are produced according to the strictest safety standards. 63 percent of the respondents agreed that the safety of products is “very important” for them. In 2007 only 47 percent of them thought it so.

We are getting more and more ably in saving money: with larger technical equipments we are waiting for the seasonal fall of prices and we are taking advantage of the preferential commercial credit options. During this year’s discount winter sales we took more than one and a half times as much into our “basket” from the most popular technical products than a year ago – the commercial credit datas of Cetelem shows. The popularity of the temporarily available 0% APR remains undiminished, and we use credit cards providing discounts throughout the year with more courage.

Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, Tonio Borg, welcomed the vote of the European Parliament on Alternative Dispute Resolution and Online Dispute Resolution (ADR-ODR) today. This vote confirms the agreement on the two proposals put forward by the European Commission in 2011.  >>>

World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is an annual international occasion. The day aims to enhance solidarity within the international consumer movement. March 15 gives us an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers. This was the day when USA President John F Kennedy had first outlined the definition of Consumer Rights in 1962. WCRD demands consumer rights to be respected and protected. It also promotes peaceful protests against the market abuses and social injustices.  >>>

On 12 March 2013, the European Parliament voted to support the new legislation on Alternative Dispute Resolution and Online Dispute Resolution. The vote confirms the political agreement reached in December 2012 on the two legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission in 2011. The new legislation will now soon be adopted. >>>

"Consumer Justice Now!" will be the theme of World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2013. Consumers International (CI) is urging its members and supporters to use the occasion to expose the very real damage caused by poor or non-existent consumer protection around the world.  >>>