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Fernand Van GansbekeDG Enforcement and Mediation
Belgium
Enforcing Consumer Protection Legislation
The Belgian Experience
FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE ECONOMY, S.M.E.s,
SELFEMPLOYED & ENERGY
Enforcement and Mediation
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
1. Introduction Belgium : federal state - Kingdom 10,1 mio inhabitants (91 % Belgians) 3 languages (61 % Dutch - 38 % French -
<1% German) 3 federate states (Flanders - Wallonia and
Brussels Capital Region) 10 provinces + Brussels Capital Region 26 judicial districts 589 municipalities
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
2. DG Enforcement & Mediation
Organisation
Market Surveillance : a federal matter DG Enforcement & Mediation (part of the
F.P.S. Economy) > 35 Acts and 250 Decrees DG Enforcement & Mediation = economic and administrative police
(under supervision Minister and Public Prosecutor) Central offices and 7 regional offices 310 officers (200 field officers)
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
3. Market Surveillance in general
Importance of market surveillance and consumer protection for the market economy
The larger market due to globalisation
The importance of international cooperation
The necessary links between public authority, consumers and the economic agents.
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
4. Protection of Consumers’Economic Interests
Amsterdam Treatyhorizontal policy in the EU
Priority for the new government
Nuclear priority : > 15.000 complaints per year
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (1)
The basic legislation >25 laws and 250 Royal Decrees
Trade Practices Act (>40.000 Enquiries/year) Consumer Credit Act (> 1.500 Enquiries/year) Matrimonial Agencies Act Travel Organisation and Intermediation Contract
Act Time Sharing Act ...
Evolution in priorities
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (2)
How do the enforcers take action ?
information prevention - warning procedure repression
administrative settement public prosecutor administrative measures.
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
6. The role of consumer organisations
Advice in individual cases
Injunction procedure for the protection of
consumer interests
Consumer education and information
Deliberation with professional organisations
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
7. Cooperation : Public Authorities and Consumer Organisations (1)
Consumer Organisations’ impact
Constant dialogue with professional organisations:
--> through the Consumption Council >250 balanced opinions on consumer
items
Consumer Information and Education --> time/place on TV and Radio
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
7. Cooperation : Public Authorities and Consumer Organisations (2)
Elaboration of Model Contracts (together with professional organisations), with mediation systems
(--> support from Public Authority)
No direct subsidies from the Public Authorities in order to maintain the independency
The ‘CRIOC’ : study and rechearch center for the Consumer Organisations
--> technical support for C.O. --> training and information for C.O.
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
8. International cooperation
Globalisation of economy European internal market
Bilateral cooperation Protocols FR - UK - LUX - HU Pragmatic NL - DU
Multilateral cooperation International Consumer Protection &
Enforcement Network (ICPEN)
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
9. Latest trends in consumer protection - e-commerce
The dilemma
Surveying the internet
Regulatory Framework :
Trade Practices Act
+ Law on e-commerce Growing number of consumer complaints
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
10. Consumer protection ine-commerce (1)
Circumstances Need for protection against new impostors Special unities with enforcement services
Specific strategy for controlling e-commerce 2 search teams of 6 officers each a search day per week in special internet lab registration of findings, copy of illegal items warning and follow-up, or repression
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (2)
Technology
Specialised research modules
Identification
Registration
Inspection
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
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10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (3)
Findings and results after 3,5 years of exercice
> 3500 Belgian commercial sites examined
1154 breach records -> 529 warning procedures
> 120 repressive actions
Future
sites aimed at the Belgian market
sites responding on Belgian visitors
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
11. Conclusions
Authorities, professional and consumer organisations have all an important role to play
Cross-border consumption --> need for international administrative enforcement cooperation
Welcome the regulation on Consumer Protection Cooperation
Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004
Fernand T.G. VAN GANSBEKE
DG Enforcement & MediationWTC 3 - Office 9-050Boulevard Simon Bolivar 30B- 1000 BRUSSELS
Phone : +32-2.208.39.17Fax : +32-2.208.39.15Email : fernand.vangansbeke@mineco.fgov.beWebsite : www.mineco.fgov.be
FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE ECONOMY, S.M.E.s,
SELFEMPLOYED & ENERGY
Enforcement and Mediation
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