Fernand Van Gansbeke DG Enforcement and Mediation Belgium Enforcing Consumer Protection Legislation The Belgian Experience

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


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)


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.


4. Protection of Consumers’Economic Interests

Amsterdam Treatyhorizontal policy in the EU

Priority for the new government

Nuclear priority : > 15.000 complaints per year


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


5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (2)

How do the enforcers take action ?

information prevention - warning procedure repression

administrative settement public prosecutor administrative measures.


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


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


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.


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)


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


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


10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (2)

Technology

Specialised research modules

Identification

Registration

Inspection














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


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


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 : [email protected] : www.mineco.fgov.be

FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE ECONOMY, S.M.E.s,

SELFEMPLOYED & ENERGY

Enforcement and Mediation

Documents

Fernand Van Gansbeke DG Enforcement and Mediation Belgium Enforcing Consumer Protection Legislation The Belgian Experience