PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

Europaudvalget 2000-01
EUU Alm.del Bilag 1214
Offentligt

Modtaget via elektronisk post. Der tages forbehold for evt. fejl

Europaudvalget

(Alm. del - bilag 1214)

forbrugerministerråd

(Offentligt)

Medlemmerne af Folketingets Europaudvalg

og deres stedfortrædere

Bilag

Journalnummer

400.C.2-0

Kontor

EU-sekr.

17. maj 2001

Til underretning for Folketingets Europaudvalg vedlægges formandskabets opsummering af det uformelle

forbrugerministermøde i Lund den 27.-28. april 2001.

Brussels, 11 May 2001

Ulrika Ihrfelt

Tel 02 289 5639

Kenneth Nordlander

Tel 02 289 58 14

Magnus Rydén

Tel 02 289 5728

Presidency

Summary

from the

informal

Internal

Market and

Consumer

minister

meeting in

Lund 27-28

April

Dear colleagues,

Please find enclosed the Presidency summary of the discussions taken place at the Informal Meeting between

Ministers responsible for the Internal Market and Consumer Affairs in Lund 27-28 April.

Best regards,

Ulrika Ihrfelt Kenneth Nordlander Magnus Rydén

Legal Counsellor Legal Counsellor Counsellor

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

8 May 2001

Informal meeting between ministers responsible for the

Internal Market and Consumer Affairs in Lund 27-28 April

2001

Introduction

Ministry of Justice

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

On April 27-28, the ministers for the internal market and

consumer affairs, convened in the City of Lund to discuss

consumer interests in the internal market. It was the first time in

the history of the Union that these two policy areas met to

jointly discuss, in an informal manner, topics of mutual

interests. The Swedish presidency would like to thank all

Member States, the Commission and the representatives of the

EEA countries for the fruitful discussions and the truly

informal atm osphere during these two intensive days in Lund.

The presidency feels that many interesting ideas were mooted. The Presidency sums up the outcome of the

meeting as follows.

Consumer interests in the internal market

The overall theme of the meeting was consumer interests in the internal market. During the first session of the

meeting issues were discussed from a more general political aspect. It was stressed by several delegations that

we must all comply with the wording of Article 153 of the Treaty, which inter alia provides that consumer

protection requirements shall be taken into account in defining and implementing other Community policies

and activities. Impact assessment analyses and more r egular follow-ups were mentioned as possible tools in

this context.

It was acknowledged that there is not necessarily a contradiction between business and consumer interests on

the internal market, nor between economic development and consumer needs. On the contrary, they are

mutually supportive.

Further, the need and importance of combining consumer protection and the functioning of the internal

market in order to achieve increased and better competition, and hence lower prices for the consumers, was

clearly indicated.

It was stressed that, in order to boost consumer confidence, the consumers' position must be strengthened and

their influence become more concrete. The stakeholders concerned must be given increased opportunities to

participate in the regulatory process. Another important step, which the Commission as well as several

delegations pointed out, is to ensure a more effective implementation of Community Directives. This would

lead to a higher degree of legal certainty in the internal market.

The general discussion during the first session was followed up by a session, which addressed more practical

aspects of consumer interests in the internal market.

Price surveys and parallel import

Delegations expressed a very positive attitude towards price studies. It was agreed that these are a useful

instrument for measuring the functioning of the internal market and for showing European consumers that

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

there are economic gains to be made by taking advantage of the vast opportunities which the internal market

offers.

Several Member States recognized the need to make use of the knowledge we have acquired and, as a

complement to price studies, to carry out an analysis of the results in order to identify the underlying reasons

for existing differences.

Member States also welcomed the joint UK/Swedish international price comparison study on branded goods,

which provides valuable information about the extent of existing price differences between EU member states

and the US. The study demonstrates the scale of potential benefits to EU consumers if retailers were free to

get their products from the cheapest source.

Many Member States also recognized that one reason for high prices within the EU is the barrier to parallel

imports from third countries, and that further evaluation of this issue should be carried out in the Council. The

Swedish presidency and the incoming Belgian presidency will discuss ways of carrying this issue forward. At

the meeting, the Belgian delegation expressed its intention to continue to focus on the matter.

New forms of regulation and good market behaviour

The discussion concerned the possible need for new forms of regulation concerning good market behaviour. A

letter from Commissioner David Byrne on the subject had been distributed beforehand.

Considering the fast development of the market, it was generally agreed that a new and more flexible method

for regulation, including a general legal framework, should be further examined. The purpose should be to

achieve more complete consumer protection on a high level and to avoid further fragmentation of market

regulations as well as to remove existing barriers to trade. The overriding aim would be to improve the

situation for consumers and to help reinforce consumer trust, as well as to create a "level playing field" for

business.

It was emphasized that the traditional way of regulating through detailed vertical directives is time consuming

and often tends to target the problems of yesterday's market. The importance of regarding new forms of

regulation as a complement to traditional legislation was stressed in this context.

As a complement to a legal framework, self-regulation and ‘co-regulation’- where the stakeholders concerned

participate in the regulatory process together with public authorities - were discussed. The need to safeguard

the interest of legal certainty was strongly emphasized. The necessity to define the notion "fairness" as well as

the need for a well functioning enforcement process were mentioned.

The coming green paper from the Commission on these issues was generally welcomed.

The Belgian delegation expressed its interest in this topic for its coming presidency. The Swedish presidency

stated that it intended to get back to the issue at the Council meeting in May.

Consumer confidence in goods and services, administrative issues

Partly linked to the discussion about new forms of regulation, some Member States put forward the

importance of effective market surveillance and control as well as a clear division of responsibilities between

the national, regional and EU levels.

In order to improve the follow-up of how consumer legislation is carried out in practice, an exchange of

experiences and best practices was generally welcomed by several delegations.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The issue of food safety was mentioned as one of the most important examples where the need for consumer

confidence is a prerequisite for a functional internal market and many Member States stressed the importance

of a successful completion of the work in the Council on this issue.

On the first day of the meeting a statement prepared by consumer organisations participating in the seminar

"Voice of the European Consumer 2001" was presented to the ministers. The statement is available on the

Presidency web site www.eu2001.se