Translation of "défense du consommateur " (French → English) :

Given that the Commission funds consumer associations directly, can it show that these are really representative?

On the web page of the DG for Health and Consumer Protection it is stated that EUR 1.4 m in aid is granted annually to European consumer association.

In fact, if it were possible to amend the Charter, if it were admitted that the Charter does not provide for duties and does not provide fully for rights, things would be easier: the Charter does not go far enough in protecting the natural family or safeguarding children; it disregards the need for rules to regulate every new global information technology; it discriminates between private and public education; with regard to safeguarding the environment, it disregards the protection of health and animal rights; it is too general with regard to consumer protection and leaves the door open to the marketing of extremely harmful foodstuf ...[+++]fs.

However, when we look at the difficulties which have arisen with regard to this report, when we look at the disparate views – the so-called purists on behalf of the consumers or the other so-called purists on behalf of business and e-commerce – we sometimes forget that a lot of small- and medium-sized enterprises are consumers themselves, who will be trading with larger companies or larger suppliers and who deserve the same protection that I, “as an individual” or anybody else, as an individual consumer, would have.

This amendment provides the means to create this balance and fairness, and let me say to honourable senators that the following are the consumer groups across this country who support the initiative: the British Columbia Public Interest Centre, the Public Interest Law Centre, the National Anti-Poverty Organization, Canadian Labour Congress, Action Réseau Consommateur, Canadian Library Association, the Manitoba branch of the Consumers Association of Canada, the Communications Workers Union, Rural Dignity of Canada, l'Association coopérative d'économie familiale, and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.

The forthcoming revision of the Maastricht Treaty should be used to incorporate some basic provisions needed to improve consumer protection and promote their participation and representation at all levels of decision- making: - a revision of the wording of Article 129a to recognize an integrated common consumer policy; - a clear listing of consumer's rights; - mutual recognition of consumer organizations as parties to consumer class actions; - the introduction of a special new appeal procedure for final decisions on the correct application of the subsidiarity principle.