ECC Moldova: EU consumer protection rules must work in practice

ECC Moldova: to protect consumers, it is important to ensure that EU mechanisms work in practice

The European Consumer Centre in Moldova (ECC Moldova) has presented two analytical papers on the application of European Union standards in the field of consumer protection.

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The focus is not only on further harmonisation of legislation, but also on the effectiveness of mechanisms for handling complaints and disputes, inter-agency cooperation and citizens’ access to remedies.

The key question is how well the established mechanisms are working

The documents were presented on 23 September as part of the project ‘Strengthening Consumer Protection through Peaceful Settlement and Advocacy’, supported by the Soros Foundation in Moldova.

The discussion took place in the context of fulfilling obligations under Chapter 28, ‘Consumer and Health Protection’.

ECC Moldova presented an analysis of the European Commission’s recommendations on the application of the EU acquis in the field of consumer protection, as well as an alternative report on the application of the EU acquis in the field of consumer protection in Moldova. Both documents have been sent to state bodies for consultation and further analysis.

According to ECC Moldova’s Director, Mihaela Pascal, the next stage should involve not only continuing legislative alignment with the EU, but also assessing how the mechanisms already in place work in practice – in particular, when dealing with complaints and disputes and ensuring consumers’ access to remedies.

“Ultimately, what matters to consumers is not so much the number of existing mechanisms, but whether they actually help to resolve their problems and provide the same level of protection as in the European Union,” noted Mihaela Pascal.

ECC Moldova hopes that the documents presented will facilitate dialogue between government bodies and civil society on the application of European standards and the further improvement of the consumer protection system in Moldova.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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