Promoting the interests of consumers and
ensuring a high level of consumer protection
and product safety
About
The general objective of the programme is to ensure a high level of consumer protection through the empowerment of European consumers. Consumers are placed at the heart of the internal market, in the frame of the EU strategy for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
More specifically, the regulation on the current programme sets four principal objectives:
Through effective market surveillance throughout the Union.
This objective will be measured in particular through the activity and effectiveness of the EU rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products (RAPEX).
To improve consumers’ education, information and awareness of their rights, to develop the evidence base for consumer policy and to provide support to consumer organisations, including taking into account the specific needs of vulnerable consumers.
In particular through smart regulatory action and improving access to simple, efficient, expedient and low-cost redress including alternative dispute resolution.
This objective will be measured in particular through the recourse to alternative dispute resolution to solve cross- border disputes and through the activity of a Union-wide online dispute resolution system, and by the percentage of consumers taking action in response to a problem encountered.
By strengthening cooperation between national enforcement bodies and by supporting consumers with advice.
This objective will be measured in particular through the level of information flow and the effectiveness of the cooperation within the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, the activity of the European Consumer Centres and how well known they are to consumers.
High-quality consumer information and participation is a cross-sectoral priority and, therefore, shall be expressly provided for, whenever possible, in all sectoral objectives and actions financed under the Programme
Funding opportunities
The Consumer Programme is the financial instrument of the EU consumer policy.
Types of funding schemes
- Grants
- Procurement
Who can participate?
Government entities, Public bodies and Consumer organisations at national and EU-level.
National authorities and consumer organisations are the direct beneficiaries of the programme and the EU consumers are the ultimate target group of the actions undertaken.
EU consumers will benefit from having at their disposal better consumer organisations, access to advice from the European Consumers Centres and enforcement actions carried over by the national authorities.