EU: MEPs Back Amendment

Shoppers who buy goods in a Member State other than their own and who later discover the goods are defective should be able to seek redress in their country of residence, according to an amendment narrowly adopted (by 14 votes to 11) by the European Parliament’s Consumer Protection Committee. The amendment to the Committee’s Consumer Guarantee Report on foreign purchases reads: “In the case of goods sold in several Member States an instruction leaflet enclosed by the manufacturer with the goods shall list at least one address in each of the Member States concerned which consumers may notify of a lack of contractual conformity. At this address consumers shall be provided with due assistance in asserting their claims.” The Committee’s report is now due to be considered by the full Parliament during its March Strasbourg Session.