EU: Budget For Consumer Policy

Following an initiative by Emma Bonino, Commissioner for Consumer Policy, the European Commission has decided to propose the creation of a legal framework for the financing of Community activities under consumer policy. This framework has a budgetary allocation of ECU 114 million for five years (1999-2003). The Bonino proposal will focus on four priority areas:

• health and safety of consumers, especially in respect of products and services
• protection of the economic interests of consumers, particularly concerning international transactions, advertising and settlement of disputes
• education and information of consumers as to their protection and rights
• promotion, strengthening and development of the representation of consumers’ interests to assist the EU in the conception of respective policies.