Transcript Consumer Sales directive

Workshop on flagship
on durable goods
▸ Ursula Pachl and
▸ Angeliki Malizou
General Assembly
Place : Brussels
Date : 15 November 2013
Background
Consumers have difficulties in enforcing their legal guarantee
rights. These rights play an essential role in promoting
sustainable consumption.
Durability of products (such as household appliances,
communications devices, cars) is an important element of
sustainable consumption.
Objectives
a. Have the means to use the guarantee rights successfully –
reversal of the burden of proof
b. Longer guarantee period
c.
Fight planned obsolescence
d. Stop unfair business practices regarding the enforcement of
guarantee rights
e. Availability of spare parts
Context within BEUC work
programme
This flagship falls straight into our priorities on
1)consumer rights and redress and
2)sustainability
…. in line with our 2020 vision paper
Strategy
Legislative initiatives:
•
Review of the 1999 directive on consumer sales –
to achieve objective a), b), c) and d)
•
Review of the Ecodesign and the energy labelling directive
to achieve objectives b), c) and d)
Consumer Sales Directive
•
Consumer Sales directive (1999/44/EC) sets a minimum
mandatory standard of consumer rights regarding legal
guarantees ( and commercial guarantees):
Main elements:
•
2 year guarantee period
•
6 months of reversal of the burden of proof for the lack of
conformity
Ecodesign & Energy Labelling
Directive
•
Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) aims at setting
requirements on the significant environmental aspects of
energy-using and energy-related products.
•
Energy Labelling Directive (2010/30/EU) informs
consumers about the consumption of energy and other
resources by energy-related products. It aims at helping
consumers choose products which save energy and provides
incentives for the industry to develop and invest in energy
efficient product design.
Strategy (suite)
Non –legislative initiatives :
•
Enforcement actions
•
Awareness raising
•
Business best practices
•
Sustainability: High Level Platform on Resource efficiency etc
Strategy (suite)
Research is needed:
•Current problems with the use of guarantee rights
•How to dismantle planned obsolescence
National level activities
•
Better application /enforcement of guarantee rights
•
Sustainability aspects of guarantee rights
•
Obsolescence, spare parts, reparability
What Communication Tools?
Examples of practical aids to supplement conventional press action.
A Media Kit for members which could contain:
Messaging Advice; Facts & Figures; Stock Phrases
Factsheet
High-profile Brand Example List detailing Product; Lifespan; Typical
Cost e.g. Apple iPads, washing machines, laptops etc.
BEUC press release archive
Statistics synopsis
For use with external stakeholders:
Dedicated mini-website very ‘lay-user’ friendly upload cases etc.
Gimmick for MEPs – e.g. a backwards ticking clock with
obsolescence/sustainability message on rear
Academic study or related materials
Timeline
Some elements
Research - as soon as possible
EU legislation:
•
•
•
•
Hearing of new Commissioners in September 2014
Work programme of new EP Committees
(Preparation of ) Revision of ecodesign and energy labelling
directives
Continuation of Revision of the consumer acquis ?
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