COM(2003)356 - Unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the Internal Market and amending directives 84/450/EEC, 97/7/EC and 98/27/EC (the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive)

Please note

This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.

Contents

  1. Key information
  2. Key dates
  3. Related information
  4. Resulting legislation
  5. Full version
  6. EU Monitor

1.

Key information

official title

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the Internal Market and amending directives 84/450/EEC, 97/7/EC and 98/27/EC (the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive)
 
Legal instrument Directive
Decision making procedure ordinary legislative procedure (COD)
reference by COM-number135 COM(2003)356 EN
Additional COM-numbers SEC(2003)724; COM(2004)753; COM(2005)96
procedure number137 2003/0134(COD)
CELEX number138 52003PC0356

2.

Key dates

Document 18-06-2003
Online publication 18-06-2003
Decision 11-05-2005; Richtlijn 2005/29
Publication in Official Journal139 11-06-2005; Special edition in Croatian: Chapter 15 Volume 008,Special edition in Romanian: Chapter 15 Volume 014,OJ L 149, 11.6.2005,Special edition in Bulgarian: Chapter 15 Volume 014

3.

Related information

4.

Resulting legislation

 

5.

Full version

This page is also available in a full version containing the latest state of affairs, the summary of the European Parliament Legislative Observatory, the legal basis, the legal context, other dossiers related to the dossier at hand, the stakeholders involved (e.g. European Commission directorates-general, European Parliament committees, Council configurations and even individual EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament) and finally documents of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

The full version is available for registered users of the EU Monitor by ANP and PDC Informatie Architectuur.

6.

EU Monitor

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  • 1. 
    COM (2001) 531 final

     
  • 2. 
    See The Green Paper on EU Consumer Protection, COM (2001) 531 final, the Follow-up communication to the Green Paper, COM (2002) 289 final, responses to consultations and studies available at:

     
  • 3. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 4. 
    COM (2002) 289 final

     
  • 5. 
    Responses to the follow-up communication can be found at:

     
  • 6. 
    Insert details of report location on website when available

     
  • 7. 
    www.zew.de/erfstudyresults/

     
  • 8. 
    Economic Reform: report on the functioning of Community product and capital markets COM (2002) 743 final

     
  • 9. 
    COM (2001) 736 final

     
  • 10. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002

     
  • 11. 
    europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/ flash/fl131_en.pdf

     
  • 12. 
    See the Extended Impact Assessment for a discussion of the sources of evidence used. GFA study available at europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/ cons_int/safe_shop/fair_bus_pract/index_en.htm.

     
  • 13. 
    Eurobarometer 58.1 Financial Services

     
  • 14. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002

     
  • 15. 
    Ibid. 68% of respondents cited lower consumer protection standards as a very or fairly important factor. Base in each case: consumers who are less confident buying from another EU country than from their own country

     
  • 16. 
    1984/450/EC as last amended by 1997/55/EC

     
  • 17. 
    For further information see Extended Impact Assessment published with this proposal, section 1.4

     
  • 18. 
    Ibid.

     
  • 19. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002. See also Extended Impact Assessment, section 1.3

     
  • 20. 
    europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/ cons_int/safe/_shop/fair/bus/pract/green/pap/comm/responses/ followup/business_europe/emota.pdf

     
  • 21. 
    europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/ cons_int/safe_shop/fair_bus_pract/green_pap_comm/responses_ followup/business_europe/easa.pdf

     
  • 22. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002.

     
  • 23. 
    Findings of quantitative survey in Eurobarometer 57.2.

     
  • 24. 
    Eg Télefonica, Pernod Ricard, PartyLite, Nuskin, Nature's Own, Mary Kay, Herbalife, GNLD, Amway, Swedish Marketing Federation, BEUC, UK National Consumer Council and Consumers' Association, Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv)

     
  • 25. 
    Further information on alternative approaches which were considered and rejected is contained in the Extended Impact Assessment published with this proposal.

     
  • 26. 
    Eg Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25.05.1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (OJ L 299 of 12.12.1995, pp 11-12); Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, of 20.05.97, on the protection of consumers in respect of distant contracts. (JO L 144 of 04.6.1997, pp. 19-28); Council directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (OJ L 95 of 21.04.1993, pp. 29-34); Council directive 85/577/EEC of 20.12.1985 to protect consumer in respect of contracts negotiated away from business premises - door to door selling (OJ L 372 of 31.12.1985, pp. 31-33)

     
  • 27. 
    See eg Case C-315/92, Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb eV v. Clinique Labatories SNC and Estée Lauder Cosmetics GmbH (1994) ECR I-317; Case C-210/96, Gut Springheide GmbH v. Oberkreisdirektor des Kreises Steinfurt (1998) ECR I-4657

     
  • 28. 
    Directive 84/450/EEC (OJ L 250, 19.9.1984) as amended by Directive 97/55/EC

     
  • 29. 
    Council Directive 87/102/EEC of 22 December 1986 for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning consumer credit and subsequent amendments. (OJ No. L 278, 11/10/1988, p. 33)

     
  • 30. 
    Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market. (OJ L 178, 17/07/2000, pp.1-16)

     
  • 31. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 32. 
    For instance Article 11 of Directive 97/7/EC

     
  • 33. 
    Ante

     
  • 34. 
    Article 10 of Directive 90/314/EEC, Article 11(1) of Directive 97/7/EC, Article 8 of Directive 98/6/EC, and Article 31 of the Consumer credit Proposal

     
  • 35. 
    Article 16 of Directive 97/7/EC, Article 7 of Directive 98/6/EC and Article 9 of Directive 1999/44/EC

     
  • 36. 
    OJ L
     
  • 37. 
    OJ C
     
  • 38. 
    OJ C
     
  • 39. 
    See The Green Paper on EU Consumer Protection, COM (2001) 531 final, the Follow-up communication to the Green Paper, COM (2002) 289 final, responses to consultations and studies available at:

     
  • 40. 
    'The follow-up to the Green Paper on Commercial Communications in the Internal Market' Communication from the Commission. COM(1998) 121 final 4.03.1998.

     
  • 41. 
    OJ No. L 250, 19.9.1984, page 17

     
  • 42. 
    OJ No. L 290, 23.10.1997, page 18

     
  • 43. 
    OJ No. L 166, 11.6.1998, page 51

     
  • 44. 
    OJ No L 144, 4.6.1997, page 19.

     
  • 45. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 46. 
    COM (2002) 289 final

     
  • 47. 
    COM (2001) 531 final

     
  • 48. 
    COM (2001) 531 final

     
  • 49. 
    Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 october 1989 on the co-ordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, in OJ L298 of 17.10.1989, p.23, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC.

     
  • 50. 
    OJ L 144, 4.6.1997, page 19

     
  • 51. 
    OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, page 59

     
  • 52. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 53. 
    OJ L 280, 29.10.1994, page 83

     
  • 54. 
    COM (2002) 289 final

     
  • 55. 
    OJ L 80, 18.3.1998, page 27

     
  • 56. 
    OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, page 67

     
  • 57. 
    OJ L 178, 17.7.2000, page 1

     
  • 58. 
    COM(2002) 443 final

     
  • 59. 
    OJ L 42, 12 .2.1987, page 48

     
  • 60. 
    OJ L 61, 10.3.1990, page 14

     
  • 61. 
    OJ L 101, 1.4.1998, page 17

     
  • 62. 
    OJ L 271, 9.1.2002, pages 16-24

     
  • 63. 
    OJ L 41, 13.2.2002, pp. 20-34

     
  • 64. 
    OJ L.9, 15.1.2003, p. 3

     
  • 65. 
    OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, pp.1-51

     
  • 66. 
    OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, pp. 1-23

     
  • 67. 
    For further information, see separate explanatory note.

     
  • 68. 
    COM (2001) 531 final

     
  • 69. 
    See The Green Paper on EU Consumer Protection, COM (2001) 531 final, the Follow-up communication to the Green Paper, COM (2002) 289 final, responses to consultations and studies available at:

     
  • 70. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 71. 
    COM (2002) 289 final

     
  • 72. 
    Responses to the follow-up communication can be found at:

     
  • 73. 
    Insert details of report location on website when available

     
  • 74. 
    www.zew.de/erfstudyresults/

     
  • 75. 
    Economic Reform: report on the functioning of Community product and capital markets COM (2002) 743 final

     
  • 76. 
    COM (2001) 736 final

     
  • 77. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002

     
  • 78. 
    europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/ flash/fl131_en.pdf

     
  • 79. 
    See the Extended Impact Assessment for a discussion of the sources of evidence used. GFA study available at europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/ cons_int/safe_shop/fair_bus_pract/index_en.htm.

     
  • 80. 
    Eurobarometer 58.1 Financial Services

     
  • 81. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002

     
  • 82. 
    Ibid. 68% of respondents cited lower consumer protection standards as a very or fairly important factor. Base in each case: consumers who are less confident buying from another EU country than from their own country

     
  • 83. 
    1984/450/EC as last amended by 1997/55/EC

     
  • 84. 
    For further information see Extended Impact Assessment published with this proposal, section 1.4

     
  • 85. 
    Ibid.

     
  • 86. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002. See also Extended Impact Assessment, section 1.3

     
  • 87. 
    europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/ cons_int/safe/_shop/fair/bus/pract/green/pap/comm/responses/ followup/business_europe/emota.pdf

     
  • 88. 
    europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/ cons_int/safe_shop/fair_bus_pract/green_pap_comm/responses_ followup/business_europe/easa.pdf

     
  • 89. 
    Eurobarometer 57.2 and Flash Eurobarometer 128: Public opinion in Europe: Views on business-to-consumer cross-border trade, 14 November 2002.

     
  • 90. 
    Findings of quantitative survey in Eurobarometer 57.2.

     
  • 91. 
    Eg Télefonica, Pernod Ricard, PartyLite, Nuskin, Nature's Own, Mary Kay, Herbalife, GNLD, Amway, Swedish Marketing Federation, BEUC, UK National Consumer Council and Consumers' Association, Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv)

     
  • 92. 
    Further information on alternative approaches which were considered and rejected is contained in the Extended Impact Assessment published with this proposal.

     
  • 93. 
    Eg Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25.05.1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (OJ L 299 of 12.12.1995, pp 11-12); Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, of 20.05.97, on the protection of consumers in respect of distant contracts. (JO L 144 of 04.6.1997, pp. 19-28); Council directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (OJ L 95 of 21.04.1993, pp. 29-34); Council directive 85/577/EEC of 20.12.1985 to protect consumer in respect of contracts negotiated away from business premises - door to door selling (OJ L 372 of 31.12.1985, pp. 31-33)

     
  • 94. 
    See eg Case C-315/92, Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb eV v. Clinique Labatories SNC and Estée Lauder Cosmetics GmbH (1994) ECR I-317; Case C-210/96, Gut Springheide GmbH v. Oberkreisdirektor des Kreises Steinfurt (1998) ECR I-4657

     
  • 95. 
    Directive 84/450/EEC (OJ L 250, 19.9.1984) as amended by Directive 97/55/EC

     
  • 96. 
    Council Directive 87/102/EEC of 22 December 1986 for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning consumer credit and subsequent amendments. (OJ No. L 278, 11/10/1988, p. 33)

     
  • 97. 
    Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market. (OJ L 178, 17/07/2000, pp.1-16)

     
  • 98. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 99. 
    For instance Article 11 of Directive 97/7/EC

     
  • 100. 
    Ante

     
  • 101. 
    Article 10 of Directive 90/314/EEC, Article 11(1) of Directive 97/7/EC, Article 8 of Directive 98/6/EC, and Article 31 of the Consumer credit Proposal

     
  • 102. 
    Article 16 of Directive 97/7/EC, Article 7 of Directive 98/6/EC and Article 9 of Directive 1999/44/EC

     
  • 103. 
    OJ L
     
  • 104. 
    OJ C
     
  • 105. 
    OJ C
     
  • 106. 
    See The Green Paper on EU Consumer Protection, COM (2001) 531 final, the Follow-up communication to the Green Paper, COM (2002) 289 final, responses to consultations and studies available at:

     
  • 107. 
    'The follow-up to the Green Paper on Commercial Communications in the Internal Market' Communication from the Commission. COM(1998) 121 final 4.03.1998.

     
  • 108. 
    OJ No. L 250, 19.9.1984, page 17

     
  • 109. 
    OJ No. L 290, 23.10.1997, page 18

     
  • 110. 
    OJ No. L 166, 11.6.1998, page 51

     
  • 111. 
    OJ No L 144, 4.6.1997, page 19.

     
  • 112. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 113. 
    COM (2002) 289 final

     
  • 114. 
    COM (2001) 531 final

     
  • 115. 
    COM (2001) 531 final

     
  • 116. 
    Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 october 1989 on the co-ordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, in OJ L298 of 17.10.1989, p.23, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC.

     
  • 117. 
    OJ L 144, 4.6.1997, page 19

     
  • 118. 
    OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, page 59

     
  • 119. 
    Internal Market, Tourism and Consumer Council, 1 March 2002, see 6503/02 (Presse 41)

     
  • 120. 
    OJ L 280, 29.10.1994, page 83

     
  • 121. 
    COM (2002) 289 final

     
  • 122. 
    OJ L 80, 18.3.1998, page 27

     
  • 123. 
    OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, page 67

     
  • 124. 
    OJ L 178, 17.7.2000, page 1

     
  • 125. 
    COM(2002) 443 final

     
  • 126. 
    OJ L 42, 12 .2.1987, page 48

     
  • 127. 
    OJ L 61, 10.3.1990, page 14

     
  • 128. 
    OJ L 101, 1.4.1998, page 17

     
  • 129. 
    OJ L 271, 9.1.2002, pages 16-24

     
  • 130. 
    OJ L 41, 13.2.2002, pp. 20-34

     
  • 131. 
    OJ L.9, 15.1.2003, p. 3

     
  • 132. 
    OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, pp.1-51

     
  • 133. 
    OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, pp. 1-23

     
  • 134. 
    For further information, see separate explanatory note.

     
  • 135. 
    De Europese Commissie kent nummers toe aan officiële documenten van de Europese Unie. De Commissie maakt onderscheid in een aantal typen documenten door middel van het toekennen van verschillende nummerseries. Het onderscheid is gebaseerd op het soort document en/of de instelling van de Unie van wie het document afkomstig is.
     
  • 136. 
    De Raad van de Europese Unie kent aan wetgevingsdossiers een uniek toe. Dit nummer bestaat uit een vijfcijferig volgnummer gevolgd door een schuine streep met de laatste twee cijfers van het jaartal, bijvoorbeeld 12345/00 - een document met nummer 12345 uit het jaar 2000.
     
  • 137. 
    Het interinstitutionele nummer is een nummerreeks die binnen de Europese Unie toegekend wordt aan voorstellen voor regelgeving van de Europese Commissie.
    Binnen de Europese Unie worden nog een aantal andere nummerseries gebruikt. Iedere instelling heeft één of meerdere sets documenten met ieder een eigen nummering. Die reeksen komen niet overeen met elkaar of het interinstitutioneel nummer.
     
  • 138. 
    Deze databank van de Europese Unie biedt de mogelijkheid de actuele werkzaamheden (workflow) van de Europese instellingen (Europees Parlement, Raad, ESC, Comité van de Regio's, Europese Centrale Bank, Hof van Justitie enz.) te volgen. EURlex volgt alle voorstellen (zoals wetgevende en begrotingsdossiers) en mededelingen van de Commissie, vanaf het moment dat ze aan de Raad of het Europees Parlement worden voorgelegd.
     
  • 139. 
    Als dag van bekendmaking van een Europees besluit geldt de dag waarop het besluit in het Publicatieblad wordt bekendgemaakt, en daardoor in alle officiële talen van de Europese Unie bij het Publicatiebureau beschikbaar is.
     
  • 140. 
    This legally binding act of the European Union establishes a set of objectives which all member states of the European Union must fulfil. The member states are required to implement directives. The member states are free to choose the manner they see fit to fulfil the required objectives.