50 organizations join forces to boost EU consumer rights

More than 50 civil society organizations have joined forces in a bid to boost customer rights across the EU. The alliance has created the ‘better regulation watchdog’ – a network to protect citizens’, workers’ and consumers’ rights.

It was launched on Monday (18 May) in Brussels, one day ahead of the expected announcement of the European Commission’s so-called ‘Better Regulation’ reforms.

The network, comprising organizations from around Europe, says it is concerned that the ‘Better Regulation’ agenda "aims to weaken or undermine essential regulations and subordinate the public good to corporate interests."

The creation of the network is a response to the Commission’s attempts to remove what it deems regulatory burdens under the ‘Better Regulation’ initiative.

Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans is expected to unveil a package of measures in support of this initiative on Tuesday.

The network comprises a wide range of public interest groups including consumer, environmental, development, financial, social, and public health organisations and trade unions, and represents tens of millions of European citizens.

The members are united by a desire to build an inclusive and competitive Europe founded on economic, social and environmental sustainability.

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A spokesman for the network says it will examine actions taken under the Better Regulation initiative to identify possible risks to existing and future social, labour, environmental, consumer, financial regulation and public health standards.

"It will then inform civil society, media and decision makers of these risks by organising public debates, promoting research, and through joint campaigning and advocacy work," he said.

Further comment came from Monique Goyens of BEUC, the European Consumer Organization, who said: "We observe a lack of willingness from the new European Commission to take the measures necessary to protect consumers from unhealthy food, dangerous chemicals in consumer products or to provide for better labelling.

"Several initiatives have been delayed or are not being pursued anymore. The Better Regulation Watchdog network which unites civil society interest groups from various sectors is a clear signal to the European Commission not to jeopardise legislation protecting public interests."

Elsewhere, Christophe Nijdam, secretary general of Finance Watch, said: “Growth and jobs need financial stability. The completion of a solid regulatory framework for the financial sector is one of the "big things" that Europe should focus on. As a member of this network we will watch the outputs of the Better Regulation initiative closely.”

His comments are echoed by is HisMagda Stoczkiewicz, director of Friends of the Earth Europe, who said: “What the European Commission presents as a ‘better regulation’ agenda is in reality all about deregulation. In response to strong business lobbying, the Commission is planning to weaken, delay and scrap environmental standards.”

Further comment came from Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa, who said: “The idea to create the Better Regulation Watchdog was formed in a conversation between a small group of people. Now we are over 50 organisations! Together we will share intel, watch the Commission, and united react to safeguard the interests of workers, civil society and consumers.”

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