Fernand Van Gansbeke DG Enforcement and Mediation Belgium

Fernand Van GansbekeDG Enforcement and MediationBelgium Enforcing Consumer Protection Legislation The Belgian Experience

1. Introduction • Belgium : federal state - Kingdom • 10,1 mio inhabitants (91 % Belgians) • 3 languages (61 % Dutch - 38 % French - <1% German) • 3 federate states (Flanders - Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region) • 10 provinces + Brussels Capital Region • 26 judicial districts • 589 municipalities Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

2. DG Enforcement & MediationOrganisation • Market Surveillance : a federal matter • DG Enforcement & Mediation (part of the F.P.S. Economy) • > 35 Acts and 250 Decrees • DG Enforcement & Mediation = economic and administrative police (under supervision Minister and Public Prosecutor) • Central offices and 7 regional offices • 310 officers (200 field officers) Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

3. Market Surveillance in general • Importance of market surveillance and consumer protection for the market economy • The larger market due to globalisation • The importance of international cooperation • The necessary links between public authority, consumers and the economic agents. Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

4. Protection of Consumers’Economic Interests • Amsterdam Treatyhorizontal policy in the EU • Priority for the new government • Nuclear priority : > 15.000 complaints per year Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (1) • The basic legislation • >25 laws and 250 Royal Decrees • Trade Practices Act (>40.000 Enquiries/year) • Consumer Credit Act (> 1.500 Enquiries/year) • Matrimonial Agencies Act • Travel Organisation and Intermediation Contract Act • Time Sharing Act • ... • Evolution in priorities Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

5. DG Enforcement & Mediation Role (2) • How do the enforcers take action ? • information • prevention - warning procedure • repression • administrative settement • public prosecutor • administrative measures. Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

6. The role of consumer organisations • Advice in individual cases • Injunction procedure for the protection of consumer interests • Consumer education and information • Deliberation with professional organisations Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

7. Cooperation : Public Authorities and Consumer Organisations (1) • Consumer Organisations’ impact • Constant dialogue with professional organisations: --> through the Consumption Council >250 balanced opinions on consumer items • Consumer Information and Education --> time/place on TV and Radio Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

7. Cooperation : Public Authorities and Consumer Organisations (2) • Elaboration of Model Contracts (together with professional organisations), with mediation systems (--> support from Public Authority) • No direct subsidies from the Public Authorities in order to maintain the independency • The ‘CRIOC’ : study and rechearch center for the Consumer Organisations --> technical support for C.O. --> training and information for C.O. Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

8. International cooperation • Globalisation of economy • European internal market • Bilateral cooperation • Protocols FR - UK - LUX - HU • Pragmatic NL - DU • Multilateral cooperation • International Consumer Protection & Enforcement Network (ICPEN) Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

9. Latest trends in consumer protection - e-commerce • The dilemma • Surveying the internet • Regulatory Framework :Trade Practices Act + Law on e-commerce • Growing number of consumer complaints Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

10. Consumer protection ine-commerce (1) • Circumstances • Need for protection against new impostors • Special unities with enforcement services • Specific strategy for controlling e-commerce • 2 search teams of 6 officers each • a search day per week in special internet lab • registration of findings, copy of illegal items • warning and follow-up, or repression Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (2) • Technology • Specialised research modules • Identification • Registration • Inspection Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

10. Consumer Protection in e-commerce (3) • Findings and results after 3,5 years of exercice • > 3500 Belgian commercial sites examined • 1154 breach records -> 529 warning procedures • > 120 repressive actions • Future • sites aimed at the Belgian market • sites responding on Belgian visitors Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

11. Conclusions • Authorities, professional and consumer organisations have all an important role to play • Cross-border consumption --> need for international administrative enforcement cooperation • Welcome the regulation on Consumer Protection Cooperation Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

Fernand T.G. VAN GANSBEKEDG Enforcement & MediationWTC 3 - Office 9-050Boulevard Simon Bolivar 30B- 1000 BRUSSELSPhone : +32-2.208.39.17Fax : +32-2.208.39.15Email : fernand.vangansbeke@mineco.fgov.beWebsite : www.mineco.fgov.be Thessaloniki (Greece) - 22 - 24 November 2004

Fernand Van Gansbeke DG Enforcement and Mediation Belgium