08/11/2023 14:28
Consumer protection, consumers' rights and obligations and how these are safeguarded through legislation in an period of great challenges due to digitalization and the green transition were the focus of a Consumer Dialogue event on Wednesday, at the EU House in Nicosia, titled "New Consumer Agenda -Challenges ahead".
The event was addressed by the deputy head of the European Commission representation in Cyprus Nikolaos Isaris, the Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, through a video message, and the Minister of Energy Yiorgos Papanastasiou.
The speeches were followed by two round table discussions focusing on the digital age and the green transition with the participation of ministry officials, associations, industrialists etc. Both panels were attended by the Director General of the Directorate of Justice and Consumers, Isabelle Perignon.
In his greeting, the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Yiorgos Papanastasiou said that especially today, strengthening the interests of consumers becomes even more imperative, adding that the new consumer agenda, which is the EU's comprehensive strategic framework for consumers in the period 2020-2025, is particularly successful and well-targeted.
The Minister said that the authorities in Cyprus are focused on boosting confidence among consumers, which in turn is expected to be catalytic in the strengthening of the economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical developments in the region.
Papanastasiou went on to say that the strategic framework takes a holistic approach to EU consumer-related policies, while complementing other EU initiatives in the areas of sustainability and digitalization.
He said that because of the climate crisis the EU member states are committed to a new development strategy, which will transform the EU into a modern, sustainable and efficient single market in terms of the use of resources.
The Minister also said that Cyprus is moving forward with reforms and investments amounting to 1.2 billion euro until 2026, through the implementation of the national Recovery and Resilience Plan.
He also said that the safety of products and toys for children and minors and their protection from harmful content should and will continue to be reinforced, adding at the same time that social media and influencers should be effectively controlled and supervised.
Nikolaos Isaris in his speech said that the New EU Consumer Agenda was launched in 2020, in view of empowering consumers with the necessary information and legal safeguards amidst a new digital age and growing sustainability and environmentally-conscious concerns and preferences.
He noted that the aim is to empower consumers to be able to make conscious and safe choices, while navigating through the green and digital transitions currently undertaken by our economies and societies.
Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders said that in Cyprus and across Europe, consumers are facing exceptional challenges, not least those brought by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine adding that the EC is working hard together with the consumers to try to overcome them.
He noted that the Consumer Agenda sets out concrete actions to protect consumers and empower them to play an active role in the green and digital transitions.
Reynders noted that the Commission has done a lot to strengthen the legal framework and advance towards Green Deal objectives saying at the same time that the guiding principle is that people should be at the centre of everything we do.
The Commissioner also referred to the emerging threats online, pointing out that the ongoing digital fairness fitness check is assessing the adequacy of the consumer protection framework to tackle issues such as dark patterns, the addictive design of digital services, influencer marketing and unfair contract terms.
In the panel discussions that followed, emphasis was placed on the digital and green transition and what consumers should know, but also what the competent authorities should do to protect them and strengthen institutions and implement legislation.
It was mentioned that there are several legislations and others are being enacted, but it is important to have supervision for their implementation. The changes brought about by digital transformation, complaints and their investigation and the pitfalls of online shopping were also discussed.
The speakers emphasized that everyone needs to acquire specific skills in the digital age. There was also an extensive report and analysis of what the Commission is doing to empower consumers and protect them, with the aim of achieving a balance, given that technology is progressing and we must constantly be one step ahead.
Reference was also made to the safety of online shopping and how the consumer is protected from products from China, for example, that do not meet EU standards.