MEPs ready to back updated consumer rights directive

The new directive on consumer rights may at last win wide support from MEPs during their 23-24 March mini-plenary in Brussels. Andreas Schwab, a German centre-right MEP who is guiding the proposal through the Parliament, put off a plenary vote earlier this month so that he could ensure a broad majority for his report.

The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and Green groups both rejected Schwab’s approach in the internal market committee on 1 February, out of concern that it would reduce consumer rights in some areas. However, both groups have indicated that they might back the proposals if changes are made to the text.

Officials in Schwab’s office said on Tuesday (15 March) that the MEP had been negotiating changes to his proposal to meet demands for clarification from the two groups on rights for traders and consumers. The Greens and the S&D group say that current wording on the information obligations for traders could lower levels of consumer protection.

Uniform rights

The proposed directive aims to update consumer protection by creating a more uniform set of rights across the EU when consumers purchase goods or services. The Parliament’s draft version also sets out harmonised consumer rights for online, distance and doorstep sale contracts.

The European Commission’s original proposal called for full harmonisation of legislation in all fields of consumer rights.

Member states want the new rules to limit harmonisation to online sales only.

Schwab is hopeful that an agreement on changes can be struck with the two groups before a debate is held on the proposal on Wednesday (23 March) and a vote is taken – according to the schedule – the day after. He is seeking wide support so that the Parliament’s position on the proposal is strengthened ahead of negotiations with the Council of Ministers.

? MEPs are also expected to give their opinion on the treaty change to include a permanent bail-out mechanism for the eurozone. This is a necessary preliminary step before the change can be made by member states, perhaps at the meeting of the European Council on 24-25 March. Member states envisage the European Stability Mechanism operating on an inter-governmental basis, but MEPs want the mechanism to be linked closely to the EU system, so that the Parliament can influence the way the fund will be run.

? The Parliament is expected to endorse three aviation accords that the EU has reached with the United States, Canada and Vietnam. The bilateral agreements aim to widen transport links between the EU and the three countries. MEPs are also expected to approve the appointment of Peter Praet as a member of the executive board of the European Central Bank and approve appointments to the European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority.