1. Enhancing the role of consumer organizations GRA Ż YNA ROKICKA KEY EXPERT ON CONSUMER PROTECTION

2. Consumer policy : measures taken to implement consumer interests. measures taken to implement consumer interests Horizontal Interdisciplinary Common EU policy

3. Consumer protection system LEGALINSTITUTIONALECONOMICSOCIAL???

4. Institutional system of consumer protection Public authorities : parliament, government, local government Courts / lawyers Self-regulatory bodies Academics Media Business Consumers, consumer organisations Others MATF WM NGOs

5. Role of consumer organizations : measures taken to implement consumer interests. ADVICE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION REPRESENTATION Conditions to fulfill the roles : Sufficient RESOURCES Adequate COMPETENCES Friendly ENVIRONMENT

6. Advice measures taken to implement consumer interests. Limited access to professional advice No unified rules Limited information No resources

7. Education and information measures taken to implement consumer interests. No school education Low consumer awareness No tradition to search for knowledge No resources

8. Consumer representation measures taken to implement consumer interests. Representation is weak No will to work together No rules No resources

9. How to enhance the role of consumer organizations (COs)? measures taken to implement consumer interests. GOVERNMENT: Clearly define the role of all stakeholders in the system Built-up effective information channels Guarantee impact of COs on decision making process Support ideas and activities of importance for consumers Provide funding in transparent way

10. How to enhance the role of consumer organizations? measures taken to implement consumer interests. RESOURCES TASKS

11. How to enhance the role of consumer organizations? measures taken to implement consumer interests. ORGANISATIONS : -Indepence from business and policy -Professional management and work -Permanent capacity building -Survey consumers needs -Work on organization image -Real co-operation with stakeholders

12. Consumer organisation – group of people who: measures taken to implement consumer interests. want to make problems for government? want to lead to bankruptcy all poor, hard working business? want to get public money for nothing? want to protect consumers’ rights and help them solve consumer problems? want to advice, educate and represent consumers ?

14. Thank you for your attention! Questions welcome … g.rokicka@zapotrosace.rs