1. PRESERVING CONSUMER RIGHTS Nico De Bie Advisor Lobby & Press Test-Achats

2. What is Test-Achats? Representation –founded in 1957 –340.000 members –300 employees –member of BEUC Independence –no subsidizing –no advertising –no link with political party –subscription of members

4. Why Euroconsumers ?  Importance of membership  Economy of scales - tests - publications  Lobby → same structure, same outputs → complex : 40 publications in 7 countries in 5 languages → growing : 1.300.000 members € 131.000.000 turnover

5. Global Service (5 outputs)  Dissemination of information (magazines, books)  Member service (telephone, letters)  Lobby & representation  Internet sites  Negotiated advantages for members → subscription fees include the whole package

6. A brief history of the euro 1995 The formal undertakings given by the 15 Member States in favour of a single currency, accompanied by a timetable, are adopted at the Madrid European Summit based on the Green Paper drawn up by the European Commission on the practical arrangements for the transition.

7. A brief history of the euro 1997 The Stability and Growth Pact is adopted by all the member countries at the Amsterdam European Council. For the countries joining the euro, it lays down certain common constraints relating to public finance, mainly a 3% ceiling on the budget deficit, and provides for financial sanctions. These constraints are necessary in an asymmetrical system in which the countries of the euro area have a single monetary policy while retaining their national fiscal policy.

8. A brief history of the euro 1999 1 January. The exchange rates of the participating currencies are irrevocably fixed. The countries of the euro area implement a single monetary policy. The euro is introduced as legal tender. Until 2001, the euro exists only in the form of cashless payments (cheques, transfers, bank cards). Payments to tax and social security authorities can be made in francs or in euros: there is no prohibition and no compulsion regarding the use of the single currency.

9. A brief history of the euro 2002 1 January, the euro notes and coins are introduced and withdrawal of the Belgian franc begins. In Belgium, the period of dual circulation of the euro and the national currency ends on 28 February 2002.

10. Sept 1, 2001 START EURO Jan 1, 2002 Feb 28, 2002 Time line - Overview

11. Time line – phase 1 Preparatory phase Sept 1, 2001 Oct 15 - Nov 15, 2001 Operation « piggy-bank » Dec 15, 2001 Operation euro- minikit (€ 12,40 – 500 BF) Dec 1, 2001 Nov 1, 2001 START EURO Jan 1, 2002 Banks, post offices, money transports coinscoins Paper money Shops (coins & paper money)

12. Time line – phase 2 Double circulation phase Feb 28, 2002 BF stops being legal currency START EURO Jan 1, 2002

13. Time line – phase 3 Exchange phase Dec 31, 2002 Banks & post offices stop changing coins and paper money Dec 31, 2004 Belgian National Bank stops changing coins Feb 28, 2002 BF stops being legal currency Belgian National Bank change of paper money

14. Situation in March 2001: Some numbers… (1) 46% of European population: “conversion rate is not definite”; 11% of European population knows exact rate of euro; 30% of Belgian population: “today we cannot pay in euro yet”; 98% of European population has never made a payment in euro; (1) Source: Eurobaromètre, European Commission, March 2001.

15. Job for C.A.’s ? Key role to play But : -Early work -Heavy work

16. Test-Achats’ Demands Double pricing at least from 01/09/01 until 31/03/02 Give change in euro during “frank+euro”-phase Continuity of contracts No higher prices Surveys

17. Information Articles in our magazines from ’98 –FAQ’s (prices, rate,…) –But also on : Consequences of contracts Payments outside the Euro zone, Double pricing in own magazines Website Conseuro

18. Collect information Euro Line (all consumers – 6 months) Complaints & Questions → Help → Inform public authorities

19. Results Euro Line

20. National Lobby Belgian Consumption Council –Founded in 1964 –Equal representation consumers >< industry –Advisory body

21. National Lobby Belgian Consumption Council Recommendations : ’96 – 12 recommendations (billing, double pricing, contracts, …) Commissariat General for the Euro (National Bank of Belgium)

22. European Lobby ECCG (WG on Euro) : Euro label Under the auspices of the European Commission, the European-level representatives of consumers and of professionals in the trade, tourism and craft trades sectors have signed an agreement covering voluntary rules of conduct during the transition period. Any professional who wishes so, may undertake to comply with seven rules of conduct in his dealings with his customers concerning the use of the euro. He will then be entitled to display a logo that gives a necessary sense of security to consumers.

23. European Lobby 7 Commitments - Euro Label 1.To respect the conversion rate and the rules for rounding 2.To accept the continuity of existing contracts 3.Not to charge additional costs to consumers who choose to pay in euro 4.To inform the consumer 5.To use dual pricing 6.To train staff 7.To accept payments in euro, in particular by card or cheque

24. Euro Charter

25. Conclusions Changeover positive –Early preparatory work; –Good cooperation with public authorities; –Important role for consumer associations

26. Thank you for your attention