“The draft EU directive proposes total harmonisation of consumer policy throughout the Union, a amove that would dilute consumer protection in some areas. The Nordic Council opposes this harmonisation and that is one of the issues will be discussing with our colleagues in the European Parliament,” says Henrik Dam Kristensen MP (DK), a member of the Nordic Council Citizens' and Consumer Rights Committee.

The Nordic Council is concerned that the draft directive would weaken consumers’ rights in the Region.

“Consumer rights are strong in the Nordic countries. We share a common consumer culture. Our consumers are highly aware and there is a tradition of strong consumer associations. The Region can set a good example for the European Unopn, so it is important that we try to influence the draft directive before it is adopted,” says Helgi Hjörvar MP (Ice), President of the Nordic Council.

The European Parliament is scheduled to discuss the draft in the autumn.

The Citizens' and Consumer Rights Committee is also strongly in favour of resurrecting official Nordic co-operation on consumer affairs. Consumers’ interests are often the same throughout the Region, so plenty of scope exists for synergies, the committee says.

Silje Bergum Kinsten
Phone +45 33 96 02 51
Email siki@norden.org