EU Commission launches Cyprus consumer rights campaign

The European Commission launched a campaign informing Cypriot citizens about their consumer rights both at home and in other EU countries.

“EU laws have given consumers rights, but making laws is only one step towards empowering consumers”, Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs said in a video recorded speech. “To make these rights work for you in practice, Cypriots need to know their rights, need to be reminded of them regularly, and need to know where to turn to for further information and advice”.

“Experience in all EU countries, and in particular in those countries that joined the EU more recently shows that there is a constant need for information, and that the EU can help and reinforce national efforts,” Kuneva said.

“We want to involve the business community. Companies – large and small – need to know about consumer rights,” she said , adding that the Cypriot business community should be “consumer friendly” and to adhere to best practice “beyond legal obligations”.

The information campaign “You are a consumer! You have rights!” focuses on consumer rights concerning package travel, on-line shopping and consumer credit and will run until June 2008.

The campaign also promotes the Cyprus Consumer Association as a source for further information and advice to consumers.

Egli Hadjipaschali of the CCA said that “during the campaign we will distribute a series of 12 fact sheets about consumer rights. People will find these fact sheets in our offices.

An EU survey conducted in April showed that 50% of Cypriot consumers between 25 and 45 years did not know their rights when they take out credit to buy a car or a washing machine, while more than 50% don’t know what to do in case of a problem with their holiday package.

Also, more than 70% say they don’t know their rights when they are shopping on-line and around 90% would like to know more about their consumer rights.

Consumers looking for more information can contact the CCA by phone on 22 516112 or visit the website www.cyprusconsumers.org.cy .

Similar campaigns have been undertaken by the European Commission in Poland in 2005, in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia in 2006 and are staring this autumn in Malta and Hungary.   Campaigns in the remaining new member states are scheduled for 2008 and 2009.