From the period of January 15, 2024, to January 21, 2024, the Service Juridique engaged in a total of 14 consultations with consumers via video call, addressing a range of issues pertinent to consumer rights within the European Union.
In five instances, the focus was on travelers’ rights (package holiday), where consumers were primarily advised to review the specific terms and conditions associated with their package deals and verify compliance with EU regulations on offered compensation. Consumers were guided to document their communications and transactions thoroughly, to support any required claims or disputes.
There were four consultations concerning failure to provide mandatory information. In these cases, consumers were counseled on identifying the missing information and were encouraged to contact the establishments in question, citing the relevant EU directives that mandate disclosure, to resolve the issues effectively.
Three inquiries related to travelers’ rights (air travel) were handled, where consumers faced issues such as flight cancellations or delays. They were advised on their rights to compensation and assistance according to EU regulations, emphasizing the importance of retaining travel documentation to substantiate their claims.
One consultation addressed inadmissible health claims related to food. The consumer was advised to review the advertised claims against the established EU standards for food labeling and health claims, ensuring that they meet the requisite scientific substantiation criteria.
Another consultation dealt with concerns about pseudo medicine/health not related to food. The consumer was educated on distinguishing between substantiated health products and those lacking evidence-based support, and on the importance of consulting qualified healthcare professionals for guidance.
Finally, in one case concerning GDPR, the consumer sought advice on data protection issues. Counsel provided guidance on how to assess potential GDPR violations and advised on measures to protect personal data privacy in alignment with the regulation.
No instances were reported where the counseling failed or where the matters were outside the agency’s scope during this period.
This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang Viadrina.
