During the week from April 29, 2024, to May 5, 2024, the Service Juridique provided consumer consultations using e-mail as the means of communication. A total of 24 consultations were conducted, covering various topics related to consumer protection issues.

In 11 cases, the consultations addressed unfair business practices, where consumers were guided on identifying deceptive schemes and encouraged to document all interactions with businesses. They were also advised on how to gather necessary evidence to support their claims.

There were 7 consultations concerning pseudo medicine/health products that did not relate to food. Consumers were informed about the potential risks associated with non-regulated health products and instructed to prioritize purchases from authorized vendors that comply with EU safety standards.

The issue of unfair practices involving misleading information or statements was discussed in 14 consultations. In these instances, the consumers were advised to seek clear and truthful advertising and to challenge vague or exaggerated claims by requesting additional product information from the seller.

We also dealt with 9 cases regarding (unfair) general terms and conditions. Consumers received guidance on recognizing imbalanced contract clauses and were encouraged to negotiate fairer terms or to report their concerns to us, if necessary.

There was one instance where the consultation did not proceed, as the issue presented fell outside our scope and involved matters related to real estate, which is not within the purview of the EU consumer protection framework.

Overall, the Service Juridique continued to provide careful and detailed guidance to individuals facing consumer rights challenges, helping them navigate various issues with appropriate advice and supporting them in potentially escalating their complaints if needed.

This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang Maas-Rhein.