Weekly Report, 2025-03-10 to 2025-03-16

During the week of March 10 to March 16, 2025, the Service Juridique offered consumer consultations utilizing both video call and messenger as means of communication. A total of 16 consultations were conducted, covering a range of topics relevant to consumer rights and protection within the EU.

In five instances, the discussions centered on unfair business practices, particularly those blacklisted. Consumers were informed about their rights to contest such practices and advised on how to submit formal complaints to initiate rectification processes. Additionally, four consultations involved issues related to unfair practice with misleading information or statements. Consumers were advised to gather relevant documentation to support their claims and how to dispute these misleading claims effectively.

Pricing transparency emerged as a topic in three cases. Consumers were guided on how to recognize discrepancies in pricing information and instructed on their rights to request detailed pricing breakdowns from retailers. Similarly, three consultations involved inadmissible health claims related to food. Here, consumers were advised on the legal constraints governing health claims and how to demand honesty in product labeling.

Two consultations dealt specifically with (unfair) general terms and conditions, wherein consumers were informed about identifying and challenging unreasonable contract terms. Right to repair was discussed in two instances, focusing on consumers’ rights to repair and maintain their products without facing unjustified restrictions from manufacturers. In one case, pseudo medicine/health (not related to food) was the subject of consultation. The consumer was provided with guidance on substantiating claims and reporting deceptive practices.

One consultation involved food supplements, wherein the consumer sought advice on evaluating regulatory compliance of promotional claims. The counseling in this instance, as with all others, aimed to provide clear, action-oriented guidance within the remit of consumer rights protection.

Overall, the consultations conducted during this week reflect our ongoing commitment to empowering consumers and ensuring the realization of their rights within the framework of EU regulations.

This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang Maas-Rhein.

The Service Juridique serves as the Legal Department of and for all members of the WhizzBang network. It’s professionals are located in Belgium, Slovakia, Estonia and Finland.

About WhizzBang: WhizzBang is a European network focused on consumer and data protection, uniquely dedicated to representing the interests of expatriates—individuals living in an EU country different from where they were socialized. With offices in Frankfurt/Oder (WhizzBang Viadrina), Aachen (WhizzBang Meuse-Rhine), and Brussels, WhizzBang actively supports the EU single market and opposes national barriers, striving to ensure that consumers exercising their fundamental freedoms receive the protection and support they need.