During the period from March 24, 2025, to March 30, 2025, the Service Juridique handled a total of 19 consumer consultations, addressing various consumer protection concerns through a range of communication channels, including video call, messenger, telegram, mastodon, e-mail, and phone.
A common issue encountered during this week was unfair practice (misleading information or statement), discussed in seven cases. Consumers were advised to carefully gather all relevant documentation and consider lodging official complaints with the appropriate entities if amicable resolution proved impossible. Warranty on consumer goods was another frequent topic, appearing in six consultations. We guided consumers to check the terms of their warranties and provided advice on how to assert their rights when dealers did not comply.
Unfair general terms and conditions were raised in five instances, and consumers were informed about their rights regarding contract fairness and the possibility of these terms being deemed non-binding. These consultations often overlapped with queries about e-commerce/distance selling, which was a subject in four sessions. In these cases, consumers were advised on their rights to withdraw from contracts within stipulated periods under EU law.
Two consultations involved food supplements, where consumers expressed concerns about the claims made by manufacturers. We advised them to ensure that all health claims were substantiated by credible sources, as per EU regulations. The issue of border controls while commuting to or from work was addressed in one instance, where the consumer was reminded of the guidelines surrounding free movement within the EU.
In three instances, the discussions involved unfair business practices (not specified). Here, consumers were encouraged to document any suspicious activities and consider escalating these matters through formal legal channels if necessary. While our scope primarily covers EU jurisdictions, no consultations fell beyond our focus during this week.
The Service Juridique remains committed to providing accurate and helpful guidance for all inquiries within our competency, aiming to empower consumers through education and support.
This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang.
