During the week from March 16th to March 22nd, 2026, the Service Juridique engaged in a series of consultations with consumers through various communication channels. These channels included video calls, Mastodon, Reddit, Messenger, and email. Throughout this period, we handled a total of 18 consultations, each presenting unique challenges and queries related to consumer protection within the EU context.

An important recurring theme was oneerlijke handelspraktijken, which were discussed in eight instances. Consumers were primarily concerned with practices that did not respect fair trading standards. In several cases, the issue of cold calling was specific and predominant. We advised consumers to document any unsolicited communication meticulously and to exercise their right to request cessation of such practices from the involved companies. For further assurance, using blocking features on their devices was also recommended.

Kwesties met betrekking tot reizigersrechten emerged in five consultations, with particular emphasis on treinreis disruptions. We guided consumers to review the terms and conditions outlined by the relevant rail service providers to ascertain the remuneration and remedies offered for the inconvenience experienced. Keeping receipts and documentation regarding the disruption was stressed as essential for filing any compensation claims.

Food supplements and associated health claims were brought up in four encounters. Here, consumers were briefed on the necessity for health claims to be supported by recognized scientific evidence as per EU regulations. They were encouraged to report misleading health claims to relevant authorities for further examination.

Ondertussen, garantie op consumptiegoederen was the subject of three inquiries. Consumers were reminded of their right to a minimum two-year warranty on all consumer goods purchased within the EU. They were guided on how to approach sellers for repairs, replacements, or refunds in the face of defective products.

Tot slot, grenscontroles concerning travel within the Schengen Area were queried twice. We advised the concerned consumers about the freedom of movement regulations and potential exceptions that might apply under specific circumstances. It was recommended to carry the necessary personal identification consistently to mitigate potential issues.

On one occasion, we encountered a subject that unfortunately did not fall under the scope of consumer protection; the issue was external to the EU territories. The consumer was guided to seek advice from entities designated to oversee such matters internationally. In summary, our consultations this week successfully addressed a range of topics with direct relevance to EU consumer rights, underlining the ongoing commitment of the Service Juridique to advocate for and empower consumers in the navigation of their rights and obligations.

Deze week werd de counseling verzorgd door WhizzBang.