20 Years ECC Norway

ECC-Net turns 20

Here’s the story on how our office in Norway has worked throughout the years and how we collaborate with our network to protect consumer rights.

Since 2005, we have been part of the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net), working to protect consumer rights across the EU, Norway, and Iceland. Throughout the years, our office has developed tools and services that meet consumers' communication preferences. They can contact us through email, phone calls, or more recently, even on social media.

In this article, we’re looking back at how our office has grown and outline our plans for the future. 

A digital shift 

From the moment our office opened, consumers began reaching out. In the early days, around 60% of the cases we handled were travel-related.  Given how much Norwegians love to travel, this is not surprising, . While travel issues are still common today, we saw a shift around 2015. As online shopping grew, so did the number of cases related to digital purchases.

Contributing to fair practices in e-commerce 

One key area that emerged was card guarantee. Today, many people assume that if something goes wrong with an online purchase, their bank will quickly refund the money. But that level of consumer protection didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of work. The ECC network played a crucial role in making that process smoother and more reliable across borders. We’ve also focused on helping industries improve their approach towards consumers, offering guidance and training to ensure fair practices. 

Embracing change: navigating the digital landscape

Over the years we've adapted our work to reflect how consumer behaviour has evolved, and that’s especially true when it comes to our digital presence. While we still publish press releases and articles, we now place much more emphasis on building a strong presence on social media.

What’s next for ECC Norway?

Although Norway is a small country, we’ve truly benefited from European cooperation to help consumers feel more confident when they shop or travel across Europe. Still, we know that not everyone is aware of who we are or what we do.

Addressing young people with a new social media strategy

That’s why one of our next priorities is to raise awareness about our work. A key part of this effort will be strengthening our digital presence, especially on social media, where we aim to connect with a younger audience in the spaces, they already spend their time. To support this, we’ve developed a social media strategy with a clear plan for content that drives engagement and builds recognition of our work.

Implementing user-focused web improvements

Looking ahead, we’ll also focus on improving our website to make it more user-friendly and aligned with today’s digital expectations. At the same time, we’ll continue our core communication work by responding to emails and taking phone calls from Monday to Thursday. 

Connecting with consumers across Norway

Of course, we’ll maintain our physical presence too: giving presentations to older generations about consumer rights, visiting universities, and participating in other outreach activities to ensure we reach a broad and diverse audience.

Ensuring consumer rights in a digital age

We’re not stopping any time soon. We’ll keep sharing knowledge and experiences to make sure shopping in Europe and the European Economic Area (EEA) stays easy, safe, and fair for everyone.

Want to stay up to date? 

We regularly post news, insights, and tips on our channels. Check out our website, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook to stay informed about your rights as a consumer.

Want to know more about ECC-Net or ECC Norway?