ECCs France and Germany welcome EU Commissioner Reynders and Minister Lemoyne
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders and the French Minister Delegate in charge of Consumer Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne visited the French and German ECCs on Friday. The two European Consumer Centres hold a shared office in the cross-border Strasbourg-Kehl region. Mr Reynders and Mr Lemoyne came by on their way to the European Consumer Summit 2022, hosted in Strasbourg (France) in light of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The officials were welcomed by the ECC’s president Vincent Thiébaut. On the occasion of the visit, the two ECCs presented Mr Reynders and Mr Lemoyne with their plans for 2022. With a focus on responsible consumption and information on digital marketing practices, the ECCs’ plans resonated perfectly with this year’s Consumer Summit theme of consumer protection in the digital era and green transition. Mr Reynders emphasised the European Consumer Centres’ vital role in “addressing the major challenges faced by consumers in the green and digital transition”.
Cross-border cooperation
Minister Lemoyne commended the mobilisation of the European Consumer Centres, calling them “a symbolic site of friendship and Franco-German action to protect consumers”, even during the pandemic. Last year the ECCs' trilingual team handled more than 45.800 requests for information and mediation. As many of these requests were focused on cross-border travel and tourism, the ECCs also helped co-produce a digital tool with regional partners to provide insight into relevant coronavirus travel regulations in the international region.
European Consumer Summit 2022
The European Consumer Summit 2022 took place on 10 and 11 February, both online and on location at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The Consumer Summit is a forum where experts, officials, politicians and citizens exchange ideas regarding consumer issues, providing guidance to the EU’s decision-making bodies. This year’s event saw discussions of topics such as transparency and accountability of online marketplaces, fighting greenwashing and improving the lifespan of products with the right to repair.