The existence of a single European market requires the full harmonisation of consumer rights across the European Union (EU). The current EU Directive on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees defines a set of minimum consumer rights applicable throughout the EU.

As a consequence, consumer policy in the European Union ensures that EU citizens enjoy a high level of consumer protection, even if purchasing goods in another EU country.

Direct Selling Europe (DSE) member companies strongly support and fully comply with national and EU legislation on consumer rights. A high level of consumer protection is indeed the best guarantee of a sustainable and ethical direct selling industry.

More information on consumer protection in the European Union.

• Is it fair? European Commission website on avoiding unfair commercial practices
  
• Your rights as a consumer in the EU
  
• EU consumer protection policies for professionals

Directives currently under review by the European Commission:

• EU Directive on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (1999/44/EC)
• Price indication (98/6/EC)
  
• Injunctions (98/27/EC)
  
• Distance Selling (97/7/EC)
• Timeshare (94/47/EC)
• Unfair Contract Terms (93/13/EC)
• Package Travel (90/314/EC)
• Doorstep Selling (85/577/EC)
• Unfair Commercial Practices (2005/29/EC)
  

4 of these Directives are combined in the proposed Directive on Consumer Rights published by the European Commission on 8 October 2008.

• Proposal for an EU Directive on Consumer Rights

European and national consumer protection associations:

• EU page about consumer associations and networks
• EU page about consumers' common frame of reference
• EU page about European contract law
• EU page for monitoring markets
• EU page about misleading and comparative advertisement
• European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC)
  
• European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC)
  
• Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union (COFACE)
  
• European Community of Consumer Cooperatives (Euro Coop)
  

See also:

• Common Frame of Reference
• European Contract Law
• Consumer Markets Scoreboard
• Misleading and Comparative Advertising
• European Commission: Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
• Taxation in the European Union
  
• Employment legislation the European Union
  
• Direct selling legislation by country