Consumer Protection in the Council of Europe

Abstract

The Council of Europe was the first of the International Governmental Organisations in Europe to take practical steps to include the question of Consumer Protection in its Inter-Governmental Work Programme.

Editor’s note: Consumer protection is a fairiy new subject of international cooperation in Europe. It is part of the present trend of governmental efforts to look after the “quality of life” of the European people rather than for mere economic performances. While the Council of Europe acted as a pioneer in this field as in many others, several organisations have been quick to follow suit according to their own competences and resources. Organisations most active in consumer protection are at present the Council of Europe, the European Communities and OECD. The following three articles have been written by responsible officials of these three organisations.