Cross-border trade within the EU is growing and there is a general consensus that this is a positive development since it means a wider choice of products and services as well as lower prices for consumers. But as cross-border trade is growing so are cross-border complaints.
The main conclusions from the report:
- The number of cross-boarding complaints is growing every day (an increase of 60% from 2007 to 2009 in normal complaints)
- ECC-Net is now able to solve approximately 50% complaints on its own
- There is about 50% of the cases that cannot be solved, leaving the consumer only with the possibility to go to the court
- A theoretical ADR-access exist in only half of the top 5 areas of complaints
- ADR-possibility is only a very theoretical possibility since less than 5% of cases are transferred to ADR (these 5 % include countries which have National Enforcement Bodies responsible for handling with the cases concerning air passengers and non-notified ADR bodies in the ADR category)
- Many countries have ADR schemes that could be notified but for various reasons are not.
European Consumer Centre encourages you to read the full report.
