Better consumer protection through fully enforced laws

BELGRADE - A new consumer protection law, complying with the EU legislation, is soon to be passed in Serbia, but its full enforcement must be made possible by strengthening the relevant institutions, it was stated at the closing conference of the EU funded project in this area on Tuesday.

Participants of the project Strengthening Consumer Protection in Serbia also underlined the need for raising awareness on consumer rights as well as for strengthening and better cooperation between consumer protection organizations.

Jose Antonio Gomez Gomez of the EU Delegation to Serbia emphasized that consumer protection falls within the domain of human rights, and team leader Thierry Bourgoignie expressed satisfaction with the results of the project.

We had excellent cooperation with the Ministry (of Trade), which was the beneficiary of the project, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, consumer associations, and all other stakeholders, Bourgoignie told reporters.

Vesna Novakovic, head of the Trade Ministry's Consumer Protection Department, said that the draft of the new consumer protection law is completed, adding that its adoption is expected shortly.

Goran Papovic, head of the National Consumer Organization of Serbia, noted that the traders engaged in unfair practices have so far not faced adequate sanctions, but added that full enforcement of the new law should bring about changes in that sense.

Photo Tanjug Video