European Union: Commission to strengthen systems to enforce consumer law

Today the European Commission adopted a "consumer enforcement package" to strengthen the EU-wide enforcement of consumer rules. The package consists of: a Communication setting out five priority areas for action, and a report on the first two years of application of the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation1, which established an EU wide network of public authorities enforcing consumer rules in the Member States ("CPC Network"), for example, with EU wide investigations into websites selling airline ticket or ringtone subscriptions for children. Effective enforcement of consumer law is major priority for EU consumer policy - both in terms of ensuring that consumers feel the full benefits of their consumer rights in their daily lives, as well as establishing a level playing field for firms in a competitive single market.

Source: EU press release IP/09/1080 of 2 July 2009; find full text here>>.

"Making non-issue an issue A demand that has raised most eyebrows [...]"

Today, the The New Nation published an article by Mohammad Shahidul Islam stating that "Bangladesh has very diverse and distinctive flora and fauna, which include a mixture of species at the Sundarban and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Many of them are unique to Bangladesh and largely unknown to the rest of the world. In fact, numerous globally threatened and endangered species inhabit Bangladesh. Combination of diverse landscapes, unspoiled habitat, and some rare wild plant and animal species have become a subject of growing international attention and conservation efforts. Tourism is always proud of having inherited all resources of environment. Besides all measures, tourism law may effectively come forward to contribute to over all conservation of environment. Deforestation and poaching of birds and animals are a threat to the development of tourism.
This is the right time to initiate a long-term plan to develop Bangladesh as an internationally competitive tourist destination supported by mid-term plan to enhance tourism in the region and short-term plan to develop new tourism destinations, products and attractions. And this is time to adopt measures for tourism development through enacting strict tourism law." Read more>>

EU: Council of Ministers adopts Regulation for European Small Claims Procedure

On 13 June, the Council of Ministers adopted a common position establishing a European Small Claims Procedure.
The regulation simplifies, speeds up and reduces the cost of court procedures for small claims and establishes the European Small Claims Procedure, giving citizens an alternative to current legal procedures of EU Member States.
The procedure will apply to civil and commercial matters where the claim does not exceed €2,000 both in pecuniary and non-pecuniary cases. The common position introduces procedural modifications with respect to the proposal of 15 March 2005, as the use of standard forms and time limits to speed up litigation.
Lastly, the judgment shall be recognized and enforced in another Member State automatically without any possibility of questioning its legitimacy. The new procedure will apply from 1 January 2009.

Source: Health & Consumer Voice, June 2007