2010 [Spring] Consumer Markets Scoreboard

The spring Consumer Markets Scoreboard published on 29 March 2010 by the European Commission reveals that EU consumers were still not reaping the full benefits of the internal market due to barries to cross-border commerce.

The national conditions for consumers – measured e.g. by consumer trust in consumer authorities and NGOs, and the effectiveness of handling disputes – declined in many countries. Some member states improved their scores notwithstanding the difficult economic period.

The ability of consumers to afford goods and services varies greatly from one country to another: in six countries, affordability is less than half the EU average. Life in the richer EU countries is more affordable for consumers, despite higher price levels.

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/10/109 :Consumers at Home in the Internal Market? Questions and Answers on the 2010 Consumer Markets Scoreboard http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/109&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: DG Health and Consumer Policy: 3rd Consumer Scoreboard - 2010 http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/consumer_scoreboards/3_edition/index_en.htm

---