EUVerbraucherrechterichtlinie

The EU Consumer Rights Directive, formally known as Directive 2011/83/EU, is a legislative act of the European Union aimed at protecting the rights of consumers within the EU. It was adopted in 2011 and entered into force in 2014. The directive sets out minimum consumer rights to be transposed into national law by EU member states, ensuring a high level of consumer protection across the EU.

The directive covers a wide range of consumer rights, including the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to safety, the right to be heard, the right to compensation, and the right to consumer education. It also establishes rules for unfair commercial practices and unfair terms in consumer contracts.

The directive applies to all contracts concluded between consumers and traders, including businesses, professionals, and public authorities. It does not apply to contracts between consumers themselves or between businesses.

The directive is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing member states to transpose its provisions into their national laws in a way that best suits their national circumstances. This has led to some variation in the implementation of the directive across member states.

The EU Consumer Rights Directive is part of the EU's broader strategy to create a single market and to enhance the rights and protections of consumers. It is regularly reviewed and updated to address new challenges and developments in the consumer market.