European Parliament
A7-0155/2012
Vladko Todorov Panayotov  (ALDE ),
in writing.
– The EU and its internal market provide the highest protection in the world to its consumers. Thanks to strict principles, the internal market has created many fair and secure opportunities for producers as well as for consumers. As the rules of the internal market are evolving along with its fast development, the concept of the vulnerable consumer and the necessity to set up special protection are assuming more and more importance in the political agenda. Indeed, in order for the internal market to stay fair and secure, it is crucial to highlight the vulnerability of some consumers and to tackle disloyal practices which aim to take advantage of this vulnerability. But types of vulnerability are various and take different shapes which can be very subtle and therefore hard for the legislator to delimitate. This report does not point out a clear definition or specific sanctions but it carefully outlines and enumerates what can be considered to be the consumer’s vulnerability. It is a big step towards a better understanding of this concept and thus a big step towards taking over this issue.

