The EuropeanConsumerCenter informs and advises consumers when buying services and products inside the European Union.
The EuropeanConsumerCenter answers to the General Consumer Secretariat. From January 1st 2005 operates in the building of the Ministry of Development in Kaniggos Square with the support of both the Ministry and the European Commission.
ECC’s main target is to inform and advise consumers about their rights in order to make safe purchases based upon consumer protection law. The ECC also helps solve differences between providers and consumers. Therefore consumers facing problems in transactions made within the European Union, outside their native country can file their complaints to the ECC.
ECC’s role is intermediary and aims at the friendly settlement of a complaint or dispute between the provider and consumer. Complaints received by the ECC concern only differences between providers and individuals and not between companies.
ECC’s services are free of charge. Consumers filing their complaints to the Center must be aware that in case no friendly settlement is reached, they still have the right to turn to the legal authorities.
The EuropeanConsumerCenter provides the following services:
General information: Information about National and European consumer protection Legislation.
Practical advice: Advice to consumers interested in making cross-border transactions and therefore knowing their rights in the European Internal market and avoiding problems.
Managing complaints:EuropeanConsumerCenter specialized consultants receive consumer complaints and help find an extra-judicional friendly settlement in cross-border differences against providers within the E.U. In order for a complaint to be solved two essentials are needed, the consumer must have all the necessary documents (both about the transaction and the communication) as well as the providers’ good will.
European Consumer Center Network cooperation (ECC-Net): The Greek European Consumer Center participates in researches and studies made by the ECC-Net in order to keep a track of the European Internal Market. The results provide the ECCs’ with valuable information about the problems Europeans face in order to give the most appropriate advice. Based upon these studies the European Commission takes measures to improve consumer protection legislation.
