Protection of consumers: injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests

Stressing the innovative aspect of this directive which would regulate, for the first time, the right of consumer associations to bring actions in any EU country, the rapporteur expressed his appreciation of the Council’s work which had improved the technical aspect of the directive in question. As a result, he was against the amendments tabled on those professional categories not falling within the sphere of consumers. Commissioner Cresson said that the Commission would accept the conclusions of the Committee on Legal Affairs which had already rejected the last eight amendments. In particular, with regard to Amendments Nos 2, 4, 6 and 7 – establishing a link between national law and the capacity of qualified entities to act – Mrs Cresson considered that these represented a retreat from the common position, particularly as they would call into question the very purpose of the directive, namely the mutual recognition of entities qualified to bring actions.