EUROPEAN PROFILES S.A

TITLE OF PROJECT

Support to market surveillance system in consumer and health protection, Slovak Republic

Country:

Slovak Republic

Project Period:

11/2003- 10/2004

Project Value:

€ 478.000

No of Staff Provided:

15

Origin of Funding:

EU PHARE

Name of Client/ Beneficiary:

Central Finance and Contracting Unit (CFCU) Ministry of Finance, SK

Description of Project:

The aim of the project is to help to set up a global, coordinated and efficient market surveillance system in the Slovak Republic, help to strengthen the administrative capacity of market surveillance authorities in enforcement of consumer protection laws, help to create more active participation of NGO's in consumer policy and consumer protection issues.To reach improvement of quality and effectiveness of market surveillance, it is necessary to provide extensive training to inspectors on a wide range of issues, including consumer protection legislation, New approach Directives, market surveillance practices.

Active participation of non-governmental actors and NGO's in the consumer protection issues can be very useful in the actual implementation and enforcement of consumer laws. However, for actions to be efficient, non-governmental consumer groups need to develop their professional skills and experience in the sector. The project should give basis for such development, including seminars on consumer protection acts and case law, training on methods of negotiation in order to protect consumer interests, publication of working manual, etc. The activities of the project are focused on the following topics:

• 72 Training Sessions/Workshops involving:
  • Market surveillance strengthening in the field of general product safety, implementation of the New Directive on general product safety and of the related EU Directives; Preparations for implementations of PAREX and EHLASS systems into Slovak market surveillance system.
  • Training , seminars and workshops on market surveillance and consumer & health protection
• Organization of two internships in two selected EU countries focusing on, and comparing differing market surveillance systems and one internship to EU countries focusing on RAPEX system and EHLASS system
• Production of Web Site for Consumer Protection
• Publications and promotion

Services Provided:

• Institution Capacity Building

• Market surveillance strengthening

• Development and delivery of training to the staff of market surveillance institutions and to NGOs on consumer protection and product safety legislation

• Organisation of seminars, and workshops (72 sessions)

• Organisation of 4 groups of internships for Market Surveillance in 2 countries, and RAPEX and EHLASS systems

• Production of Web Site for Consumer Protection

• Production of a Manual for NGO Consumer Associations

• Preparation for access and participation to the RAPEX & EHLASS systems

• Public awareness raising; Publications, and promotion events

Name of Partners:

• Hulla & Co Human Dynamics KG - AU

• INKA/General Consumers Federation of Greece- GR