EUROPEAN PROFILES S.A

TITLE OF PROJECT

Strengthening Consumer Protection in Serbia

Country:

Serbia

Project Period:

2011-2014

Project Value:

€ 2.260.500

No of Staff Provided:

Short Term Experts

Origin of Funding:

European Commission, IPA

Name of Client/ Beneficiary:

Ministry of Agriculture, Trade Forestry and Water Management

Description of Project:

The overall objective of the project of which this contract will be a part is to contribute to the protection of consumer rights and interests in Serbia in accordance with the EU Acquis.
The purposes of this contract are as follows:

• To assist the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade Forestry and Water Management (MATFWM) in further alignment of the Serbian consumer protection legal framework with the EU Acquis, including through the adoption of relevant by-laws and implementing regulations,
• To strengthen the institutional capacity of the MATFWM, the out-of-court dispute-settlement bodies, the courts, consumer associations and other relevant authorities, for enforcement of the new consumer protection legislation and in line with EU Acquis and best practices,
• To strengthen cooperation and coordination among public institutions and private bodies involved in consumer protection in Serbia, in order to promote a uniform application of consumer legislative framework.
• To increase awareness on consumer protection policy among public and private sector stakeholders.

European Profiles Consortium will provide comprehensive technical assistance to the staff of the MATFWM and of other relevant public institutions and private bodies (dispute-settlement bodies, consumer associations, etc.) so that the new consumer protection legal framework in Serbia is implemented in line with the EU Acquis. The sound and vigorous implementation of the new legislation, appears to be a challenging objective, particularly in terms of the increased responsibilities it would impose on the Serbian public administration, both in terms of financial and human resources. This holds particularly true for the institutional capacity of the two main enforcement institutions: the MATFWM and the competent courts.

Technical assistance will cover most aspects of consumer protection law enforcement and policy implementation (out-of-court settlement of consumer protection disputes, unfair contract terms, unfair commercial practices, protection of consumer collective interests, distance and doorstep selling. etc.).

Support in the adoption of by-laws and regulations necessary to ensure full implementation of the primary legislation will be provided. Our Consortium will review the organisation of consumer protection competences among different actors and propose initiatives for a better coordination of efforts and uniform application of the legislation.

Training courses will include analysis of landmark cases decided by the European Commission and National consumer protection institutions in the field of consumer protection. Training programmes should include all public and private relevant bodies. On-the job training to enforcement officials and consumer associations with respect to ongoing investigations will be provided throughout the project.

Dispute-settlement bodies are expected play an essential role in the new consumer protection regime. The Project's contribution to the development of adequate institutional capacity of such bodies will be important. The current plan is to have such mediation centres in Belgrade and in 2 or 3 other major Serbian cities.

On-the- job training and study visits to EU Member States consumer protection institutions will be organised for officials of the MATFWM, other relevant public and private institutions to ensure exposure to EU Member States' best practices.

Services Provided:

• Assessment of the degree of harmonization of the Serbian primary and secondary consumer protection legislation with the EU Consumer Acquis carried out;
• Drafting and adaptation of by-laws and implementing regulations to ensure sound application of the consumer protection legislation, as well as provision of assistance for their enforcement;
• Comprehensive analysis of the consumer protection institutional framework in Serbia, with suggested organizational changes for better coordination.
• Preparation of a Report for reviewing means and methods to strengthen coordination among all concerned public institutions with respect to their role in enforcement of consumer protection legislation.
• Training needs assessment of all Serbian public institutions and private organizations active in the area of consumer, as well as production of an action plan.
• Delivery of Training activities illustrating the enforcement experiences of selected EU Member States in consumer protection Acquis.
• "On-the-job" assistance in the investigation of consumer protection infringements provided for MATFWM, other Ministries and authorities involved in consumer protection enforcement.
• Training and "on-the-job" assistance on the enforcement of consumer protection legislation delivered to consumer associations and mediation centres;
• Study-visits to EU Member States consumer protection institutions.
• Delivery of Training on the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies ("ICT") for promoting compliance with consumer protection principles and rules delivered.
• Delivery of electronic communications networks covering different consumer protection institutions and organizations and promoting uniform application of the Serbian consumer protection Training on the design and management of consumer protection awareness (media) campaigns and means to measure their effectiveness;
• Seminars and workshops on raising consumer awareness delivered to MATFWM and consumer associations;
• Seminars and workshops aimed to promote knowledge on consumer rights delivered to the business and legal community;
• Events to raise the awareness on the new consumer protection law and on general consumer protection issues delivered to journalists;
• Public surveys aimed to measure the level of consumers' satisfaction and at evaluating the effectiveness of awareness campaigns;
• Development, publication and distribution of educational and promotional materials on consumers rights;

Name of Partners:

• IBF International Consulting, (BE);
• ATC Consultants (AT);
• VKI (AT);
• Baines Babic (CY)