The Netherlands - Priority areas of the Consumer Authority: aggressive canvassing and unfair practices on the Internet

Over the coming period, the Consumer Authority will focus in particular on misleading and aggressive canvassing and unfair commercial practices on the Internet. The enforcement authority announced this on 28 January at the presentation of its Agenda for 2010 and 2011.

Further priority areas covered in the Agenda include: guarantees & conformity, new statutory duties and cross-border consumers. Dirk Janssen, Acting Director of the Consumer Authority, explains: "We have chosen those practices that concern many people and which damage consumer confidence. What is more, these practices often result in significant losses. In the case of misleading and aggressive canvassing, this amounts to over 200 million euros' worth of losses and affects over one million people every year in the Netherlands."

The five priority areas have been determined following consultation with the various parties involved. The reports received by the Consumer Authority's information desk, ConsuWijzer, also form an important source. From this year onwards, the Consumer Authority has opted for a biennial Agenda. It has emerged that it may take some time to bring about a permanent change in behaviour. What is more, this has made the enforcement authority more flexible when it comes to dedicating capacity to tackling consumer problems that occur suddenly.

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