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Consumer Working Group

Consumer Working Group. Consumer Protection in Belgium during the euro changeover Nabil Jijakli European Commission 21 September 2004 - London. General Commission for the euro Legal framework Dual pricing Code of conduct Euro observatories Monitoring and control

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Consumer Working Group

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  1. Consumer Working Group Consumer Protection in Belgium during the euro changeover Nabil Jijakli European Commission21 September 2004 - London

  2. General Commission for the euro • Legal framework • Dual pricing • Code of conduct • Euro observatories • Monitoring and control • Accurate planning and crucial role of communication

  3. General commission for the euro 4 central working parties with dozens of working parties COM EURO COM ECO EURO ADMI EURO FIN EURO - legislation - accounting, budgeting, - processes and IT in administrations - local administrations - training, communication - financial markets (1999) - cash (2002) - non-cash transactions - prudential supervision - consumers - companies, business, etc - insurance companies - communication to "weaker social groups" - communication Specific working parties - conversion and rounding - contingency plan cash- changeover

  4. Consumer Council • Composition • Role • Opinions on: • Information and communication • Changeover scenario • Dual pricing • Euro observatories • Euro label and code • etc.

  5. European Regulations and Recommendations • Council Regulation of 17 June 1997 • Council Regulation of 3 May 1998 • Commission Recommendations of 23 April 1998: • Banking charges • Dual display of prices • Information • Commission Recommendation of 11 October 2000

  6. Dual display of prices • Tax, VAT and social forms • Wages • Invoices of service providers • Bank accounts, loans, forms, etc. • Petrol pumps • Shops, supermarkets, etc. • No legal obligation, but… strongly recommended

  7. Code of conduct • European Recommendation and Consumer Council opinion • Consumer organisations, trade organisations and Ministry of Economic Affairs • 7 principles of good conduct • Increase trust and knowledge, and encourage preparation • Euro label • Commitment by the business sectors

  8. Local euro observatories • European Recommendation and Consumer Council opinion • 11 euro observatories • Composition: • Consumer associations • Trade associations • Ministry of Economic Affairs • National Bank of Belgium • Tasks: • Monitoring and detection of problems • Information • No monitoring or mediation

  9. Price Monitoring • Regular monitoring of dual pricing • Specific surveys on price conversion: • 2001-2002 • Ten sectors • Comparison with HCPI • Increase of prices above 2%: cafés, restaurants, hotels and bakeries • Fall of prices: domestic appliance sector, and department stores • National Bank of Belgium surveys

  10. Complaints • Increaseof inspections and surveys by the Ministry of Economic Affairs • Type of problems • Euro pricing • Conversion and rounding rules • Refusal of payments in EUR or in BEF • Freephone numbers

  11. Time line for theintroduction of the euro • Use of the euro in the transitional period (1999-2001) • Free conversion of bank account • Free of charge exchange of BEF notes and coins • Long exchange period • Automatic conversion of bank accounts and bank products • Distribution of euro minikit by companies to their staff • Security measures • Etc.

  12. Communication plays an essential role • ECB and NCB's: information campaign "EURO 2002" • General public, SME's, weaker social groups, schools

  13. Publications for professionals and general public Recommendations, newsletter, leaflets, CD-Roms, ... Training of cashiers and law enforcement officers Training of about 750 trainers on security features

  14. In mass media and letterboxes Getting ready for the euro

  15. Ministry of Economic Affairs in Brussels and all over the country ± 120 sessions ± 5500 "super"-trainers The euro made easy weaker social groups get used to the euro Euro-information for retailers and businesses

  16. for schools dummy coins and notes posters folders manuals for teachers videotapes Didactical material for primary and secondary schools

  17. Special initiatives for the blind and visually impaired

  18. by the European Commission

  19. Brochures leaflets for the general public

  20. €uro websites Belgian websites : http://euro.be http://www.nbb.be National Bank of Belgium http://www.mineco.fgov.be/euroMinistry of Economic Affairs http://www.eurochallenger.be European websites : http://www.europa.eu.intEuropean Commission http://www.euro.ecb.int European Central Bank General Commission for the euro + Federal Government

  21. Reaction of citizens : Belgium Euro zone - information : 95 % 88 % - well-prepared : 85 % 74 % - changeover in general : 92 % 80 % - personal feeling : 96 % 87 %

  22. 17 BEF0,42 EUR Value 1.200.000 BEF29 747,22 EUR 22 BEF0,55 EUR 580 BEF/kg14,38 EUR/kg Commissariat général à l'euroboulevard de Berlaimont 141000 Bruxelles 55 BEF1,36 EUR 375 BEF9,30 EUR

  23. Conclusions • Early preparation • Good changeover plan and execute it • Excellent collaboration • Reaction of citizens

  24. Thank you for your attention Questions ?

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