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Keywords

directive on consumer rights, functioning of internal market, harmonisation, consumer protection, EU law, consumer contracts

Abstract

Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights was adopted on 25 October 2011 repealing Directive 85/577/EEC on contracts negotiated away from business premises and Directive 97/7/EC on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts. It also amended Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts and Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees. Directive 2011/83/EU is the next step in the clarification and the adjustment to current market conditions of traditional principles of freedom and sanctity of contracts. At the same time, the new Directive is the result of a compromise, which finalized several years of discussions on the replacement of minimum harmonisation by complete harmonisation in the area of consumer rights in the EU. Introducing complete harmonisation of matters covered by the repelled Directive, the Directive constitutes a breakthrough in the manner in which EU consumer law is formulated, which used to only set minimum standards of consumer protection. The new Directive sets a new direction for EU consumer law. It is now expected that the historically derived differences in national provisions applicable so far in the internal market will be gradually standardized in the area of traditional contracts also, similarly to what already took place in relation to atypical contracts (contracts negotiated away from business premises and distance contracts, including e-commerce). In particular, the paper evaluates the 2011/83/EU Directive from the perspective of its impact on undertakings and consumers as well as the tasks of national legislature.

First Page

78

Last Page

91

Page Count

13

Publisher

University of Warsaw

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