22 October 2009

Commissioner Kroes: consumers need robust competition more than ever before

Commissioner Neelie Kroes emphasised the importance of robust competition policy for consumers, adding that it is not just about lowering prices for consumers, but also influencing their choice and quality.

Kroes stressed the importance of competition policy for consumers and said that it is not just about lowering prices for consumers, but also influencing their choice and quality.

Neliee Kroes highlighted the Commission’s efforts to improve competition policy over the last five years and the fact that it has brought successful claims against a wide range of companies whose actions have harmed consumers.

In 2008 alone, the Commission brought to an end many price-fixing cartels involving products as diverse as bananas and car windows. It has also ended cartels in industries away from the limelight such as elevator repair. With consumers facing overcharges of up to 25 per cent on cartels, this work makes a real difference to the daily lives of millions of Europeans.

Kroes also highlighted the need to communicate the full range of benefits of competition policy. Though some market participants are more focused on the short term, competition policy is about long- term benefits,

In this respect, last year Kroes set up a dedicated Consumer Liaison unit in DG COMPT in order to be closer to consumers and listen to their concerns. Commissioner Kuneva has also been a fierce advocate for the views of consumers and their representatives. This is all part of a clear and positive trend in Commission policy-making

Commissioner Kroes concluded by saying that ‘after five years of hard work, building on that of Mario Monti and Karel Van Miert, we can see the fingerprints of consumer welfare over everything in the Commission's competition system. However, consumers are the easiest people to ignore in a market with many powerful and organised actors. Indeed, the debate on damages actions shows how willing certain interests are to trample on consumers. Therefore consumers need robust competition more than ever. Protectionism and slack enforcement would weaken the single market. The right solution is that we are maintaining competition enforcement.’

 

 

Full speech

 

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