|
| |
The other networks in Europe
In this page you can find a
short description of other European Network working in defence of consumers
under the control of the European Commission.
-
FIN-Net is a out-of-court complaints network for financial
services. In case of a financial dispute between a consumer and a
financial service provider, the consumer can contact the out-of-court
complaints body in his own country. He will be provided with all the
necessary and appropriate information about the complaints network and with
the competent scheme in the country of the financial service provider.
The European Commission
launched this network on 1st February 2001 to help businesses and
consumers to solve their dispute in the Internal Market rapidly and
efficiently avoiding the expensive legal action. This network has been
created to facilitate the out-of-court resolution of consumer disputes when
the service provider is in an EU Member State other than that where the
consumer lives. The network brings together more than 35 different national
schemes covering either financial services in particular (banking and
insurance ombudsmen schemes) or handling consumer disputes in general. Both
on- and off-line services are covered.
-
SOLVIT is an on-line problem solving network in which EU Member
States work together to solve without legal proceedings problems caused by
the misapplication of Internal Market law by a public authority. SOLVIT is
in all EU Member State as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
SOLVIT handles complaints from both citizens and businesses. They are part
of the national administration and are committed to providing real solutions
to problems within ten weeks. Using SOLVIT is free of charge. SOLVIT has
been working since 2002. The European Commission coordinates the network
while centres are managed by each Member State. The European Commission
provides with database facilities and, if necessary, helps to speed up the
resolution of problems.
-
The European
Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters has been created
after a meeting of the EU Council held in the autumn of 1999, in Finland.
That meeting was devoted to the creation of an area of freedom, security and
justice within the European States. The Heads of State and Government wished
the European Commission to take some initiatives to improve the access to
justice for citizens and companies in Europe, among them the establishment
of a network of national authorities with responsibility for civil and
commercial law.
In September 2000, the Commission presented a proposal for a decision
establishing the network in civil and commercial matters. This proposal was
then adopted by the Council in May 2001.
The network consists of representatives of the Member States' judicial and
administrative authorities. They meet several times each year to exchange
information and experience and to strengthen the cooperation between all
Member States as regards civil and commercial law.
The main objective is to help citizens facing any kind of cross-border
problems.
-
Other network
In Europe there are
different networks promoting citizens’ rights. For further information you
can visit the website of the European Union. Among these networks:
-
Insafe a network of national nodes that coordinate Internet
safety awareness in Europe
-
INHOPE
an international association f internet Hotlines
-
CSR Europe a
business network for corporate social responsibility
|
