Consumer protection

The phenomenon of Consumer protection began in the United States in the early 20th century as a result of strong protests from the weakest sections of American society. In response the federal government passed legislation to guarantee consumers minimum levels of control over a range of consumer products.
In Europe, the first countries to recognise the importance of and develop a response to consumer protection, around the 1950s, were the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Great Britain, in particular, considered the issue worthy of a special body and founded the Consumer Advisory Council. Other countries, notably France and Sweden, soon followed the path laid out by the British and the Danes.
In 1975 the European Community, with its first Action Programme, introduced precise guidelines and objectives: the Single Act of 1987, extended the concept of consumer, extending its importance in the policies and economy of the European Union and, in 1993, the Maastricht Treaty included a specific clause giving the EU specific competence in this area.
In Europe, at the beginning of the '80s, a series of directives were issued concerning important aspects of consumer protection: producer liability for damage caused by defective products, contracts negotiable outside commercial premises, misleading advertising, and protection for consumers on issues related to pricing, sales and general guarantees on the quality and safety of products.
The European Commission set up the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General (DG SANCO) to protect the health and safety of consumers and to promote information campaigns. Moreover, in 2003, the European Consumer Consultative Group (ECCG) was founded, with the aim of supporting the Commission on consumer related issues in the EU.
In Italy, the phenomenon and debates on consumer rights began around the end of the '80s, mainly through the creation of specific associations. For more information: European Commission: Consumer Affairs .