A new attempt for revised passenger rights in air travel is here. The initiative could lead to the replacement of the old Air Passenger Rights Regulation, especially in the area of delays and flight cancellations. This means that air travellers in the EU will get more rights in the future - but also fewer in certain cases.
Many affected gamblers do not even know that they can reclaim gambling debts they have incurred at foreign casinos or online casinos. These foreign companies do not have a licence in Austria. Our article explains the background and possibilities.
In our globalised everyday life, contracting foreign companies is no longer unusual and the freedom to provide services is a fundamental right in the EU. We explain which rules and obligations apply and what you should look out for before placing orders with foreign companies.
The Chamber of Labour registers countless complaints about the payment service Klarna and is now suing this Swedish bank, which grew strongly during the Corona pandemic. Klarna handles online transactions for purchases in online shops and enables payment on account. The ECC also has daily complaint calls about Klarna and is eagerly awaiting the verdict.
A decision by the ECJ has once again clearly strengthened air passenger rights. If a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed due to an announced strike by airline staff, passengers may have a right to compensation.
In 2020, victims turned more than ever to the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Austria, part of the Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI). We used this year's World Consumer Day (15 March) as an opportunity to take a retrospective look at our counselling activities in one year of Corona.
In the referendum on 23 June 2016, 52 percent of Britons voted in favour of Brexit. On 24 December, the EU and the UK concluded a far-reaching trade and partnership agreement. What are the consequences for consumers in Europe? Here are some hints about the changes from the perspective of travellers and consumers
As of midnight tonight, i.e. as of 00:00 on 19.12.2020, a travel warning issued by the Austrian Foreign Ministry applies to practically the entire world. 10 states are exempt from this. What does this mean for a planned trip for the holidays?
Those who want to find new life partners through Parship could be confronted with high costs as soon as they change their mind and only use the service for a short time. European Court of Justice declares offsetting practice invalid.
The European order for payment procedure simplifies the process of litigation in cross-border cases for consumers. It was established on 12.12.2008 in all EU Member States, except for Denmark.
Simplification for consumers
12.05.2020 / Incomplete reimbursements
Misleading advertising of "flexible" tickets by the online tour operator led to a lawsuit and conviction in Vienna.
Clarity about ancillary costs of airline tickets was sued for in Italy by consumer advocates. Ryanair must clearly display ancillary costs for airline tickets, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
The Coronavirus paralyses public life in spring to Easter. A public event ban was issued by the Austrian Government.
Consumers often fall prey to psychological stimuli that cause them to act impulsively and rashly. Read here about scams on social media and the new CPC Regulation, which improves the warning system and enforcement of consumer offences in the EU.
If you bought a new car in a foreign EU Member State and want to transit it to your home country, you need a transit plate. The ECC-Net gathered all necessary information about national regulations in a new brochure.
18.09.2019 / ECJ ruling on reimbursement of costs
06.09.2019 / ECJ agrees with VKI
15.07.2019 / ECJ: Compensation from airline
Brexit is not just concerning international politicians. Fraudsters are now increasingly using the UK's exit from the EU for their schemes on the internet.
18.02.2019 / Simplification for EU citizens
30.01.2019 / EU modernises legal framework
The European General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, was implemented in Austria. We summarised the most important new rules for consumers.
03.12.2018 / Support for consumers
In time for the winter travel season, we present an overview over the different obligations regarding winter tires in Europe. The information was gathered and is provided by our Network of the European Consumer Centres (ECC-Net).
The Geoblocking Regulation prohibits discrimination against consumers on the basis of their nationality or place of residence when making cross-border purchases. This has applied EU-wide since 2018 to transactions concluded online as well as offline.
21.09.2018 / After complaints on EU level
Airbnb has to change its Terms & Conditions on the European market as they don't comply with the current EU law.
31.08.2018 / Deadline for changes
31.08.2018 / Rules in the EU
01.06.2018 / ECJ: Booking and place decisive
15.05.2018 / Deadline 20.05.
08.05.2018 / Was sich für Konsumenten getan hat
Since 1. April 2018, a new regulation of the EU regarding "cross-border portability of online content services" is in force. It enables consumers to use their subscriptions for movies, music or sport streaming services abroad like at home.
Whenever a parcel has to be sent cross-border, the price for its delivery would increase significantly - regardless of the actual distance. Many Europeans therefore avoid shopping in another country. The EU wants to change that and created new rules for parcel delivery services.
13.03.2018 / Dangerous toys
27.02.2018 / Agreement of all Member States
02.01.2018 / What 2018 brings
13.12.2017 / Good compliance of Austrian traders
21.11.2017 / Agreement among EU institutions
The European Commission is updating the European rules on rail passenger rights to better protect train travellers in case of delays, cancellations or discrimination.
14.06.2017 / New tool for consumers and businesses
12.06.2017 / No more charges within the EU
By clicking on „accept“, you explicitly consent to transfer data to the USA. Caution: The US does not ensure an comparable adequate level of protection like the EU. Due to surveillance laws such as FISA 702, Youtube (Google Inc) is obliged to hand over your personal data to US authorities. There is no adequacy decision of the European Commission for the transfer of data to the USA. Furthermore, Youtube (Google Inc) cannot offer appropriate safeguards for compliance with an adequate level of protection comparable to that of the EU. Hence, in the US you do not have enforceable data subject rights and effective legal remedies that are equivalent to the level of protection guaranteed within the EU.
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