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• European Consumer Centre Network in Europe (ECC-Net)
• European Consumer Centres (ECC) in Poland
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European Consumer Centres Network in Europe (ECC-Net)...

In Europe without borders, with the rising activity of enterprises and consumers there is a need for a generally-European exchange of information and consulting. In order to solve quickly, inexpensively and efficiently the cross-border disputes in countries belonging to the European Union, Norway and Island, there exist European Consumer Centres (ECC) associated into one net ECC-Net.

European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) s a new, covering the whole European Union, Norway and Island, network founded in order to advise the citizens on the issues of their consumer rights and organise an easy access to compensation procedures, especially in cross-border cases. A new network was founded in 2005 in the result of merging two previously existing networks: European Consumer Centres, in other words referred to as "Euroguichets", which made the information available and provided support in cross-border cases and European Extra Judicial Network (EEJ-Net)

Tasks of European Consumer Centre Network

• Informing consumers about the possibilities which are created by Unified Market of the European Union;
• Aid in solving individual problems/consumer complaints related to cross-border transactions;
• Helping consumers in using extra-court procedures of disputing settlement of the pan-European scope;
• Help in easy and aware use of these procedures in cross-border context;
• Cooperation inside the network as well as with other European networks such as:FIN-NET (Financial Network), SOLVIT and European Judicial network in civil and commercial matters;
• Providing information on domestic and E.U legislation and jurisdiction;
• Providing comparative analyses within prices, legislation and other issues which are significant for consumers;
• Providing for the European Commission information on consumer problems in the E.U.

ECC - Net The European Consumer Centre Network operates on the territory of the European Union, Norway and Island. Presently, the ECC offices are located in 23 countries. In 2006 there is planned the opening of further 4 centres.

History of the development of European Consumer Centres Network
European Centres Network (ECC-Net)

European Consumer Centres Network, commonly called Euroguichets in countries belonging to the European Union, has been existing since 1992. These entities were conducting information, advisory and promotional campaign in the area of consumer issues. ECC-net aimed at breaking the ice among consumers in relation to active participation in Unified European Market.

In the time of free flow of goods, people, services and finances, the E.U market creates many possibilities which are more and more often used by the citizens of Europe. Especially within:

1. purchase of goods by consumers and exchange of services within conducted travels,
2. purchase of goods or ordering services at commercial representatives organising business trips in the E.U countries,
3. ordering and purchase of goods in other European countries by means of modern techniques of distance sale, especially by electronic way,
4. trading with money between countries in order to make payment for goods or make investment.

Additionally, a unified market requires systemising present domestic legal orders in order to harmonise law and efficient consumer protection irrespectively of the country of residence within the E.U. The activities of ECC allow for identification of new legal problems and give a fuller picture of problems, which the consumers are troubled with.

European Extra Judicial Network (EEJ-net)

In the E.U member states, Norway and Island since 2001 there has been developedEEJ-Net, which purpose was to help and advise consumers in the implementation of their rights within the disputes settlement of (cross-border cases). These centres were functioning as a network which allowed for effective exchange of information and effective actions. At first, it was an annual pilot project. Later on, it was prolonged until 2003.

The activity of EEJ-Net stood for informing consumers about the existence of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, out-of-court-settlement of consumer disputes), also including the aid in completion of complaint forms, gathering of required documents, indicating proper courts and finding legal ground, then monitoring the course of dispute. These were so-calledClearing House.

New stage in the organisation of aid to European consumers

At the beginning of 2005 there took place a merge of both above-described networks, i.e. ECC-Net z EEJ-Net. asks and projects conducted within certain networks were coordinated and entrusted to united network of European Consumer Centres.

European Consumer Centre (ECK) in Poland