German Government Approves Consumer Protection Plan
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Germany’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a wide-ranging plan that calls for greater transparency and information for the country’s consumers. Up to now, Germany’s center-left coalition of Social Democrats and Greens focused mostly on food safety when discussing consumer protection. But the heart of a new consumer affairs proposal from German Consumer Protection Minister Renate Künast focuses on better information for consumers. “We basically want to strengthen consumers as equal partners in market participation, so that they can act on their own behalf. Information is the basic building block for making independent decisions. Freedom of choice and information belong together,” said Künast, Specifically, the plan says authorities should be able to warn consumers as soon as they have a well founded suspicion of a health threat from foods, cosmetics or other consumer goods. Currently, proof is needed before a warning can be issued. Künast’s plan also calls for greater consumer protection from shady financial-services companies, more transparency in home building, and more clarity in child-care and health-care contracts. More : dw-world.de |