European Union law ensures a fair deal for all

Our rights as consumers are ones we often take for granted. Many of us purchase something we are undecided on safe in the knowledge we can return it, or we check labelling on food so we know what we are eating.

Whether it is clothes, mobile phones or package travel, European law ensures we all get the same fair deal and have the same protections no matter where in the European Union we make our purchases. And these rights apply whether you buy goods and services in a shop or online. You can stay at home and buy goods from the 27 other member states with the same safety net as on your local high street.

To ensure you are not ripped off, the consumer rights directive requires consumer contracts to have clear and unambiguous rules. This directive also means those annoying pre-ticked boxes when purchasing online, which can mislead consumers into buying additional services, are banned; you can change your mind as the cooling-off period for internet and telephone purchases is 14 days and charges for using a credit or debit card have to be based on the actual cost. Firms with customer hotlines are not able to use expensive premium numbers for customer queries and complaints.

Products are safer – particularly for our children – thanks to the EU. Producers must only place safe goods on the market and are liable for any injury or damage caused when their products are defective. Toys, including non-EU imports, must meet strict EU safety standards.

And it is not just physical items bought from stores which are protected – European legislation also gives air passengers who find themselves stranded or otherwise hung out to dry huge levels of protection. You can get money back if your flight is late, cancelled or if you are bumped off it.

When you land, you can enjoy hassle-free holidays as tour operators must provide comprehensive and accurate information about package holidays and must accept responsibility when the services they provide go wrong.

Digital and telecoms are also covered. Digital downloads must cost the same in all EU countries and the cost of using your phone will soon be the same as at home. Work is ongoing to ensure services such as iPlayer can also be used while travelling in the EU. Driving down costs and making it easier to travel is what being in the EU is all about.

Although it is not quite peace among our nations, the consumer benefits of the EU are not insignificant and there is plenty more to come. I hope voters consider this on 23 June.

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Catherine Stihler MEP is vice-chair of the European parliament committee on internal market and consumer protection

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