The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer ... - BMELV

Strengthening the Position of Consumers
The BMELV 19
Consumer policy ensures safety and self-determination in order
to enable consumers to shape their consumer behaviour
themselves in our complex economy. This requires a regulatory
framework that strengthens the market position of consumers,
protects their health and prohibits deception and fraud.
Other issues of great concern to the Federal Ministry of Consumer
Protection are adequate consumer information and the
strengthening of everyday competencies, particularly of young
people.
If consumers can rely on being protected and are provided
with credible information, they can develop trust in products
and markets. This trust will prompt and influence purchasing
decisions. The purchasing decisions will, in turn, contribute to
controlling the market. Consumer policy is economic policy
seen from the demand side.
In the energy or telecommunications sector, consumers can already
choose between competing offers. In many areas of consumption,
Internet trade has complemented or replaced traditional
forms of shopping. Individual responsibility and private
pension plans for the old age, nursing and healthcare sector are
becoming increasingly important. These are important consumer
policy challenges that the Federal Ministry of Consumer
Protection is ready to face.