New deal for consumers: class action lawsuits raise doubts

"Class actions do not necessarily increase consumer protection. Only if they are done in the right way will individual consumers effectively get redress“, said Andreas Schwab MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, reacting to the proposed 'New Deal for Consumers' package presented today by the European Commission.

However, the proposal for more transparency in online sales is more than welcome: “While shopping online, it must be clear for consumers at first sight whether EU law applies or not. Consumers have the right to know if they are buying from a professional trader or a private person.”