The revised directive[1] increases consumer protection as it makes clear that appliances can be sold only if they do not endanger the health and safety of persons under conditions of use which can be reasonably foreseen. MEPs also agreed to strengthen market surveillance activities in order to avoid dangerous products being placed on the market.

ANEC Secretary-General, Stephen Russell, remarked, “We are delighted legislators have heeded our call to take real consumer behaviours into account when setting safety requirements. We believe consumers can be effectively protected only if their (foreseeable) behaviours are reflected by manufacturers in product design. If manufacturers are allowed to rely on the concept of “intended use”, as laid down in the instructions for use of a product, consumers who are too young to read, or have a reading impairment, are at a higher risk of being exposed to harm or injury”.

“We also welcome the need for standards supporting this Directive to address the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities. ANEC is committed to ensuring technical standards ensure the safety of all consumers, regardless of age or ability”, concluded Mr Russell.
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[1] European Parliament legislative resolution of 5 February 2014 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (recast) (COM(2011)0773 – C7-0427/2011 – 2011/0357(COD))
ENDS
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About ANEC
ANEC is the European consumer voice in standardisation, defending consumer interests in the processes of technical standardisation and conformity assessment, as well as related legislation and public policies.
ANEC was established in 1995 as an international non-profit association under Belgian law and is open to the representation of national consumer organisations in 33 countries.
ANEC is funded by the European Union and EFTA, with national consumer organisations contributing in kind. Its Secretariat is based in Brussels.
 
Raising standards for consumers
European association for the coordination
of consumer representation in standardisation aisbl
Avenue de Tervuren 32, box 27, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 743 24 70 / Fax: +32 2 706 54 30
E-mail: anec@anec.eu
EC Register of Interest Representatives:
Identification number 507800799-30
www.anec.eu
http://companies.to/anec/