The draft directive was proposed together with a proposal on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers as part of the ‘New Deal for Consumers’ launched by the Commission in 2017.


Under the directive, national authorities will in particular have the power to impose a fine of at least up to four percent of a trader’s turnover for widespread cross-border infringements when enforcing the unfair commercial practices directive, the consumer rights directive and the unfair contract terms directive.


There will also be the right to individual remedies for consumers when they are harmed by unfair commercial practices, such as aggressive marketing, and provided that these remedies are proportionate, effective and do not affect the application of other remedies available to consumers under EU or national law.


It will also allow for more transparency for consumers in online marketplaces.


The Romanian Presidency of the Council will now explore with the European Parliament the possibility of agreeing to adopt the directive at first reading.