Ochrana spotřebitele v Evropské unii

Abstract

This bachelor thesis deals with consumer protection within the European Union. It aims to assess the effectiveness of current measures by analysing available data and to contribute to a deeper understanding of the importance of consumer protection in the European context. Particular attention is paid to the awareness of consumers of their rights, the possibilities of defence and the ways in which these rights are exercised in practice. The introductory part of the thesis focuses on the definition of key concepts and a summary of the development of consumer protection at national and EU level. This is followed by an overview of the areas where consumer protection is most prominent - complaints, distance contracts, misleading advertising, unfair commercial practices and unequal status of consumers in contractual relations. The practical part is based on the monitoring of the number of notifications in the Safety Gate and RASFF systems and a questionnaire survey among consumers on their awareness and experience of infringements. The thesis concludes by proposing measures to improve the current situation, in particular increasing legal awareness, simplifying complaints processes and improving access to legal aid. The need for a balanced relationship between consumer protection and freedom of enterprise is also stressed.