Consumer protection

"Consumer policy must create transparency, ensure legal certainty and guarantee health protection."(Federal Minister Ilse Aigner)

Prior to a purchase or signing a contract consumers must be able to recognise with a reasonable degree of effort the benefits and consequences of their purchasing decision. Information and transparency are the basic preconditions for markets that function well. What are also needed are balanced rights and effective law enforcement as well as justified confidence in safe products and services.

The BMELV is committed to ensuring that the framework conditions for appropriate consumer rights, for protection against deception and misleading information are up to date. This applies to the most diverse areas: from insurance law over the Internet down to passenger rights. With the Consumer Information Act (VIG), the BMELV has created an effective instrument for more information and greater market transparency. This Act gives everyone the right to request information on food, feed and everyday consumer goods from the competent public authorities.