Although many consumer policy decisions are made at the EU or national level, the German federal states also have an important role to play. On the one hand, state governments can contribute politically in the decision-making process at the EU and national levels. On the other hand, states take on a range of important functions in the areas of enforcement and consumer advise.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg has asked the question, what should the state's consumer policy look like for the years 2014-2020.
ConPolicy supported the Ministry in developing a consumer policy strategy through internal workshops and external stakeholder interviews. The main challenge in this project was to align the internal and external expectations and conditions.
The developed strategy consists of seven main fields of action:
- Conduct a consumer policy that focuses closer on the real needs of consumers
- Enforce consumer rights effectively and efficiently
- Promote transparency and a factual dialogue about risks
- Impart skills and knowledge for responsible consumption
- Promote sustainable production and consumption patterns
- Strengthen independent advice and support for consumers
- Enhance consumer rights
The strategy can be downloaded here.
