For 20 years, the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) has promoted consumer rights in the EU and advised consumers on cross-border issues. To mark this anniversary, the website eccnet.eu/20years has been launched, bringing together the network’s most important projects, reports and achievements. Throughout the year, the website will also feature highlights from all 29 centres – with ECC Finland among the first ones presented.
The English-language site introduces ECC-Net’s joint projects and publications in five-year periods, starting from 2005. Among them:
- Improving air passenger rights and issuing recommendations for regulatory developments.
- Increasing transparency in the car rental sector.
- Tackling subscription traps and misleading marketing practices.
- A comparative study of the effectiveness of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
- Addressing challenges in e-commerce, such as counterfeits, non-transparent pricing and geo-blocking.
- Promoting the right to repair consumer products.
- Developing the Car-Pass system to prevent odometer fraud.
- Educational material for young people on consumer protection in the digital age.
The site also showcases ECC-Net’s stakeholder work, including position papers and studies that have influenced legislation, business practices and consumer education across various themes.
Highlights from national European Consumer Centres
During 2025, the website will also publish short highlights from all 29 national centres. The first publication features ECC Romania, ECC Finland, ECC Germany and ECC Italy: ECC Highlights Througout the Years – Part 1 | European Consumer Centers Network
ECC-Net continues its work to strengthen consumer rights, especially in the fast-changing digital environment. Consumer needs, everyday challenges and legislative developments will guide the network’s activities also in the future. Important directions will be provided by the European Commission’s new Consumer Agenda 2025–2030, for which a public consultation has just opened and will run until 11 August 2025.
ECC-Net operates in the EU Member States, Norway and Iceland. The European Consumer Centres provide free advice and assistance to consumers when they encounter problems with a trader based in another EU country, Norway or Iceland. Each year, the centres handle over 130,000 contacts, providing the European Commission and enforcement authorities with unique insights into consumer needs and recurring issues such as air passenger rights and e-commerce challenges. In Finland, the European Consumer Centre is part of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.
Discover the anniversary website and follow the work of the European Consumer Centres Network!
eccnet.eu/20years