Abstract:

Consumer protection in European Union law remained on the margins of Community policy for a long time, which stemmed from the prevailing belief in the effectiveness of free market mechanisms and the rationality of the consumer. The initial actions of Community institutions in this area lacked a treaty foundation. It was only in the late 1980s that consumer protection was incorporated into primary law as an autonomous objective of Community policy. From that moment on, protective regulations began to be introduced. Unfortunately, these regulations are currently too detailed, creating legal and practical problems.