European Commission continues two infringement procedures against Ireland in the field of consumer protection

The European Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion to Ireland (INFR(2023)0021), Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Poland for failing to transpose the EU rules laid down by the Representative Actions Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/1828).

The Directive requires Member States to allow designated consumer organisations and public bodies bring legal actions against traders' illegal practices on behalf of consumers. Consumers that have been harmed by an illegal commercial practice may seek redress such as compensation, replacement or repair.

In January 2023, the Commission sent letters of formal notice to 24 Member States for failing to notify national measures fully transposing the Directive by the deadline of 25 December 2022.

After exchanges with these Member States and careful analysis of their responses, the Commission has concluded that Estonia, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Poland have not provided satisfactory information on the measures transposing the Directive. These six Member States now have two months to address the shortcomings identified by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to refer them to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The European Commission has also decided to send reasoned opinions to Ireland (INFR(2022)0309), Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Netherlands and Poland for failing to transpose the EU rules on the accessibility of products and services for persons with disabilities (Directive (EU) 2019/882) into their national law.

The European Accessibility Act requires key products and services such as phones, computers, e-books, banking services and electronic communications to be accessible for persons with disabilities. This will help increase active participation in society, including in education and in employment, as well as more autonomy and mobility opportunities of people with disabilities, representing at least 87 million European citizens. Businesses and services must ensure that they comply with a set of common EU accessibility requirements by 2025.

In July 2022, the Commission had sent letters of formal notice to 24 Member States and in April 2023 to another three Member States for failing to communicate measures fully transposing the Directive.

Today, the Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, the Netherlands and Poland for failing to notify their transposition measures. These five Member States have now two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer them to the Court of Justice of the European Union. 

More information:

July Infringements package: key decisions