News from the Centre for European Consumer Protection
The European single market offers a wide range of opportunities for the trade in goods and services – but it also presents consumers with increasing challenges that extend far beyond national borders. Whether it is non-transparent pricing when booking travel, flight cancellations or illegally installed software in vehicles, such cases clearly show that individual lawsuits are often inefficient in cases of mass damage and can overwhelm the courts.
Against this backdrop, effective cross-border enforcement is essential for a thriving European single market. With the introduction of the EU Directive on Representative Actions in 2020, the European Union has created a uniform legal framework for the enforcement of consumer rights for the first time, thereby taking on a pioneering role in consumer protection worldwide.
Nevertheless, many affected parties refrain from enforcing their claims in cross-border disputes, as legal hurdles, language barriers and uncertainties regarding legal and attorney fees often have a deterrent effect. Institutions such as the Centre for European Consumer Protection (ZEV) are intended to provide support in such cases and enable legal enforcement.
In April 2025, the ZEV became the first and so far only qualified entity in Germany to be authorised to enforce collective rights across borders. What does that mean? It means that the ZEV is authorised to bring class actions against companies in other EU countries, not only to obtain declarations, but also to enforce specific remedies, such as repayments or damages.
Collective enforcement enables consumers in similar cases to assert their rights collectively in court. This not only avoids costly individual proceedings, but also strengthens the legal position of those affected in the long term. In addition, uniform case law helps to avoid contradictory judgements and promotes legal certainty in Europe. Above all, however, it now gives access to legal protection to those who would previously have refrained from taking legal action due to an unfavourable cost-benefit ratio and low amounts of damages.
Further information on how the European Consumer Centre can strengthen your rights and support you in collective enforcement can be found here!
Veronika Reinbold, 04.08.2025
