New Waves in Domestic Consumer Protection

– Active Consumer Safeguards from the Perspective of Legislation and Professional Guidance

Abstract

The Ministry of Justice in Hungary assumes control of consumer protection expertise from 2022. The government’s consumer protection policy emphasises the protection of children and families, simplification and accessibility of dispute resolution procedures between consumers and businesses, ensuring effective cooperation between state authorities, and European Union legal harmonisation alongside environmental directive assurance. The pillars of task distribution include cooperating authorities, relevant government offices, conciliation bodies, as well as civil and advocacy organisations. The study, while outlining the structure
and tools of the domestic consumer protection system, presents the outstanding efficiency and importance of domestic conciliation bodies on an international level, providing insight into achievements within the framework of European Union legal harmonisation. The latter is worth following with special attention, as Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024, with the honourable task of promoting legislative processes to protect consumer interests.