Fostering the awareness of fair commercial practices through ADR tools within Hungary

ongoing

Consumer protection ensures consumer rights, the regulation, the enforcement of the law-abiding behaviour of enterprises through official inspections, and the restoration of the damaged relationship between consumers and enterprises through the work of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) forums and conciliation bodies. The Budapest Conciliation Board (BCB) – operated by the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) –, as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) forum which helps consumers and businesses to settle their consumer disputes out of court since 1999. The primary goal of the project of BCB is to increase the reputation of the board, to raise and shape consumer awareness to provide educational information about consumer rights and obligations, as well as legal remedies, which could provide easier access to ADR options and to help to adapt the provided information correctly. In addition, we will promote a more efficient and uniform application of the law during the alternative dispute resolution procedure through the exchange of experiences between different national conciliation boards (the total number is eight). With the project to be implemented with EU funding, the aim is to encourage consumers to use the alternative dispute resolution procedure instead of lengthy litigation in the course of their potential consumer dispute. This will be achieved through a campaign tailored to the needs of a segmented target audience both at the level of citizens (1) Children and young people, (2) Pensioners, (3) People of active (working age), as well as companies. We are convinced that these procedures, in addition to having a favourable effect on the willingness of enterprises to cooperate, can reduce the incidence of unfair commercial practices and increase consumer’s trust in businesses and consumer protection organizations.