The European Consumer Center (ECC Romania), a department within the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC), recovered 225,000 euros for consumers in the first nine months of this year, according to a press release sent to AGERRES on Thursday.

According to the source, ECC Romania has competence in the amicable settlement of cross-border consumer disputes, respectively those disputes arising as a result of the purchase by a consumer resident in Romania of defective products/services from a trader based in another EU member state.

Also, ECC Romania has competence in resolving disputes arising as a result of the purchase by a consumer resident in another EU member state of defective products/services from a trader based in Romania.

During this period, ECC Romania processed approximately 4,700 requests received from Romanian consumers and 155 requests from consumers from other EU member states, including Norway, Iceland and Great Britain, sent through the European Consumer Centers from the states of residence of consumers.

The structure of the complaints received included five main areas, respectively: 37% transport (air, road, rail, naval and car rentals), 20% clothing and footwear, 11% various products and services (financial services, personal items – watches, jewelry, care products, other services), 10% furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance (appliances, furniture) and 9% recreation and culture (electronics, sporting goods, camping, pets, concerts, museums etc).

„Compared to the same period last year, the share of requests related to air transport services (flight cancellations or delays) registered a significant decrease, of about 15%, although they remain at the top of the list of domains that generate consumer complaints”, the press release reads.

At the same time, compared to the same reference period, „the number of requests for online purchases has increased significantly, whether we are talking about clothing and footwear, various services, personal items or household appliances”.

ECC Romania is part of the Network of European Consumer Centers (ECC-Net) which includes 29 centers from all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway.