On 18 April 2004 there was the official opening of the European Consumer Centre in Poland. Its main task is to provide information on consumer rights in specific countries of the European Union, as well as legal and organisational assistance concerning cross-border disputes. The Centre was set up pursuant to an agreement between the President of UOKiK and the European Commission

More and more frequently the consumers make purchases abroad - via Internet, direct sale companies, during tourist trips, etc. Such transactions bear a risk resulting from difficulties in filing claims, when the purchased goods prove to be defective or the service performed incorrectly. The consumer then encounters barriers in the form of language problems, a large distance to the seat of the enterprise and lack of knowledge of regulations in force in a given country.

Thus, in order to support consumers in exercising their rights in the Common Market and facilitate in practice the free flow of goods and services, it was necessary to create a network of European Consumer Centres. They function in almost all EU countries (in both old and new Member States), also in Norway and Iceland. Jointly the network comprises 27 ECCs.

The establishment of the Centre in Poland was one of the foundations of the Government’s Strategy of Consumer Policy 2004-2006. It was set up on 3 January 2005 pursuant to the agreement between the European Commission and the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. UOKiK provides almost one third of funds for the functioning of the Polish ECC.

The Centre carries out both European and national projects. Its main task is the provision of information on consumer rights in the European Union and legal assistance (drafting of complaints, sending of documents) and organisational assistance concerning cross-border disputes. The weaker market participants may obtain support in their claims from foreign enterprises or in an alternative resolution of the disputies. 

Information on how consumer cross-border disputes are solved can be found on the Internet page www.konsument.gov.pl, or obtained by e-mail (info@konsument.gov.pl), by telephone - (22) 55 60 115, 55 60 474, 55 60 479 - or by faks 22 55 60 359. Consumers may also file their complaints by mail. The ECC is located in the building of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw.

Additional information:

Grzegorz Brzozowicz

Director of ECC
Office of Competition and Consumer Protection
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Ph.: (+48 22) 55 60 114
E-mail: grzegorz.brzozowicz@konsument.gov.pl

Spokesperson of UOKiK
International Relations and Communication Department
Office of Competition and Consumer Protection
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Ph.: (+48 22) 827 28 92, 55 60 106, 55 60 314
E-mail: eanders@uokik.gov.pl