Consumer policies from the viewpoint of economics

In his lecture of 4 September 2003 at the Consumer Policy Conference of the SPD Bundestag caucus, Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Sinn argued for a consumer protection policy with a strong emphasis on information. It would be advisable for the state to make stronger use of consumer organisations such as Stiftung Warentest, TÜV and similar institutions. However, not only national quality standards but also harmonised EU standards should be established and be complemented by better information systems that member states could erect on their own.