After seven years at the European Commission, why join the European Consumer Centre (ECC)?
Europe has always been a career objective. In Luxembourg, I’m involved in the practical implementation of what is done at institutional level.
How do you present the ECC’s activities to someone who has never heard of it?
We are there to help resolve consumer problems with a cross-border dimension. In Luxembourg, we are exposed to this issue more often than elsewhere.
You are taking over from Karin Basenach, who has held the post since the early 2000s. What are your first projects?
Thanks to Karin, the centre is running perfectly well. The team dynamic among the eleven employees is good, as are the figures. At the end of October, we had 3,756 questions or disputes submitted to our experts, who are all multi-skilled. A favourable trend. Last year, we reached the figure of €800,000 in amounts safeguarded, i.e., the money ‘given back’ to consumers who have referred a case to the ECC. In 2017, the figure was 340,000 euros. It’s an honour to work for the public interest. The priority is to ensure continuity.
What is the ECC’s number one strength?
Its network, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year. Created 35 years ago, the ECC Luxembourg preceded it. It is one of the oldest. We collaborate with our colleagues in the member states, as well as with Norway, Iceland and the UK ECC. Neighbouring ECCs come to us as much as we come to them. There are large companies in the country, and we get a lot of questions.
How have European consumer protection rules evolved in recent years?
The European Commission keeps in close touch with what’s going on. The AI Act is having an impact, the Digital Market Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) are having an impact. Studies are underway on what we already have in terms of law, how it can be improved and where we are heading. The European Consumer Agenda comes to an end next year. The European Commission’s aim is to propose a new one, as mentioned in president Ursula von der Leyen’s letter to the commissioners.
Is the European regulatory thicket that most entrepreneurs denounce a reality for the ECC too?
The purpose of legislation is not to annoy us, but to ensure that we are protected.
What influence does the ECC have with the European Commission, which is also one of its main financial backers?
We have very good contact with the European Commission representation. The network, for its part, is a point of contact for key issues at every national level.
What challenges remain?
The most important, in my view, is to continue to inform consumers about the rights they have to protect themselves.
Europe at the heart
Originally from Nantes, Thomas Segrétain, 35, became a convert to Europe when he was a student on an Erasmus course in Germany. He spent some time as a parliamentary assistant in the French Senate, before joining the European Commission as a policy officer (disability, then tourism) in 2017.
This article was written in for the magazine, published on 11 December. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the website to contribute to the full Paperjam archive. .
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