Vartotojų teisių apsauga sudarant viešąsias sutartis

Abstract

Consumer protection means a form of government regulation to protects consumer interests. Agreement for Services of General Economic Interest means an agreement concluded by a legal person (a business) with anybody who address for receive services of general economic interest (rail, communications, electricity, gas, water, etc). Consumer means a natural person who expressed his will to purchase goods or services for his personal, family of household needs. Consumer agreement means an agreement for goods or services concluded by a natural person with the seller not affiliated with the consumer's business. Services of general economic interest mean services provided by a major company for the public, such as gas, water, heating or any other service that is subject to general economic public interest. Consumer protection is a priority area for the European Union. This sector is rigidly regulated by EU and national legislation. Services of general economic interest are also on the EU priority list. These areas closely overlap and interact, affecting directly every one of us. Legislation regulating consumer protection and services of general interest are set to ensure the protection of consumer rights in concluding agreements for services of general economic interest. The vast multitude and complexity of legislation does not mean consumer rights are fully protected. Still-powerful natural monopolies in heating, electricity and other related sectors of general interest are not interested in providing quality services and ensuring consumer tights. The inconsistent and controversial case law in Lithuania serves as an example of inadequate protection of consumer right in this country. Some court rulings make one wonder whether they are based on legal, rather than political or lobbyist considerations. The state regulation of prices, lack of competition, the absence of consumer rights to choose only makes the situation worse. This country still does not have an efficient out-of-court institution to hear consumer cases. The ensurance of consumer rights requires joint efforts and interaction of the entire society, the authorities in improving the current legislation in this field. Competition and liberalized market of services of general economic interest are the best tools to ensure the protection of consumer rights in Lithuania.