Consumers are increasingly facing risks in the online environment, from non-compliant products to insecure digital services or deceptive commercial practices. In this context, more efficient measures are needed to protect consumer rights. The statement was made by the executive director of the Soros Foundation Moldova, Daniela Vidaicu, at the international scientific conference “Reconfiguring consumer protection in the digital age: theoretical and practical challenges”, held in Chisinau, reports IPN.
“Consumer rights protection in Moldova must become a practical and visible priority, especially in the context of European integration and the opening of the market to goods and services from the EU,” said Daniela Vidaicu.
Marcella Janka Molnar, Program Officer of the Delegation of the European Union in Moldova, mentioned that an efficient consumer protection system is not just about recognizing rights, but it involves ensuring the fair and equitable functioning of the single market. According to her, Moldova is firmly committed to strengthening the role of consumers and protecting their interests.
The Rector of the “Stefan cel Mare” Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dinu Ostavciuc, stated that the institution supports the organization of the conference, in order to encourage cooperation between the academic environment, authorities, and civil society, with the aim of identifying solutions that ensure transparency and respect for consumer rights.
And the executive director of the European Consumer Centre in Moldova, Mihaela Pascal, emphasized that, with the expansion of online commerce and the digitalization of services, consumer rights are increasingly crossing national borders. Under these circumstances, it is important for people to have legal and institutional mechanisms at their disposal, which allow them to make informed choices and defend their rights.
The event is attended by over 250 specialists in the legal, economic, and public policy fields from Moldova and other countries. Approximately 100 participants are physically present, while about 150 participate online. The conference is organized by the European Consumer Centre of Moldova and the “Ștefan cel Mare” Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the context of World Consumer Rights Day, marked annually on March 15.
The event takes place within the project “Strengthening the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented by the Independent Analytical Center “Expert-Grup”, in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, with the support of the European Union and the Soros Foundation Moldova.
