The new consumer credit directive: a feasible attempt at harmonisation?

Amparo San José, Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels

The European Commission has recently presented (11/09/2002) a proposal for a directive on the harmonisation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions concerning credit for consumers. Such directive intends to “…pave the way for a more transparent market, a more effective market and to offer such a degree of protection to consumers that the free movement of offers of credit can occur under the best possible conditions both for those who offer credit and those who require it”.