Direção Geral do Consumidor

The Directorate-General for Consumers' mission is to contribute to the elaboration, definition and implementation of consumer protection policy with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection.

Main atributions

- Collaborate in the definition and execution of the consumer protection policy, namely through the assessment of regulatory needs, the issuing of opinions on legislative initiatives, the presentation of legislative proposals or other measures in this area, and the promotion of the transposition and application of the European legislation;

- Contribute so that the rights and interests of consumers are considered in the definition and execution of other Government policies;

- Boost the Consumer Protection System and the coordination of activities carried out by public and private entities integrated in this System, namely by monitoring the activity of consumer associations, consumer dispute arbitration centers, other extrajudicial mechanisms for resolving these litigation and municipal information centres;

- Inform consumers about the rights they hold and about the legislation that protects their interests;

- Promote and carry out information, education and training actions for consumers, namely in articulation with the competent services of the Ministry of Education and Science, raising awareness among consumers for the exercise of their rights and duties;

- Promote, on its own initiative or together with other public or private entities, the dissemination of information about products and services that may affect the health and well-being of consumers, as well as the rights they hold, and disseminate the systems information on dangerous products established by the European Union or other international organizations;

- Participate in the joint activities and actions of the European Union and international organizations related to the scope of their attributions, namely by monitoring the European legislative process, promoting the connection to European and international cooperation networks in consumer protection and the conclusion of international agreements and conventions, without prejudice to the competences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;