Verbraucherschutz

The aim of consumer protection is to protect people in their role as consumers from the harmful or detrimental effects of consumer goods and services.

Consumer protection is commonly divided into two areas: so-called economic and so-called health-related consumer protection.

There is no specific law for issues of economic consumer protection. Here, the respective problem and the contractual agreements determine the possibilities of enforcing your rights as a consumer.

In the area of health-related consumer protection, there is a legal entitlement that you as a consumer may only be offered food, cosmetic products and consumer goods that are safe in terms of health and use.

The Consumer Information Act (VIG) came into force on May 1, 2008. Since then, the food monitoring authorities of the federal states have been obliged to provide consumers with information. This right to information has been extended by the amendment to the Act since September 2012. In future, consumers will not only be able to obtain information about food, animal feed and consumer goods, cosmetics or wine, but also about technical consumer products within the meaning of the Product Safety Act, such as household appliances, furniture or DIY products.

Responsibility lies with the district, the independent city, the Hanover region and the JadeWeser Veterinary Office.

Consumer protection tasks are coordinated by the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (Laves). The consumer advice centers also provide advice and answer all questions relating to consumer protection.