Movimento Difesa del Cittadino

EU Legislative Interests

Consumer affairs at EU level is the main topic followed by MDC. In particular, on the 2nd of August 2017 MDC has participated in the Public consultation on the targeted revision of EU consumer law directives. On the 2nd of February 2016, MDC has participated in the survey about the empowering the national competition authorities to be more effective enforcers. On the 15th of February 2016, MDC has also presented to the EU Commission a legal opinion on regarding the notification received by the EU Commission on the proposed merger between the two Italian telephone operators H3G S.p.A. ("H3G") and WIND Telecommunications S.p.A ("WIND"). Public consultation on measures to improve further the effectiveness of the fight against illegal content online (Contribution ID: ef794b74-ceba-4826-9487-715cecfe0655 Date: 24/06/2018) Public consultation on the evaluation of Waste Water Treatment Directive urban (91/271 / EEC) (Contribution ID: 8b682248-12aa-4c6e-9a2b-4ee6d03e86b9 Date: 06/09/2018) Public consultation on excise duties applied to manufactured tobacco and the possible taxation of novel products (Contribution ID: 04e4e462-0b2d-4619-9b57-cbc9e9024eb5 Date: 30/08/2018) Distance marketing of services financial - assessment of EU rules (Contribution ID: e82c558f-0524-4486-9298-ba8e5263850c Date: 10/04/2019) European data strategy (Contribution ID: b13de4ea-9fc3-46db-be3b-4e462e80a9d0 Date: 09/05/2020) Digital Services Act package: open public consultation (Contribution ID: 555f9fae-7764-434e-8dea-3933e67f8026 Date: 01/07/2020) Purchases of alcohol and tobacco products in a other EU country (Contribution ID: 9bdff1e3-2877-498c-9208-340812ad019b Date: 31/01/2021) Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation Contribution ID: ce6267f3-9734-4f92-878d-d7e95981da63 Date: 18/02/2021 Public Consultation on the Sustainable Products Initiative Contribution ID: e290858a-3af5 4e3e-b43f-291d42f998d3 Date: 20/03/2021 04.04.23   Public consultation on the evaluation of the legislative framework for tobacco control 02.05.23   Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) Intermediate Evaluation 26.06.23   Public consultation on the evaluation of the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 05.07.23   Fitness Check of EU consumer law on digital fairness and the report on the application of the Modernisation Directive (EU) 11.10.23   Regulation on the sustainability of financial services 19.12.23   Proposal for the revision of the ADR Regulation 19.12.23   Proposal for the revision of the ADR Directive 14.02.24   Public consultation on Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 concerning the labelling of textile products 28.02.24   Product Safety - ways in which consumers and other stakeholders can report potentially dangerous products through the Safety Gate portal 25.03.24   Review of the Directive on car labelling (Directive 1999/94/EC) 08.04.24   Public consultation - programs on rights, equality, citizenship, and values (Rights, Equality and Citizenship; Europe for Citizens; and Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values) 22.04.24   Single Market Programme – Mid-term evaluation

Communication Activities

MDC main European projects: -Market Watch (2014 - 2017):co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme of the European Union. Sixteen civil society organisations from all across Europe have come together to form MarketWatch, campaign of testing everyday products in shops and online, MarketWatch will shine a spotlight on those manufacturers and retailers failing to follow EU regulations and depriving their customers of the energy savings they think they are getting. - EcoLife (2013 - 2016) -Ecological Lifestyles for CO2 Reductions- is an European Union funded project that aims inform and to give suggestions to European citizens on possible sustainable changes in their daily lifestyles to reduce CO2 and greenhouse effects and global warming. - Safer Internet Center – Generazioni Connesse (2012-2014): co-funded by the EU’s Directorate for Communications Networks, Content & Technology. Its aim is to develop awareness raising material, organize campaigns and information sessions for children and young people, parents, carers, social workers and teachers to enable children and young people to make responsible use of on-line technologies. The project is managed by the Instruction Minister, Save the Children and Telefono Azzurro, while MDC acts as implementing partner. - Adicae (2009) : co-funded by the EU’s Directorate-General for Justice. It consisted on a European cycle of seminaries for the means of payment fraud prevention in collaboration with the Police and Judicial authorities consumers association and professional organizations. The purpose of the project was the prevention on fraud in means of payment, emphisizing to its transnational dimension and the assistance the victims of these crimes. - Periscope (2007-2010): co-funded by the EU's Executive Agency for Health and Consumers for the prevention of child obesity. Periscope as Pilot European Regional Interventions for Smart Childhood Obesity Prevention in Early Age aimed at challenging the increase of child obesity in 3 European countries: Italy, Denmark and Poland. - Consumer Law Ready (2022) is an EU-wide consumer law training programme for SMEs. Consumer Law Ready was developed by the EU to bring SMEs up to speed on important aspects of EU consumer law. As part of our commitment to align with EU policies on consumer protection and financial stability, the Movimento Difesa del Cittadino (MDC) has actively engaged in communication activities through our projects AlphaDebt and Debt Solve. These initiatives are designed to combat over-indebtedness—a significant issue affecting consumers across Europe. AlphaDebt focuses on educational programs that raise awareness about responsible financial management. We organize workshops, seminars, and informational campaigns to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent excessive debt. By promoting financial literacy, we aim to foster a culture of prudent economic behavior aligned with EU guidelines. Debt Solve provides personalized counseling and legal assistance to those already facing financial difficulties. Through this project, we help consumers navigate debt resolution processes, understand their rights under EU legislation, and access support mechanisms. Our services include one-on-one consultations, legal advice, and mediation with creditors.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Movimento Difesa del Cittadino According to law 281/98, MDC is member of CNCU (Italian National Committee of Consumers and Users). Link: https://www.mimit.gov.it/it/mercato-e-consumatori/tutela-del-consumatore/associazioni-dei-consumatori/cncu MDC is founder-member of Consumers’ Forum, association which aims to widespread ADR. Link: https://www.consumersforum.it/soci.html MDC is member of Arci Servizio Civile Link: http://www.arciserviziocivile.it/ascnetwork/roma/socipartner/ MDC is found member of CILD (Italian Coalition Freedom and Civil Rights) in the 2014. CILD is a network of non-governmental organizations and associations. Link: https://cild.eu/chi-siamo/#organisations

Organisation Members

MDC has a legal counseling department and is organized into departments that oversee the association's activities and deal with specific issues. There are over 100 local offices distributed across 18 regions that offer advice and assistance to members in disputes with the Public Administration, public and private service providers, contracts, bills, etc. The MDC local offices can be consulted at this link: https://www.difesadelcittadino.it/dove-siamo/