This book offers an in-depth analysis of the function of certification in general and of certification systems in a range of different sectors. The authors examine certification from both a theoretical and a practical standpoint and from the perspectives of different disciplines, including law, economics, management, and the social sciences. They also discuss instruments that help ensure the quality of certification, which can range from public law measures such as accreditation, to private law incentives, to deterrents, such as liability towards victims. Further, they assess the role of competition between certification bodies. Readers will learn the commonalities as well as the necessary distinctions between certification bodies in various fields, which may stem from the different functions they serve. These similarities and differences may also be the result of different types of damage that the certified producer or service provider could potentially cause to individuals or to the public at large. Often, companies use certification bodies as an argument to assure the general public, e.g. regarding the safety of medical products. Closer inspection reveals, however, that sometimes certification bodies themselves lack credibility. The book offers essential information on the benefits and pitfalls associated with certification.

This is the first book to comprehensively analyze the work of Hans Micklitz, one of the leading scholars in the field of EU economic law. It brings together analysts, academic friends and critics of Hans Micklitz and results in a unique collection of essays that evaluate his work on European Economic Law and Regulation. The contributions discuss a wide range of Micklitz' work: from his theoretical work on private law beyond party autonomy, with a special focus on its regulatory function, to the illustration of how his work has built the basis for current solutions such as used in solving the financial crisis. The book is divided into sections covering foundations of private law, regulatory law, competition and intellectual property law, product safety law, consumer contract law and the enforcement of law. This book clearly shows the enormous impact of Hans Micklitz' work on the EU legal system in both scholarship and practice.

Effective regulation of consumer credit in modern society is an ever-changing challenge. As new forms of credit emerge in free societies, regulation often lags behind. This volume explores contemporary problems related to the regulation of consumer credit in market economies with a focus on credit extended to the most vulnerable and poorest members of the community. Written by experts in the field of consumer credit regulation from Europe, North America, Australia and South Africa, the book examines some of the most important consumer credit issues facing consumers today and proposes innovative ways to protect the consumer interest in those markets.

This is the first book to comprehensively analyze the work of Hans Micklitz, one of the leading scholars in the field of EU economic law. It brings together analysts, academic friends and critics of Hans Micklitz and results in a unique collection of essays that evaluate his work on European Economic Law and Regulation. The contributions discuss a wide range of Micklitz' work: from his theoretical work on private law beyond party autonomy, with a special focus on its regulatory function, to the illustration of how his work has built the basis for current solutions such as used in solving the financial crisis. The book is divided into sections covering foundations of private law, regulatory law, competition and intellectual property law, product safety law, consumer contract law and the enforcement of law. This book clearly shows the enormous impact of Hans Micklitz' work on the EU legal system in both scholarship and practice.

Effective regulation of consumer credit in modern society is an ever-changing challenge. As new forms of credit emerge in free societies, regulation often lags behind. This volume explores contemporary problems related to the regulation of consumer credit in market economies with a focus on credit extended to the most vulnerable and poorest members of the community. Written by experts in the field of consumer credit regulation from Europe, North America, Australia and South Africa, the book examines some of the most important consumer credit issues facing consumers today and proposes innovative ways to protect the consumer interest in those markets.

EU consumer law is the core of European civil law. In recent years, in particular between the first edition of 2009 and this second edition, it has been subject to spectacular decisions by the Court of Justice of the European Union, with significant consequences for Member States' law. This revised and thoroughly updated new edition follows and analyses this process in such important areas as unfair commercial practices, unfair terms, cross-border consumer protection, and product liability. There has been legislation in the area of consumer rights in distance and off-premise contracts, and very recently consumer ADR and ODR. Other projects are still in the pipeline, e.g. mortgage credit; another is subject to heated controversy, namely the proposed optional Common European Sales Law with an important part on consumer law. Even more importantly, the very concept of consumer and consumer protection has been subject to intense debate. Does EU law limit itself to the 'informed consumer standard', or should the 'weaker' or even the 'vulnerable consumer standard' be given more attention? The original team of authors Hans W.- Micklitz, Norbert Reich and Peter Rott have been strengthened by the addition of Klaus Tonner. They have worked together to take a broad horizontal approach to the EU consumer law acquis, thereby reflecting on the history, achievements, recent trends and also shortcomings of EU law in this important field of law. The change from 'minimum' to 'full' or 'targeted harmonisation' is critically analysed, and the central role of the CJEU documented and emphasised.'This book, distilling insight from a much longer volume originally in German, offers a clear and authoritative survey of EU law developments.'Luke Nottage in Australian Journal of Competition and Consumer Law (2016)About the first edition of this book:'[...] a publication of which the importance is high, also for the development of law in general'In Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Burgerlijk Recht 5 (2009) 194'[...] stimulating, challenging and well-researched.'Angus Johnston in Common Market Law Review (2010) 956'[...] the book provides a concise and up-to-date overview of European Consumer Law.'Jan Schurnbrand in RabelsZ 74 (2010) 891'[...] certainly an important accomplishment.'Marco B.M. Loos in 2011 ZEuP 447