On February 10, 2025 took place a memorable interactive event in respect of a unique substantial activity. It was a truly memorable experience, confirming how important is to know what you want to achieve, creating an engaging environment, and enabling attendees to diligently contribute to the success of the event. Pro Consumers Association – “Asociația Pro Consumatori” (APC Romania) – celebrated its 35th Anniversary on February 10, 2025 at the Capitol Hotel in Bucharest.

APC is a member of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation (founded in 1962). The video message of the Director General of BEUC, Mr. Agustin Reyna (who, among other aspects, developed BEUC’s competition law practice), was presented on the occasion of this 35th Anniversary of APC Romania. Also, APC’s excellence in consumer protection and education was again honored with a Diploma of Special Merit as a prestigious recognition for its demonstrated professionalism, responsibility and devotion on serving consumers. A “Laudatio” has been presented on this occasion by the President of the Board of Directors of the Romanian Distribution Committee scientific association (RDC), APC Romania being a founding member of RDC, and APC President Mr. Costel Stanciu being both an Honorary Member of RDC, and a Member of the Board of Directors of RDC. Reference was made in this context to the roundtable entitled “Consumer protection and the pressure of economic and societal changes: the digital revolution; the sustainable consumption; the social exclusion, the vulnerable consumers and the accessibility” (organized on May 28, 2014 by the Romanian-American University in collaboration with the Romanian Distribution Committee, the Romanian Competition Council and APC Romania). On that occasion it was highlighted that U.S. President John F. Kennedy was the first world leader to formally recognize consumer rights, giving in 1962 the well-known speech to U.S. Congress and promoting four basic rights of consumers (the famous Consumer Bill of Rights).

APC Romania is continuing to inspire and promote a culture of learning, observation and assessment in order to effectively informing consumers, strengthening consumers’ capacity to turn a problem to their advantage, by solving it if possible before it occurs, considering the free choice an informed choice, and fine-tuning the relationship between consumer rights and business ethics, really stimulating consumer empowerment in today’s Omni channel world, including by considering recent evolutions at the EU level (https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/consumer-protection-law/review-eu-consumer-law_en).