Consumer protection in the European Union and unfair commercial practices

The article aims to analyse selected aspects of consumer protection within the European Union concerning unfair commercial practices. The considerations focus on providing examples of unfair market practices based on Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005. A synthesis of unfair market practices in the European Union has also been made. Selected case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in this area has been presented. On the basis of the analysis, it has been found that when Member States do not apply EU law in the field of unfair commercial practices in an appropriate manner, the Court of Justice of the European Union interprets EU law. It also adjudicates legal disputes between EU governments and EU institutions, as well as cases of individuals, i.e. consumers, or consumer organizations who believe that their rights have been violated by EU institutions.