Eurobarometer 60.0 (Sep 2003)

Consumer rights. Data protection. Education through sport. Product
safety. E-commerce. Attitudes towards people with disabilities. Euro.

This Eurobarometer is focusing on public opinion in the following
major areas: consumer rights, personal data protection, education
through sport, product safety, e-commerce, persons with disabilities,
and national currency.

Topics: Respondents were asked about opportunities to settle disputes
with a seller or service provider including actions taken to settle
dispute and type of product or service. A number of questions asked
regarded the current justice system including the respondents´ level of
trust in the system, areas that need improvement, and what resources
are available to protect consumer rights. Respondents were also asked
about whether they were concerned with the privacy of their personal
data. Questions sought the respondents´ level of trust in national
organizations, opinion of what data protection laws should entail, and
whether they had used tools or technology to protect personal data.
Respondents were also asked about their participation in sports
activities. Questions included how often they perform recreational
activities, where they exercise, what are the benefits and values of
sports, and what are the anticipated outcomes due to the negative
aspects of sports. Regarding safety instructions, respondents were
asked if they purchase domestic electrical appliances. A number of
questions focused on product safety information. Respondents were asked
whether they read and obey the information provided on the product,
whether the information impacted their purchase and/or use of the
product, and the most effective way to provide product instructions.
Several questions asked the respondent to recognize safety symbols
labeled on the product, the symbol´s effectiveness, and whether it
impacted their purchase decision. Respondents were also asked whether
they purchased products on the internet, how often, concerns regarding
their internet transactions, why they purchased online, and from what
Web sites they purchased. Other questions asked regarded the security
of internet transactions including the respondents knowledge of
consumer rights, internet security, protection laws concerning internet
purchases, who they contacted if help was needed, and their past
experience with complaints on internet transactions. Respondents were
also asked questions about persons with disabilities including
knowledge of European programs for persons with disabilities, their
knowledge of various types of disabilities, and their view of persons
with disabilities. Lastly, respondents in the euro-zone, were asked
questions that pertained to national currency including how pleased
they were with the establishment of the Euro as the universal currency.
Demography: Age, gender, marital status, nationality, left-right
political self-placement, age at completion of education, occupation,
household income group, type and size of locality, and region.