Background and contextualization of conformity of goods with the contract in EU consumer law

U radu se razmatraju pravna i komercijalna jamstva potrošačke robe u smislu Direktive 99/44/EZ Europskog parlamenta i Vijeća od 25. svibnja 1999. o određenim aspektima prodaje robe široke potrošnje i o jamstvima za takvu robu, s naglaskom na rationis legi predmetne direktive te kroz prizmu težine postizanja kompromisa između različitih pravnih tradicija, balansa između načela supsidijarnosti s jedne i ostvarenja ujednačenih tržišnih uvjeta na europskom prostoru s druge strane te ispravka narušene ravnoteže u snazi između trgovaca i potrošača. Najprije se izlažu pravne osnove primarnog prava, posebno s obzirom na opće ciljeve Unije, eurointegracijski proces te ključna načela kojima je regulirano zakonodavno djelovanje Unije. Pruža se pregled potrošačkih direktiva s područja ugovornog prava koje su pravno i praktično povezane s Direktivom 1999/44. Izlaže se koncept jedinstvenog tržišta i tržišnog natjecanja kao baza potrošačkog ugovornog prava. Analiziraju se instituti Direktive 1999/44 uz navođenje relevantne prakse Suda EU. Navode se nedostaci identificiranu tijekom dvadesetogodišnje primjene Direktive 1999/44. Analizira se da li su i u kojoj mjeri nedostaci Direktive 1999/44 uklonjeni Direktivom 2019/771 te se navode novine unesene istom.The paper discusses the legal and commercial guarantees for consumer goods within the meaning of Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and guarantees for such goods, with emphasis on rationis legi of directive concerned and through the prism of difficulty of reaching a compromise between different legal traditions, the balance between the principle of subsidiarity on the one hand and the achievement of uniform market conditions in Europe on the other, and the correction of the disturbed balance of power between traders and consumers. First, the legal bases of primary law are set out, in particular with regard to the general objectives of the Union, the European integration process and the key principles governing the legislative action of the Union. An overview of consumer directives in the field of contract law, which are legally and practically related to Directive 1999/44, is provided. The concept of the single market and competition as the basis of consumer contract law is presented. The institutes of Directive 1999/44 are analyzed, citing the relevant case law of the Court of Justice. The shortcomings identified during the 20 years of application of Directive 1999/44 are stated. It analyzes whether and to what extent the shortcomings of Directive 1999/44 have been eliminated by Directive 2019/771 and states the novelties introduced by the same