(This note is not part of the instrument and does not purport to be legal interpretation).

These regulations implement Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 of the European Parliament and of the European Council on 12 December 2017 on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004.

The Council Regulation lays down the conditions under which competent authorities, having been designated by their Member States as responsible for the enforcement of the Union laws listed in the Annex to the Regulation, cooperate and coordinate actions with each other and with the Commission, in order to enforce compliance with those laws which will enhance the protection of consumers’ economic interests and ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market.

These regulations designate:

• The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as the Single Liaison Office for the purposes of co-ordinating the application of the Council Regulation between authorities in Ireland and other EU member states.

• The European Consumer Centre Ireland for the purpose of issuing external alerts under Article 27 of the Council Regulation.

• The Public Authorities in the State who are responsible for enforcing the Union laws listed in the Annex to the Council Regulation.

These regulations provide the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with the investigative and enforcement powers required under Article 9 of the Council Regulation and provide for the revocation of those S.I.s currently on the statute book which implemented Regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004 which has now been repealed.