Presentation given during the ICPEN workshops in Sidney, Australia, in Nov 09. It describes a common project carried out under the Consumer Protection Regulation with the goal of creating a network of internet investigators in consumer issues in Europe and a manual.

1. Common Project Investigation on the Internet Julio Cortés National Institute for Consumer Protection

2. Philippe Willhelmsen Sweden 59 years old

4. How can I find more information about a web site?

5. Where can I find additional contact details? What tools can I use? Who can help me in a different country?

6. Consumers Protection Regulation 2006/2004 Common Project INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET

7. 12 European Consumer Protection Authorities

8. OBJECTIVES Knowledge sharing Specific topic for investigation Informal network of investigators Manual for investigators Leaflet - proposal of web page

9. Opening conference Biarritz, France 4 Workshops Methodology Manual for Investigators Network of investigators Leaflet Information campaign Specific investigation

10. 1st Workshop Sofia, Bulgaria Sharing knowledge and experiences about methodologies of investigation on the internet

11. 2nd Workshop Lisbon, Portugal Future proposals for specific investigation

12. 3rd Workshop Paris, France Proposal for creation of an information campaign Rights of EU consumers on the internet

13. 4th Workshop Closure event Toledo Informal network of investigators Presentation of Manual for Investigators Conclussions

14. Main Outcomes Informal Network Of Investigations

15. Main Outcomes Manual for Investigators

16. How to gather information Learn about internet “ eBay” “ IP addres” “ DNS” “ WHOIS” “ Web Cache”

17. Training document: Staff from consumer protection authorities Knowledge sharing: Countries with specific units working on Internet investigation

18. Basic guidelines, methodology and tools to investigate a web site Objective: identification of trader Investigation of site itself External investigation: internet tools

19. 4 appendix: Common resources Resources in each country Directory of specialiced units Additional tools

20. Excellent tool for basic training of investigators and allows continuous knowledge sharing Live document: updated periodically

21. EU Comission Sweep Day 09 Sweep Day on Electronic Goods 27 authorities participating Test of Manual

22. Questionnaire about manual 20 Authorities replied 80% Found Manual Usefull

23. CONCLUSSIONS Common project: opened a chanel of communication among consumer protection authorities under umbrella of 2006/2004 regulation Manual for investigations: major tool to guide officials in charge of investigation Cooperation: help each other Increase the average level of protection that consumers receive among EU

24. Philippe Willhelmsen Sweden 59 years old

28. Julio Cortés National Institute for Consumer Protection http :// www.consumo - inc.es / http :// cec.consumo - inc.es /