Всяка година на 15 март отбелязваме Световния ден на потребителите, за бъдем по-осведомени за техните права и защита. Европейският парламент играе решаваща роля за защитата на правата на потребителите в целия Европейски съюз. Предвид всички над 450 милиона потребители в Съюза от съществено значение е да се гарантира справедливо отношение, прозрачност и безопасност на пазара. Нека разберем как правата Ви на потребител са защитени в Европейския съюз.

Световен ден на потребителите

To help consumers to make healthier food choices, the European Commission wants producers of foods and drinks to display clear nutritional information on the front-of-pack. But this may not be so simple… Some Member States have already introduced their own labelling schemes to mark “healthy” products but will the EU win the battle at European scale?

EPRS policy podcast - Nutrition labelling schemes used in Member States

The EU has some of the strongest rules on consumer protection in the world! But sometimes, it can be difficult to enforce them… So, what can you do, as European consumer, if you’re not getting value for money? Get to know your rights!

EPRS policy podcast - Enforcement of consumer protection

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in order to give it a new property. For example, this could be to make it easier for a plant to resist a disease, insects or drought, or to increase crop productivity.

The EU's GMO legislation stems from 1990 when the first two directives concerning GMOs came into force. Both original directives have since been updated, but the definition of a GMO has remained unchanged. This is causing problems for new techniques developed since then. New plant genetic modification techniques, referred to as 'gene editing' or 'genome editing', have evolved rapidly in recent years, allowing much faster and more precise results than conventional plant-breeding techniques. They are seen as a promising, innovative field for the agri-food industry, offering great technical potential.There is, however, considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated, and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/genetically-modified-organism-8th-parliamentary-term_6504_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Genetically modified organism

EU rules on product safety are defined in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Under the directive a product is safe if it meets all statutory safety requirements under European or national law. If there are no regulations or EU standards referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union, the product's compliance is determined according to other reference documents such as other European standards, national or international standards, Commission recommendations, or codes of practice. The General Product Safety Directive applies to consumer products when there are no specific provisions with the same objective in the rules of EU Law governing the safety of the products concerned. That means it applies totally to products such as child care articles or certain COVID-19 related products, such as sanitising gels and certain type of face masks and only residually to products where sectorial legislation exists such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Businesses must: only place products which are safe on the market, inform consumers of any risks associated with the products they supply, make sure any dangerous products present on the market can be traced so they can be removed to avoid any risks to consumers. MEPs want more stringent EU rules to protect children Existing rules and market surveillance activities should be strengthened to ensure the safety of all toys sold on the EU market, including from non-EU countries and online.

In March 2023 MEPs, also endorsed the revised rules on product safety of non-food consumer products. The new regulation aligns the existing General Product Safety Directive with the latest developments in digitalisation and the surge in online shopping.

In this Plenary MEPs are set to vote on their position on a proposal to revamp EU legislation on toy safety. The update of the current directive aims to respond to the increase in online shopping and the use of digital technologies, among other challenges. The proposed regulation extends EU bans on harmful chemicals in toys to include endocrine disruptors and makes it easier for consumers to access safety information, for example via a QR code.

Consumer product safety

The common agricultural policy (CAP) is one of the oldest common policies in the EU. Its significance is reflected in the proportion of the EU's budget devoted to it, representing approximately 40% of the total. Developed at a time when Europe was unable to meet most of its own food needs, it was necessary to encourage farmers to produce food by means of guaranteed prices. The policy has undergone regular reform and has evolved over the years.

As part of the preparation of the EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission put forward a new set of regulations to shape the future CAP on 1 June 2018. The proposal for a regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the CAP provides the legislative framework for adapting the financing, management and monitoring rules to a new CAP delivery model.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/common-agricultural-policy-8th-parliamentary-term_6503_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Common agricultural policy (2019-2020)

Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the disruption of Russian gas supplies has led to skyrocketing electricity prices and market volatility, leading the Commission and member states to consider new policy options such as capping prices or decoupling of gas and electricity prices. In recent months, Parliament and Council have adopted an&nbsp;emergency plan for filling gas reserves.

The Commission has also launched the&nbsp;RepowerEU&nbsp;plan to reduce the&nbsp;dependency from Russia, diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation as well as&nbsp;EU-wide gas consumption reduction measures.

This can&nbsp;reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of the year. The EC came with proposals how to deal with the problem during the SOTEU speech of Ursula von der Leyen.

European Union countries agreed on 30th September on series of meeasures, including energy levies on windfall profits of energy companies or binding targets to reduce electricity consumption.

Energy prices

Following political agreement with the Council, a vote in plenary on 2 October 2018 saw Parliament adopt the updated EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), based on the proposal presented by the Commission on 25 May 2016.

The overarching goal of the proposal was to bring about a balance between competitiveness and consumer protection. It therefore aimed to introduce flexibility when restrictions only applicable to TV are no longer justified, promote European films, protect minors and tackle hate speech more efficiently. The proposal also reflected a new approach to online platforms. Following adoption of the revised directive, EU Member States now have to bring the new rules into national law by 19 September 2020.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive

Launched on 20 May 2020, the 'Farm to Fork' strategy put forward the EU’s ambition for making its food system a model of sustainability at all stages of the food value chain.

This strategy is at the heart of the Green Deal. It addresses comprehensively the challenges of sustainable food systems and recognises the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet. Ensuring a sustainable livelihood for primary producers, who still lag behind in terms of income, is essential for the success of the recovery and the transition.

The Farm to Fork strategy aims to accelerate our transition to a sustainable food system that should have neutral and positive environmental impact, help mitigate climate change and adapt to its impact. It should also reverse the loss of biodiversity, ensure food security, nutrition and public health, making sure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe nutritious, sustainable food, preserve affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitivness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair trade.

A shift to a sustainable food system can bring environmental, health and social benefits, offer economic gains and ensure that the recovery from the crisis puts us onto a sustainable path.

Farm to fork

Following Parliament’s approval during October I plenary, EU consumers will soon be able to use a single charging solution for their electronic devices.

&nbsp;By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Council will have to formally approve the Directive before it is published in the EU Official Journal. It will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the rules and 12 months after the transposition period ends to apply them. The new rules would not apply to products placed on the market before the date of application.

Common EU charger

Thanks to the Roaming Regulation roaming charges ended on 15 June 2017. Europeans travelling within the EU only pay domestic prices for calls, SMS and data. The scheme was due to expire on 30 June 2022.
The EU will renew the “Roam Like At Home” scheme for another ten years, under plans adopted by Parliament during March mini-session.
The legislation, a follow-up to the 2017 elimination of roaming surcharges and agreed between Parliament and Council in December means consumers will continue to be able to use their mobile phones when travelling abroad in the EU with no additional fees on top of what they already pay at home. In addition, they will enjoy the same quality and speed of mobile connection abroad as at home. Roaming providers will be obliged to offer the same roaming quality to that provided domestically, if the same conditions are available on the network of the visiting country. In negotiations with Council, MEPs secured a provision in the new rules to prohibit practices that reduce the quality of roaming services (e.g. by switching the connection from 4G to 3G).

Roaming

European measures for consumer protection are intended to protect the health and safety and economic and legal interests of European consumers, wherever they live, travel or shop in the EU.

EU provisions regulate both physical transactions and e-commerce, and contain rules of general applicability together with provisions targeting specific products, including medicines, genetically modified organisms, tobacco products, cosmetics, toys and explosives.

Consumer protection (2019-2020)

On 6 April 2022 MEPs backed new legislation to increase the availability of data for start-ups and businesses to stimulate innovation. The Data Governance Act (DGA), already agreed by MEPs with EU governments, aims to boost data sharing and help unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence. It establishes new EU rules on the neutrality of data marketplaces, facilitates the reuse of certain data held by the public sector - e.g. certain health, agricultural or environmental data - and creates common European data spaces in strategic domains, including health, environment, energy, agriculture, mobility, finance, manufacturing, public administration and skills.

 
The overall objective of the proposed regulation is to give customers better access to goods and services in the single market.

Geo-blocking

The end of May 2019 marked the first year since the full application of the General data protection regulation (GDPR).

The Parliament and the Commission have stressed that the full potential of data as a social good cannot be unlocked until citizens' lack of trust in technology and their sense of a loss of control of their personal data is properly addressed. Various matters are concerned: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Facial Recognition Technology (FRT); The Internet of Things (IoT); etc.

Data Protection

The European Parliament has always been a strong advocate of passenger rights irrespective of the mode of transport used. Its main aim is now to ensure that the texts adopted in recent years are properly applied.

Common rules have been drawn up in an effort to ensure that passengers receive at least a minimum level of assistance in the event of serious delays to or cancellation of their journey, irrespective of the mode of transport used, and, in particular, to protect more vulnerable travellers. The rules also provide for compensation schemes. A wide range of derogations may be granted for rail and road transport services, however, and court actions challenging the application of the rules are still common.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/passenger-rights-8th-parliamentary-term_9702_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Passenger rights

"Dual quality" of products can be defined as the marketing of goods with significantly different composition or characteristics, such as ingredients, as identical in different Member States.

Parliament has long voiced its concerns about the dual quality of food. The EP stressed that discrimination between consumers is unacceptable in any form. In recent years, the concern that some branded products might be inferior in the Member States that have joined the European Union since 2004 has become ever more apparent. This concern has come to be known as the 'dual quality of products'. To address the issue, between 2018 and 2019, the European Commission's Joint Research Service (JRC) compared a set of branded food products sold under the same name and in the same or similar packaging across Member States. The analysis sought to determine whether, despite the identical or similar packaging, there were differences in product composition and, if so, whether those differences corresponded to any geographical pattern.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/dual-quality-of-products-8th-parliamentary-term_7601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Dual quality of products

The European Parliament 's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is responsible for food safety issues, including the labelling and safety of foodstuffs, veterinary legislation safeguarding against risks to human health, and public health checks on foodstuffs and food production systems.

Parliament is also particularly vigilant with regard to threats to consumer health related to cloned animals and nanomaterials or GMOs. It scrutinises and regularly opposes draft proposals for authorisation or renewal of new genetically modified plants such as maize or soya beans. In order to ensure greater transparency throughout the food chain and to better inform European consumers, Parliament, in a resolution adopted in May 2016, reiterated its call on the Commission to present legislative proposals for the mandatory indication of the origin of, in particular, meat used as an ingredient in processed foods. This should restore consumer confidence in the wake of the horsemeat scandal and other food fraud cases. In 2017, Parliament and Council agreed upon new rules to tighten up official food inspections aimed at improving food traceability and combating fraud. During the negotiations, Parliament managed to strengthen enforcement in relation to fraudulent or deceptive practices.

#EUelections2019 - Food safety

Creatives and news publishers will be empowered to negotiate with internet giants thanks to new copyright rules which also contain safeguards on freedom of expression.

In March 2019 MEPs adopted by 348 votes in favour, 274 against and 36 abstentions a new directive on Copyright. This marks the end of the legislative process for the European Parliament that began in 2016. The directive aims to ensure that the longstanding rights and obligations of copyright law also apply to the internet. YouTube, Facebook and Google News are some of the internet household names that will be most directly affected by this legislation. The directive also strives to ensure that the internet remains a space for freedom of expression.

#EUelections2019 - Copyright

Voting session

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee votes on an update to EU rules on the safety of toys to better protect children and tackle the new challenges brought about by e-commerce and new technologies such as AI. The proposed regulation introduces new bans on the most harmful chemicals such as endocrine disruptors and a digital product passport to facilitate safety checks

IMCO vote on Toy safety

EP Plenary session - A stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition: Boosting EU oversight in e-commerce and imports

Press conference on Green Claims Directive

EP Plenary session - Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services

Breakfast directive - illustration

EP Plenary session - Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis

EP Plenary session - Empowering consumers for the green transition

IMCO Public Hearing Online safety of vulnerable consumers (minors)

EP Plenary session - Empowering consumers for the Green transition

ITRE ENVI joint committee - Exchange of views with Ms Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner for Energy, on the energy crisis

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - EU response to the increase in energy prices in Europe

ITRE Committee -  Exchange of views with Ms Kadri SIMON, Commissioner for Energy, on the energy related aspects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis

EP Plenary session - Automated decision - making process: Ensuring consumer protection, and free movement of goods and services

EP plenary session - Joint debate - Transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain

IMCO Committee - Vote the ' Implementation of the Directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment in commercial transactions '

EP Press conference. The drinking water directive

Press conference on ' Glyphosate '

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Parliament and Council approved new rules for recycling and producing sustainable batteries and reducing packaging waste. MEPs voted on a series of proposals to limit food and textiles waste. MEPs with the Council on an extensive revamp of the Eco-Design Directive for products to last longer and be easier to repair, upgrade and recycle. They also reached a deal on new rules on the right to repair.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Consumer policies

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Second part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. First part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) on behalf of IMCO Committee, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) IMCO Committee and Didier REYNDERS, EU Commissioner for Justice

MEPs vote on the following topics: Laying down additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2016/679; New Regulation on Construction Products; Amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards the time limits for the adoption of sustainability reporting standards for certain sectors and for certain third-country undertakings; Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector; Mercury: dental amalgam and other mercury-added products subject to manufacturing, import and export restrictions; Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles; Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain 'Breakfast' Directives; European environmental economic accounts: new modules; Union certification framework for carbon removals; Standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation; and other topics.

Voting Session

Following a debate on Monday, MEPs will adopt on Tuesday their position on new rules to verify and pre-approve green marketing claims to protect consumers from misleading ads. Andrus ANSIP (Renew, EE) and Cyrus ENGERER (S&D, MT), co-rapporteurs hold a press conference on this topic.

EP Press conference by Andrus ANSIP (Renew, EE) and Cyrus ENGERER (S&D, MT), co-rapporteurs on Green Claims Directive

This infoclip shows honey, fruit juice, jam. The revision aims to help consumers make informed and healthier decisions on agri-food products such as honey, fruit juice, jam, jellies and marmalades

Infoclip: 'Breakfast directives' - clearer labelling of honey, fruit juice, jam

Íban GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, (S&D, ES), rapporteur, hold a press conference on cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market. The current rules leave a majority of authors receiving very low revenues. MEPs, the adopting a non legislative resolution, push to change the “pre-digital royalty rates” condemning the payola schemes that force authors to accept lower or no revenues in exchange for greater visibility. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Íban GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, (S&D, ES), rapporteur on cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market

MEPs of the Committee on Internal market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) vote on the raft Report on the proposal on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services. Extracts from the vote and statement by Kim VAN SPARRENTAK (Greens/EFA), Rapporteur.

Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services: extracts from the vote statement by Kim VAN SPARRENTAK (Greens/EFA, NL)

MEPs from the Agriculture Committee adopted a report on the reform of EU rules for registering and protecting geographical indications (GIs) for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and quality schemes for agricultural products. This infoclip illustrates several EU products such as ham, wine, olive oil and cheese.

Infoclip: Geographical indications for wine and agricultural products

MEPs adopt their negotiating position on a directive to improve product labelling, make products last longer and end misleading claims. The Internal Market Committee’s draft text would ban the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” if these do not come with detailed evidence. To simplify product information, only sustainability labels based on official certification schemes or established by public authorities should be allowed. Extracts from the debate, the vote and statement by Biljana BORZAN (S&D, HR), Rapporteur.

Empowering consumers for the green transition: extracts from the debate (09/05), extracts from the vote and statement by Biljana BORZAN (S&D, HR), Rapporteur

MEPs from the ENVI (Environment, Public Health and Food Safety) Committee vote on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The European Parliament calls for binding EU legislation to guarantee that fashion is not produced at the cost of environmental destruction and human lives. Requirements should be set that prevent unsold clothes from being shredded or sent to landfill just because they are no longer in fashion or the warehouse is full. Only textiles that meet a minimum standard of sustainability requirements should be imported into the EU or produced within the EU. Extracts from the vote in committee and statement by Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE), Rapporteur.

Vote on EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles: extracts from the vote and statement by Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

The Parliament votes on third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement: Kosovo - Thijs REUTEN (S&D, NL) and on Machinery products - Ivan ŠTEFANEC (EPP, SK)

Voting session (part 1)

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Closing statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

General Product Safety Regulation: closing statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online.

General Product Safety Regulation: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Opening statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur. Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy and by René REPASI (S&D, DE) JURI Committee.

General Product Safety Regulation: opening statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and by René REPASI (S&D, DE)

MEPs debate and vote on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Extracts from the debate, the vote and statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ).

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