USLUGE OD OPŠTEG EKONOMSKOG INTERESA I ZAŠTITA KORISNIKA

In modern economic systems services of general economic interest are gaining more and more importance. In addition to the fact that they are provided in strategically important areas, that it is necessary to achieve continuity in their creation and provide equal access to all consumers, the supply of services of general economic interest requires large initial investments against which there is insufficient profitability. Therefore, the intervention of the state in the field of services of general economic interest becomes necessary. Services of general economic interest, with the direct or indirect presence of the state, are provided by economically powerful merchants, which very often puts consumers in an inferior position when exercising their rights. Bearing in mind the above, the author analyzes services of general economic interest, deals with their definition, regulation at the national and European Union level, and in the context of consumer protection.