9.1.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L5/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 20/2004/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 8 December 2003 establishing a general framework for financing Community actions in support of consumer policy for the years 2004 to 2007 (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 153 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee ('), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) Consumer policy makes a crucial contribution to two of the Commission's strategic objectives laid down in the Commission communication on the strategic objectives 2000 to 2005 ‘Shaping the new Europe (), namely promoting a new and economic social agenda in order to modernise the European economy and ensuring a better quality of life for Europe's citizens. (2)  The consumer policy strategy 2002 to 2006 establishes three key objectives. These will be implemented through actions included in a rolling programme to be reviewed regularly by the Commission. (3)  The objectives and actions in the consumer policy strategy should steer the allocation of funds for actions implemented under this framework. In addition, activ- ities intended to integrate consumer interests into other areas of activity in accordance with Article 153 of the Treaty should be given high priority together with the three key objectives of the consumer policy strategy. () O] C 234, 30.9.2003, p. 86. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 24 September 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council decision of 1 December 2003. () O] C 81, 21.3.2000, p. 1. (4 In line with the consumer policy strategy, consumer policy within the scope of this framework should cover the safety of services and non-food products, and the economic interests of EU consumers. Actions related to food safety are not covered by this framework. (5)  The general objectives of the European Union include, according to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, the achievement of balanced and sustainable develop- ment. In line with the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, the plan of implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Cardiff process, actions should be taken in order to achieve sustainable development. (6)  This framework should provide for actions by the Com- munity, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as laid down in Article 5 of the Treaty, to support and build the capacity of organisations and bodies which work to promote consumer interests at Community, national or regional level. (7)  In addition to the actions contained in this framework, the Commission should also ensure that consumer orga- nisations and other relevant non-governmental organisa- tions can contribute to the implementation of the consumer policy strategy through their involvement in the work of the European consumer consultative group as set up by Commission Decision 2003/709/EC (%). (8)  This framework should provide for actions jointly under- taken by the Commission and one or more Member States to implement the objectives of consumer policy. () OJ L 258, 10.10.2003, p. 35.