Consumer Policy in the EU

Latest news on the consumer policies of the European Union.

New EU obligations kick in for Pornhub, Stripchat, XVideos — 19 April 2024, 23:12 CET

As of 21 and 23 April, adult entertainment platforms Pornhub, Stripchat and Xvideos will have to comply with stringent obligations under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Brussels demands answers on launch of TikTok Lite in France, Spain — 18 April 2024, 22:50 CET

The European Commission sent TikTok a request for information Wednesday for details on the risk assessment TikTok should have carried out before deploying the new app TikTok Lite in the EU.

Nearly half of people in EU stream TV or videos — 16 April 2024, 18:50 CET

65 per cent of individuals in the European Union engaged in streaming TV or videos online in 2022, according to a set of figures released Tuesday by the EU's statistics agency Eurostat.

MEPs approve reforms for sustainable gas market — 12 April 2024, 22:20 CET

The EU Parliament adopted plans Thursday to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, into the EU gas market and lead to a market which is more sustainable and resilient.

Apple, Meta, Alphabet in EU digital markets law probe — 25 March 2024, 19:04 CET

The European Commission opened non-compliance investigations Monday against Google parent company Alphabet, Apple and Meta under the EU's new Digital Markets Act.

Pharma reform to tackle medicines shortages in EU — 20 March 2024, 23:10 CET

An EU Parliament committee adopted proposals Wednesday to revamp EU pharmaceutical legislation to foster innovation and enhance the security of supply, accessibility and affordability of medicines.

EU strikes deal on European Health Data Space — 18 March 2024, 22:03 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached provisional agreement Friday on a new law making it easier to exchange and access health data at EU level.

Cosmetics top EU list of dangerous products in 2023 — 14 March 2024, 18:13 CET

Cosmetics was the most frequent type of product notified as a health risk in 2023, according to the Commission's annual report on dangerous non-foods products published Thursday.

EU set for tighter rules on gun control — 14 March 2024, 18:14 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached provisional political agreement Thursday on an updating of rules to trace import and export of civilian firearms more effectively.

Euro-Parliament backs tightening of EU toy safety rules — 13 March 2024, 19:17 CET

The EU Parliament approved its position Wednesday on revamped EU rules on toy safety, offering better protection to children from the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU single market.

Tinder pledge on clearer pricing brings end to EU probe — 07 March 2024, 22:19 CET

U.S. online dating app Tinder committed Thursday to informing its customers that discounts they propose for their premium services are personalised by automated means, as required to do under EU law.

EU sets targets to reduce packaging consumption — 05 March 2024, 18:51 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached agreement Monday to revamp rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging, including a ban on 'forever chemicals' in food contact packaging.

Booking, ByteDance, X set to become EU Internet gatekeepers — 04 March 2024, 18:17 CET

Internet platforms Booking, ByteDance and X could be subject to new EU rules on gatekeeper platforms, after notifying the EU Commission they potentially meet Digital Markets Act thresholds.

Brussels queries Meta on No Ads Facebook subscription options — 01 March 2024, 23:40 CET

The EU Commission sent American tech giant Meta a formal request Friday to provide more information under the Digital Services Act over subscription for no ads options for both Facebook and Instagram.

Suppliers offer almost 100bcm of gas to European consumers in first tender — 28 February 2024, 18:58 CET

The first tender with a new mid-term product for joint EU purchasing of gas under the EU's AggregateEU programme closed Tuesday night, with offers for a total volume of 97.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas.

23 pct of EU enterprises engaged in online sales in 2022 — 26 February 2024, 23:17 CET

22.9 per cent of EU enterprises conducted sales online in 2022, according to figures released Monday by Eurostat, 0.1 per cent higher compared with 2021 and 6.5% higher that in 2012 (16.4%).

EU adopts instant 10-second payments regulation — 26 February 2024, 22:23 CET

The EU Council adopted Monday a regulation that will make instant payments fully available in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries.

TikTok under EU investigation over protection of minors — 19 February 2024, 16:59 CET

The European Commission opened formal proceedings Monday to assess whether TikTok may have breached Internet rules over protection of minors and advertising transparency.

Digital Services Act starts applying to all online platforms in EU — 19 February 2024, 16:59 CET

The Digital Services Act, the EU's new rulebook for a safer and more transparent online world, will apply in full to online platforms and marketplaces in the EU from Saturday 17 February.

New EU rules on toy safety to protect children from harmful chemicals — 13 February 2024, 23:42 CET

An EU Parliament committee approved stricter rules on toy safety Tuesday, aiming to bring down the number of unsafe toys on the single market and protect children better from toy-related risks.

Remaining intentional uses of toxic mercury to be banned in EU — 08 February 2024, 22:21 CET

EU institutions reached political agreement Thursday to phase out use of dental amalgam and prohibit the manufacturing, import and export of a number of mercury-added products, including certain lamps.

Euro money transfers to arrive 'within ten seconds' — 08 February 2024, 00:11 CET

The European Parliament adopted new rules Wednesday to ensure transferred funds arrive immediately into the bank accounts of retail customers and businesses across the EU.

Clearing package deal boost for EU capital markets — 08 February 2024, 00:01 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached political agreement Wednesday on new rules to help make EU clearing services more attractive and robust and preserve financial stability.

EU reaches deal to strengthen consumers' right to repair — 02 February 2024, 23:10 CET

EU negotiators reached a provisional deal Friday on a directive to reduce waste by promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, also known as the right-to-repair (or R2R) directive.

EU raids tyre firms suspected of price fixing — 31 January 2024, 19:13 CET

The EU Commission carried out unannounced raids Wednesday at the premises of several European tyre makers suspected ot violating EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.