Consumer Policy in the EU

Latest news on the consumer policies of the European Union.

The fight against tobacco in the EU - briefing — 27 May 2010, 16:43 CET

Ahead of the 2010 No Tobacco Day (31 May), the European Commission unveils the results of a Eurobarometer survey which shows that a strong majority of EU citizens support stronger tobacco control measures. For example, three in every four Europeans supports picture health warnings on tobacco packs and smoke free restaurants. The survey also shows, however, that nearly one in every three Europeans still smokes, despite the fact that tobacco kills half of its users. The Commission is planning to launch an open consultation shortly with a view to revising the 2001 Tobacco Products Directive and is stepping up its tobacco control efforts throughout the EU.

Country by country breakdown of 15th Progress Report on European Telecoms Market 2009 — 25 May 2010, 23:52 CET

The European Commission's latest (15th) annual report on the Single European Electronic Communications Market shows that consumers, businesses and the EU economy as a whole are denied the full economic benefits of a truly single and competitive EU-wide telecoms market because of inconsistent application of EU telecoms rules. The report indicates that most Member States' markets have become more competitive, but remain national in dimension and that the level of competitiveness varies strongly between Member States. This is why the Commission's Digital Agenda for Europe calls for swift and consistent enforcement of existing telecoms rules and indicates that the Commission intends to propose appropriate steps to reduce the cost of the absence of a Single Market in telecoms services.

Lack of progress on single EU telecoms market hurts consumers — 25 May 2010, 23:55 CET

Consumers, businesses and the EU economy as a whole are denied the full economic benefits of a truly single and competitive EU-wide telecoms market because of inconsistent application of EU telecoms rules,according to the European Commission's annual report on the Single European Electronic Communications Market.

EU mulls improvements to European contract law — 22 May 2010, 17:39 CET

The European Commission, seeking to boost cross-border trade and to ensure strong rights for consumers, convened a new expert group to propose ways to improve contract law in the European Union.

Energy Labelling Directive - Briefing — 20 May 2010, 00:41 CET

The European Parliament today adopted the Energy Labelling Directive, a recast of the existing Labelling Directive which introduced the energy label for household appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, ovens, air-conditioners, dishwashers, washing machines, washer-driers, tumble driers and lamps. The recast of the Directive extends its scope to also cover products in the commercial and industrial sectors in the future.

New energy labels for EU household appliances — 20 May 2010, 13:04 CET

Labels on household appliances such as fridges, washing machines and ovens will have to include more information on energy consumption, following a vote by MEPs on Wednesday.

Commission Recommendation on the use of a harmonised methodology for classifying and reporting consumer complaints and enquiries - C(2010)3021 final — 13 May 2010, 17:02 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Recommendation introducing a harmonised methodology for classifying and reporting consumer complaints. The methodology is expected to deliver comparable complaints data that will provide crucial evidence as to which parts of the Internal Market are under-performing for EU consumers and how. This will allow a quicker and better targeted policy response at both national and EU levels.

EU-wide complaints reporting - briefing — 13 May 2010, 17:05 CET

The European Commission has adopted a recommendation introducing an EU-wide method for classifying and reporting consumer complaints to be used by complaint bodies on a voluntary basis. The method is expected to deliver comparable complaints data that will provide crucial evidence as to which parts of the Internal Market are underperforming for EU consumers. This, in turn, will allow for a quicker and better targeted policy response at both national and EU level. Consumer complaints are a key indicator of market health. There are more than 700 organisations handling consumer complaints in Europe. But they use different classifications. As a result, comparison and overview are not possible, even at the national level. To facilitate the adoption of the method, the Commission will provide technical assistance such as free software.

Euro-MPs urge tightening of animal welfare rules — 05 May 2010, 22:49 CET

More frequent inspections and tougher penalties will be needed to enforce the next EU Animal Welfare Action Plan, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament today.

Sweden told to comply with EU cosmetics rules — 05 May 2010, 22:52 CET

The European Commission has taken further steps against Sweden for infringing EU law on cosmetic products by introducing excessive requirements in the notification of such products.

EU responds to Internet consumers' fears over traffic monitoring — 22 April 2010, 23:35 CET

The negotiation parties of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) today published the documents of the 8th round of negotiations held in Wellington on 12-16 April.

Ministers agree on labelling of energy-related products — 15 April 2010, 23:59 CET

The Council of Ministers agreed today to extend the Directive on the indication by labelling, restricted to household appliances, to all energy-related products.

Toy Joint Action - briefing — 15 April 2010, 17:15 CET

Questions and Answers on Toy Joint Action. The European Commission presented today the results of an EU market surveillance exercise, involving 13 countries checking the safety of toys, which shows that around 20% did not comply with the relevant safety requirements.

RAPEX - Latest notifications — 12 March 2018, 14:04 CET

The European Commission publishes a weekly overview of the alerts reported by the national authorities, which include information on the dangerous products found, the risks identified and the measures taken in the notifying country in order to prevent or restrict their marketing or use. Measures can be ordered by national authorities ("compulsory measures") or taken directly by economic operators ("voluntary measures"). Each alert also includes information on other countries where the same product has been found and further measures taken.

Community rapid information system for dangerous products (RAPEX) - briefing — 15 April 2010, 15:00 CET

The number of dangerous consumer products notified through the EU's rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products ("RAPEX") rose by 7% in 2009 compared to 2008, the European Commission's annual RAPEX report shows today. This rise from 1866 notifications in 2008 to 1993 last year shows that the capacity of the RAPEX system has increased again in 2009, following more effective market surveillance by Member States. European businesses are also taking their responsibilities in the consumer product safety area more seriously and recall their unsafe products from the market more readily. They also begin to use the dedicated rapid alert system for business ('Business Application') more systematically. Toys, clothing and motor vehicles were the most frequently notified products in 2009. In addition, the results of an EU market surveillance exercise, involving 13 countries checking the safety of toys, were also presented today, and show that around 20% did not comply with the relevant safety requirements.

MEPs suggest amendments to the Directive on falsified medicines — 07 April 2010, 09:58 CET

The European Parliament's Internal Market Committee published yesterday an Opinion suggesting improvements to the Directive on medicinal products, as regards the supply chain of falsified medicinal products.

New textile labels promise more informed choice for EU — 02 April 2010, 18:10 CET

Members of the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will next week vote on amendments to a draft report on textile names and related labelling.

Commission publishes the new EU Organic Logo — 01 April 2010, 22:17 CET

The European Commission has published the new logo for organic products in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will become obligatory from 1 July 2010.

Prosafe - Product Safety Enforcement Forum of Europe — 23 March 2010, 23:29 CET

PROSAFE (the Product Safety Enforcement Forum of Europe) is a non-profit organisation established by market surveillance officers from various countries throughout Europe. Its aim is to promote informal discussions between market surveillance officers in order to share and learn from each others’ experiences and to develop best practice amongst market surveillance organisations.

Cords and drawstrings in children's clothing - briefing — 23 March 2010, 23:29 CET

When EU consumers buy clothes for their children they should not have to worry about safety risks. A recent EU market surveillance exercise checked in particular the safety of children's clothes with cords and drawstrings, with which there can be a risk of strangulation, especially for children up to 7 years. Market surveillance authorities in 11 EU Member States inspected more than 16,000 such garments between 2008 and 2010, and the results published today by the European Commission show that 1 in 10 items were in breach of safety requirements under the relevant European standard. The main aim of the project was to reduce the amount of unsafe children's clothing on the EU market, whether produced in Europe or imported. It resulted in many RAPEX notifications and corrective measures have been taken. It also enabled Member States to gain experience in working together. National authorities will intensify their work to ensure compliance with the relevant safety requirements and to inform and educate economic operators and consumers.

EU energy rules still not being implemented: report — 11 March 2010, 22:57 CET

EU Member States are lagging behind in the implementation of the internal energy market rules, reveals the Commission’s 2009 Benchmarking Report published today.

"Internal market test" needed for new EU legislation, say MEPs — 10 March 2010, 18:21 CET

The EU's internal market was put under scrutiny today, 9 March, when Members of the European Parliament debated a series of reports in their plenary session in Strasbourg. They concluded that there is no conflict between consumer rights and an economically efficient single market: they reinforce each other. This is the key message of three resolutions approved by Parliament that look at EU law on consumer protection, the internal market and the SOLVIT system for settling consumer disputes.

Consumer protection under discussion by MEPS — 08 March 2010, 23:12 CET

The EU's internal market will be under scrutiny on Tuesday, 9 March, when a series of reports will be debated by MEPs in Strasbourg. Among the issues being discussed will be ways of resolving disputes without legal action and improving people's knowledge of the options open to them. The debate will be held Tuesday from 0900 CET and can be followed live online.

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection — 17 February 2010, 13:20 CET

Responsibilities, contacts and latest studies of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Safety of sunbeds - briefing — 12 February 2010, 23:57 CET

Consumers should be aware of the potential risks associated with using sunbeds according to the results of a market surveillance check of sunbeds and sunbed services, published today by the European Commission. Market surveillance authorities in 10 EU Member States inspected more than 500 sunbeds at over 300 locations (mostly tanning salons and wellness centres) between September 2008 and September 2009, and found three main problems: UV radiation limits for sunbeds were violated in one in seven sunbeds made available at tanning services; consumer guidance, including on the hazards of UV radiation or prohibiting their use by under 18s was not provided; there were insufficient warnings on the sunbeds themselves (e.g. that UV radiation may cause injury). Authorities are intensifying their work to ensure compliance with all relevant safety legislation and the results of the 2008/2009 check will feed into a follow up project launched today by authorities in 12 Member States to train more inspectors and improve information to consumers. Authorities are also working more with the sunbed industry, which is itself developing training material for service providers such as tanning studios.