Consumer Policy in the EU

Latest news on the consumer policies of the European Union.

MEPs reach deal with EU states to better label honey to combat fraud — 31 January 2024, 18:43 CET

Negotiators from the EU Parliament and Council reached political agreement Tuesday to update rules on the labelling, name, composition and presentation of certain 'breakfast' foodstuffs.

EU makes moves towards mercury-free Europe — 31 January 2024, 18:41 CET

The EU Council was set for talks Tuesday to phase out use of dental amalgam and prohibit the manufacturing, import and export of a number of mercury-added products, including certain lamps.

Europe's drinking water to be safer from 2027 — 24 January 2024, 00:01 CET

Europe's drinking water will be safer following the EU Commission's adoption Tuesday of new minimum hygiene standards for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water.

Brussels requests data information from online giants — 18 January 2024, 23:02 CET

Google, Amazon and Facebook were among 17 large online services to receive information requests from the European Commission Thursday under the EU's Digital Services Act.

EU green light for ban on greenwashing, misleading product information — 18 January 2024, 11:13 CET

The European Parliament gave its final green light Wednesday to an EU directive which aims to improve product labelling for consumers and bans the use of misleading environmental claims.

EU's new Data Act enters into force — 11 January 2024, 22:40 CET

The European Data Act entered into force Thursday, defining rights to the access and use of data generated in the EU, and boosting data-sharing and innovation, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

Green light for tariffs delay on UK electric cars — 21 December 2023, 23:48 CET

The EU Council agreed Thursday to give manufacturers of electric cars in the EU and the UK more time to comply with local content requirements for electric vehicles under the EU-UK Trade Agreement.

Large porn sites drawn into EU online content obligations — 20 December 2023, 17:33 CET

The European Commission named adult websites Pornhub, Stripchat and XVideos Wednesday as online platforms that now need to conform to strict content rules under the EU's Digital Services Act law.

EU tightens labelling requirements for chemicals sold online — 06 December 2023, 00:06 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached a provisional agreement Tuesday on an updating of a regulation for the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals sold online.

New ecodesign rules make sustainable products the norm — 06 December 2023, 21:54 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council struck a deal Tuesday on an update to the Ecodesign Regulation, which establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products.

Boost for passenger rights in Europe post-Covid — 29 November 2023, 18:58 CET

The EU Commission adopted a series of proposals Wednesday to strengthen the rights of passengers in Europe in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and the bankruptcy of the Thomas Cook travel group.

Revision of EU passenger rights Regulations - guide — 29 November 2023, 18:27 CET

The European Commission adopted on 29 November a series of proposals designed to improve the experience of passengers and travellers by strengthening their rights.

MEPs vote to extend life of consumer products — 22 November 2023, 23:55 CET

The European Parliament adopted rules Tuesday to encourage more sustainable consumption, reduce the environmental impact of mass consumption and strengthen consumers' right to repair.

Brussels asks Meta, Snap about measures to protect children — 13 November 2023, 18:55 CET

The EU Commission requested information from Meta and Snap Friday on measures taken to comply with obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA) related to protection of minors.

eIDAS Regulation — 08 November 2023, 22:43 CET

eIDAS is a key enabler for secure cross-border transactions. The Regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Regulation) is a milestone towards creating a predictable regulatory environment. The eIDAS Regulation helps business, citizens and public authorities carry out secure and seamless electronic interactions.

European Digital Identity - guide — 08 November 2023, 23:00 CET

With a view to ensuring a trusted and secure digital identity for all Europeans, the EU Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached on 8 November a provisional agreement on a new framework for a European digital identity (eID).

EU negotiators reach final agreement on EU-wide digital wallet — 08 November 2023, 23:02 CET

European Parliament and EU Council negotiators reached provisional agreement Wednesday on an EU wallet to authenticate and access public and private services and e-sign documents.

EU to strengthen protection of high quality food and drink products — 27 October 2023, 15:38 CET

EU Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional deal Tuesday to strengthen geographical indications (GIs) and other quality schemes for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products.

MEPs call for new EU rules to make digital platforms less addictive — 27 October 2023, 15:38 CET

MEPs raised the alarm Wednesday over the addictive design features of certain digital services, with a call for ethical design by default and a ban on addictive techniques like endless scrolling or automatic play.

MEPs want drastic cut in use of chemical pesticides — 24 October 2023, 23:32 CET

A European Parliament committee voted Tuesday to ensure sustainable pesticides use and reduce the use and risk of all chemical pesticides by at least 50 per cent by 2030.

New EU measures to strengthen out-of-court dispute resolution for consumers — 17 October 2023, 23:10 CET

The EU Commission published a proposal Tuesday which would give consumers and traders the ability to solve their out-of-court disputes in a process which should be simpler, faster and more affordable.

New labelling rules for organic pet food in Europe — 09 October 2023, 18:29 CET

The EU Council gave its final green light Monday to a new EU law aligning rules on labelling organic pet food to those governing organic food intended for human consumption.

EU reduces limits for nitrites and nitrates as food additives — 06 October 2023, 18:50 CET

As part of its plans to protect consumers from carcinogenic substances, the EU Commission set out Friday a set of new reduced limits for the use of nitrites and nitrates as food additives.

Brussels urges financial incentives for return of discarded phones, laptops — 06 October 2023, 18:49 CET

The European Commission adopted a set of policy recommendations Friday for EU Member States to improve and incentivise the return of used and waste mobile phones, tablets, laptops and their chargers.

EU reaches deal to reduce fluorinated gas emissions — 05 October 2023, 17:12 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached agreement Thursday on new legislation to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fluorinated gases and ozone depleting substances.