Consumer Policy in the EU

Latest news on the consumer policies of the European Union.

High speed internet in Europe is a right, say MEPs — 21 September 2023, 17:54 CET

A Euro-Parliament committee urged faster deployment of very high-speed networks Tuesday, adopting draft legislation that would reduce the costs and red tape of deploying gigabit-capable networks.

EU issues new Ecolabel criteria for hygiene products, menstrual cups — 14 September 2023, 22:34 CET

The Commission adopted updated EU Ecolabel criteria for absorbent hygiene products Thursday with stronger standards for tampons, pads and nappies, and new criteria for reusable menstrual cups.

EU names six Internet 'gatekeepers' to rein in tech giants' power — 08 September 2023, 23:45 CET

The EU Commission designated Amazon, Meta and Microsoft as six 'gatekeepers' under the Digital Markets Act Wednesday, giving them six months to ensure full compliance with DMA obligations.

EU to step up protection of children from unsafe toys — 29 July 2023, 00:20 CET

The EU Commission proposed a Toy Safety Regulation Friday which revises current rules to protect children from potential risks in toys, with improved protection from harmful hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Protection of children from unsafe toys - guide — 29 July 2023, 00:13 CET

The European Commission proposed on 28 July a Toy Safety Regulation revising the current rules to protect children from potential risks in toys. While toys put on the EU market are among the safest ones in the world, the proposed rules will further improve this protection, in particular from harmful chemicals.

EU renews mobile roaming agreement for Ukraine refugees — 10 July 2023, 18:31 CET

EU telecoms operators on Sunday extended by another twelve months their agreement which allows displaced refugees from Ukraine to stay connected across borders.

Brussels opens probe into Amazon's iRobot buy — 07 July 2023, 21:50 CET

The EU Commission opened an investigation Friday to assess, under the EU Merger Regulation, whether the proposed acquisition of iRobot by Amazon will restrict competition in robot vacuum cleaners.

Brussels proposes more vigorous enforcement of GDPR — 04 July 2023, 22:17 CET

The EU Commission proposed new rules Tuesday to strengthen enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation in cross-border cases and improve cooperation between data protection authorities.

GDPR Procedural Regulation: stronger enforcement of the GDPR in cross-border cases - guide — 04 July 2023, 22:05 CET

The European Commission proposed on 4 July new rules to support the effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in cross-border cases. The GDPR Procedural Regulation aims to streamline cooperation between data protection authorities (DPAs), by harmonising some aspects of their administrative procedures in cross-border cases.

EU payment services update to boost fintech innovation — 03 July 2023, 00:31 CET

The EU Commission put forward proposals Wednesday to modernise payments services and the financial sector to include enhanced protection for consumers making electronic payments in the EU.

Modernising payments services - guide — 28 June 2023, 22:16 CET

The European Commission put forward proposals on 28 June to bring payments and the wider financial sector into the digital age.

Brussels outlines framework for new digital euro — 28 June 2023, 21:33 CET

The EU Commission set out proposals Wednesday for a framework for a possible digital form of the euro that the ECB may issue in future, as well as for continued access to euro banknotes and coins.

Single Currency Package - guide — 28 June 2023, 19:06 CET

The European Commission on 28 June put forward two proposals to ensure that citizens and businesses can continue to access and pay with euro banknotes and coins across the euro area, and to set out a framework for a possible new digital form of the euro that the European Central Bank may issue in the future, as a complement to cash.

Travel agencies commit to 14-day refund for cancelled flights — 27 June 2023, 21:52 CET

Following dialogue with the Commission and consumer authorities, major online travel agencies said Tuesday consumers should be able to receive refunds after 14 days in the event of flight cancellation.

EU rules on protection of consumers' collective interests enter into force — 23 June 2023, 18:09 CET

The EU's Representative Actions Directive, which enters into force Sunday, allows consumers from across the EU to claim their rights not only individually, but also through collective actions.

EU 'repairability index' to make phones last longer — 19 June 2023, 17:31 CET

The European Commission set out proposals Friday for new rules to help consumers make informed and sustainable choices when purchasing mobile and cordless phones, and tablets.

MEPs vote to make sustainable products the norm — 17 June 2023, 00:13 CET

A European Parliament committee put forward proposals Thursday with the aim of making products in the EU more environmentally friendly, circular and energy efficient throughout their lifecycle.

Google in EU dock over abusive online ads practices — 15 June 2023, 23:25 CET

The EU Commission informed Google Wednesday of its preliminary view that the company breached EU antitrust rules by distorting competition in the advertising technology industry (‘adtech').

EU strengthens and modernises rules on product safety — 12 June 2023, 18:51 CET

New product safety rules entered into force Monday, addressing new technological developments and globalised supply chains that have affected consumer product safety in the past two decades.

EU labelling boost for organic pet food — 06 June 2023, 23:56 CET

The EU Parliament and Council reached provisional agreement Tuesday on the labelling of organic pet food, to make it easier for consumers in the EU to buy organic food for their pets.

EU calls for agreement on global rules to end plastic pollution — 30 May 2023, 23:25 CET

With plastic production forecast to triple by 2060, the EU will Monday call for legally binding provisions to address the production of primary plastics, with a view to making production and consumption sustainable.

Brussels approves merger between Credit Suisse and UBS — 25 May 2023, 18:58 CET

The European Commission approved the merger between Credit Suisse and UBS unconditionally Thursday, saying it would not raise competition concerns in the European Economic Area.

Brussels proposes better deal for retail investors — 24 May 2023, 21:39 CET

A partial ban on inducements to financial advisors, proposed Wednesday by the European Commission, would prevent financial retailers from charging consumers for advice where none was given.

Retail Investment Package - guide — 24 May 2023, 21:32 CET

The European Commission adopted on 24 May a Retail Investment Package that it says places consumers' interests at the centre of retail investing.

EU to tackle piracy of online sports, live events — 11 May 2023, 01:45 CET

The European Commission adopted a Recommendation Thursday on how to combat commercial scale online piracy of sports and other live events, such as concerts and theatre performances.