Consumer Policy in the EU

Latest news on the consumer policies of the European Union.

Brussels moves to prolong free roaming in Europe

Europe's citizens should enjoy roaming without additional charges when travelling in the EU, following the European Commission's proposal Wednesday for a new Roaming Regulation.

EU looks to clamp down on website 'greenwashing'

'Greenwashing' - where websites take advantage of consumers looking to buy environmentally sound products - is on the increase, an EU report on online breaches of EU consumer law found Thursday.

New EU pharma strategy to make medicines affordable

A new pharmaceutical strategy, adopted Wednesday by the EU Commission, offers patients access to affordable medicines and supports competitiveness and innovation in Europe's pharma industry.

A Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe - guide

The European Commission adopted on 25 November a Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe to ensure patients have access to innovative and affordable medicines and to support the competitiveness, innovative capacity and sustainability of the EU's pharmaceutical industry.

EU Parliament green light for consumers to defend their rights collectively

Groups of consumers will be able to join forces and launch collective action in the EU, following the final green light from MEPs Tuesday to EU-wide rules for the protection of collective interest of consumers.

Commission outlines consumer strategy for next 5 years

The 'Consumer Agenda', published by the EU Commission Friday, sets out its consumer policy objectives for the next five years, and will serve as guidance to include consumer interests in all policy areas.

Class actions in Europe move a step closer

The EU Council adopted its position at first reading Wednesday on a draft directive on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers within Europe.

EU states agree informal deal to improve rail passenger rights

EU ambassadors endorsed a reform of rail passenger rights Wednesday with a view to strengthening the rights of all rail passengers, in particular those with disabilities or reduced mobility.

New EU chemicals strategy targets harmful consumer products

A new strategy on chemicals, unveiled Wednesday by the EU Commission, would prohibit the use of the most harmful chemicals in consumer products such as toys, cosmetics and detergents.

EU provisionally agrees improved rights for rail passengers

Guaranteed rerouting and better help for passengers when there are delays and cancellations form part of updated legislation on stronger rights for train passengers agreed Thursday by the EU institutions.

EU agrees new rules on excise duties for alcohol

The EU Council agreed new rules governing excise duties on alcohol Thursday, paving the way for an improved business environment and for reduced costs for small alcohol-producing businesses.

EU-US Data Protection Shield inadequate, EU Court rules

The Court of Justice of the EU decided Thursday to invalidate the EU-US Privacy Shield on grounds of an inadequate levels of protection given to European consumer data transferred to the United States.

Toys continue to top EU list of dangerous products

The EU's latest report on its alert system to prevent the selling of dangerous products, published Tuesday, flagged up a record number of dangerous products in 2019, with toys and cars heading the list.

EU reach provisional agreement on consumer class actions

New rules on collective redress, agreed Wednesday by EU states, will enable consumers to seek effective judicial protection collectively when traders’ infringements of EU laws deprive them of their rights.

Brussels opens antitrust probe into Apple Pay

The European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation Tuesday to assess whether Apple's conduct in connection with Apple Pay, such as its terms and conditions, violates EU competition rules.

New EU rules on power adaptors come into force

A new EU regulation on external power supplies aimed at making a range of household appliances, from laptops to electric toothbrushes, more energy efficient entered into force on 1 April.

MEPs call for binding rules on common chargers by summer

MEPs called on the Commission Thursday to put forward beefed-up rules on common chargers by July at the latest, to reduce electronic waste and empower consumers to make sustainable choices.

EU travellers still not aware of their passenger rights

Only 43% of EU citizens who have travelled by air, long-distance rail, coach, ship or ferry in the previous 12 months know that the EU has put in place rights for passengers, a Commission survey said Monday.

EU toughens consumer protection for the digital world

New EU rules for consumer protection entered into force on Tuesday, with the aim of toughening up and modernising current EU consumer protection rules, in line with digital developments.

New Deal for Consumers

The "New Deal for Consumers" initiative aimed at strengthening enforcement of EU consumer law in light of a growing risk of EU-wide infringements and at modernising EU consumer protection rules in view of market developments. The Commission adopted it on the 11 April 2018.

Booking.com commits to EU demands for transparency

Following dialogue with the European Commission and national consumer authorities, Booking.com has committed to make changes in the way it presents offers, discounts and prices to consumers.

MEPs back measures to cut VAT fraud in e-commerce

The European Parliament gave its approval Tuesday to measures designed to fight e-commerce VAT evasion that would help cut some of the EUR 137 billion lost each year across the EU to VAT fraud.

Contract summary template

As of 21 December 2020, electronic communications service providers will have to provide users of their services a summary of the contract based on the standard template included in the regulation.

New EU cross-border payments rules into force

Consumers and businesses in non-eurozone EU Member States will enjoy cheaper cross-border payments in euro from Monday, as new rules came into force pricing these the same as domestic payments.

French retailers Casino, Intermarché in EU antitrust probe

The EU Commission opened an antitrust investigation Monday to assess whether the French retail groups Casino and Intermarché breached EU competition rules by coordinating their conduct in the market.