European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EU consumer policy
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Protecting European consumers [Policy Podcast]
Consumer protection rules have been improving the rights of consumers in the European Union since the 1970s. Continue reading
What if social media were open and connected? [Science and Technology Podcast]
Social media platforms are often thought of as open and connected spaces, since they allow users to communicate with a wide range of people and organisations. It seems obvious that to have access to a social network it should be necessary to open an account with the platform, and that on closing the account that access would be lost. Continue reading
The collaborative economy and taxation: Taxing the value created in the collaborative economy
A relatively recent phenomenon, the collaborative economy has become mainstream in a decade in some areas of activities, such as car-sharing or short-term lets. Although it is now a well-known term – with alternative names from the ‘sharing’ to ‘gig’ to ‘peer‑to‑peer’ economy – it remains difficult to grasp precisely, beyond the central feature that potential consumers and providers are connected via a digital platform that matches demand and supply, providing cheap access to information on a very large scale. Continue reading
Strengthening market surveillance of harmonised industrial products [EU Legislation in Progress]
Harmonised products represent 69 % of the overall value of industrial products in the internal market. However, a significant part of these products does not comply with harmonised EU rules. Continue reading
Contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services [EU Legislation in Progress]
The digital content directive was proposed by the European Commission as part of a legislative package, alongside the online sales directive, to facilitate the development of the internal market for such content. Continue reading
Consumer Protection Cooperation [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission estimates that the detriment to consumers caused by non-compliance with basic EU consumer rules in certain cross-border online markets and also by inefficient cross-border enforcement amounts to €770 million per year.
To remedy this, the Commission has presented a legislative proposal to review the existing rules on consumer protection cooperation between enforcement authorities as part of its e-commerce package in May 2016. Continue reading
Protecting and empowering EU consumers [European Added Value in Action]
Written by Pierre Goudin, Wide-ranging consumer protection: The European system has developed over 30 years, with direct benefits for consumers in various areas of their daily lives. High standards and more choice : EU rules impose the highest safety requirements in the world, not least for toys. Lower prices: Mobile phone roaming costs have decreased … Continue reading
A European agenda for the collaborative economy
Written by Jana Valant, The ‘collaborative economy’ – also known as the ‘sharing economy’ – enables people to share goods and services by using internet platforms and information and communications technology applications. Due to its rapid growth, the collaborative economy has recently raised regulatory issues in various sectors across the European Union (EU). It is … Continue reading
Cross-border parcel delivery services [EU Legislation in Progress]
High prices and the inconvenience of cross-border parcel delivery have been identified as being among the main obstacles to a bigger uptake of e-commerce among European consumers and retailers. Continue reading
Air passenger rights
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament in order to request information about their rights as passengers. The ongoing legislative reform shall clarify certain aspects of air passenger rights, to ensure a better application of the EU law and to strike a fair balance between passenger rights and their financial cost. In complement to various … Continue reading
Consumer protection in the EU: Policy overview
Written by Jana Valant The final consumption expenditure of households currently accounts for 57% of EU gross domestic product. A single market that serves consumers well is therefore an important element to stimulating Europe’s economic growth. The Council Resolution of 14 April 1975 on a preliminary programme of the European Economic Community for a consumer … Continue reading
How the EU budget is spent: Consumer programme
Written by Gianluca Sgueo and Jana Valant Consumer spending accounts for 57% of EU gross domestic product (GDP), which makes European consumers key to stimulating growth in the European economy. Between 2008 and 2010, the volume of intra-EU trade in consumer products amounted to almost €1 trillion. In 2013, the European Commission estimated the value of … Continue reading
Ensuring Europe’s parents can rely on the safety of toys
Written by Jana Valant As consumers embark on the annual Christmas shopping spree they should be aware of the potential health or safety hazards for children that may be concealed in dangerous toys on the market. Toy safety is vital for consumers’ trust in the European Union’s toy industry – which currently generates about €5.8 billion per year. To … Continue reading
The Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market. Part V – Consumer Acquis
Cost of Non-Europe Reports identify the possibilities for economic or other gains and/or the realisation of a ‘public good’ through common action at EU level in specific policy areas and sectors. This Cost of Non-Europe Report seeks to analyse the costs for citizens, businesses and relevant stake-holders of remaining gaps and barriers in the European … Continue reading
Common European Sales Law
6 language versions available in PDF format Gemeinsames Europäisches Kaufrecht Normativa común de compraventa europea Droit commun européen de la vente Diritto comune europeo della vendita Wspólne europejskie przepisy dotyczące sprzedaży Common European sales law The proposed Common European Sales Law (CESL) is intended to create a uniform set of contract rules available to traders … Continue reading
Consumer programme 2014-20
6 language versions available in PDF format Verbraucherprogramm 2014–2020 Programa de Consumidores 2014-2020 Le programme “Consommateurs” 2014-2020 Programma per la tutela dei consumatori 2014-2020 Program ochrony konsumentów na lata 2014-2020 Consumer programme 2014-20 The consumer programme finances actions in the area of EU consumer policy. These aim to create the conditions necessary for EU citizens … Continue reading
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