About: BEUC
EU Commission aims to tackle greenwashing in new consumer agenda
Avoiding greenwashing and providing customers with more information about the sustainability of products is a key part of the Commission’s new consumer agenda, launched on Friday (13 November).
EU consumers open to exploring more sustainable diets, but lack information to do so
EU consumers are influenced by environmental concerns and willing to change their eating habits accordingly but lack of information, high prices and limited availability of sustainable foods still stand in the way, according to a new survey from the European Consumer Organisation, BEUC.
Commission bemused by consumer information conundrum
The European Commission has started sketching the new EU-wide food labelling scheme, expected to be proposed in the context of the new Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), but the debate over what kind of information to provide to consumers has just started.
Artificial Intelligence presents ‘black swan’ ethical issues, Commission report says
A series of 'critical concerns' in the development of Artificial Intelligence may have future unforeseen "high-impact" ramifications, a European Commission-led project has suggested.
The nightmare before Christmas: Cybersecurity risks for children’s toys
The lack of a legal framework to protect children's toys against cybersecurity risks could prove to have damaging consequences, a leading European consumer rights group has warned ahead of the Christmas festivities, advising parents that some of those toys should not even be kept at home.
Legislating with blinkers: the EU’s copyright reform is up for the vote
Europe’s creative sector is without doubt very important to our economy. Over the past decades, it has grown, mainly due to what is arguably Europe’s (and the world’s) most valuable shared economic asset: the internet. Ursula Pachl explains.
Industry questions WHO’s conviction about health impact of sugar taxes
The industry believes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has no evidence to back its claim that sugar taxes are an effective way to improve public health. Instead, the industry says, taxes only lead consumers to cheaper brands with similar or even higher calorie content, which may undermine any positive health outcome.
Commission vows to spend €1.5 billion on artificial intelligence by 2020
The European Commission announced on Wednesday (25 April) that it will invest €1.5 billion into artificial intelligence research over the next three years, and was promptly hit with criticism for drafting its strategy years after the United States and China started their own massive funding plans.
Antimicrobial resistance set to become bigger killer than cancer by 2050
Antimicrobial resistance is a ticking time bomb. Ahead of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November, the EU and public health stakeholders are aiming to raise awareness of this issue and make it a policy priority in the member states.
France opts for colour coded nutrition labelling
France's ministers for health, agriculture and the economy signed on Tuesday (31 October) a decree introducing a voluntary labelling scheme for food products to reduce obesity, causing upheaval in the food industry.
Consumer group warns against e-commerce overhaul
A draft bill to give ecommerce shoppers the same rights across the EU is likely to face a drastic makeover from the European Parliament and national governments—and consumer advocates are worried.
Google, Facebook and Twitter face fines as EU grows ‘impatient’ with lax consumer rules
Google, Facebook and Twitter could face fines if they do not change their user conditions to meet the European Commission's demands.
EU adopts first restrictions on cancer-causing acrylamide in food
Representatives of the EU’s 28 member states voted yesterday (19 July) in favour of a European Commission proposal to reduce the presence in food of acrylamide, a known carcinogenic substance present in fries, crisps, bread, biscuits, or coffee.
Mobile roaming fees disappear, but MEPs want more EU rules
European mobile phone contracts are required to charge domestic rates for calls, SMS and data use when users travel in the EU starting today (15 June), capping off a ten-year fight to get rid of roaming fees.
EU fines Facebook €110 million over WhatsApp deal
European Union antitrust regulators fined Facebook €110 million on Thursday (18 May) for giving misleading information during a vetting of its deal to acquire messaging service WhatsApp in 2014.
New energy labels on household appliances could save hundreds on energy bills
An agreement on draft legislation of energy labels for household appliances was reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the Ministers on Tuesday.
Lawmakers warn EU pharma industry about drug pricing
Pressure is mounting on pharmaceutical companies to reconsider the way they do business by refocusing their efforts on meeting patient needs and health outcomes rather than their own profits.
Commission pushes vote on acrylamide safety into 2017
A vote on the European Commission’s draft regulation on acrylamide, a contaminant formed in foods when cooked at high temperatures, will take place next year, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.
EU drugs agency to unveil results on ‘early medicines’ project this week
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will this week publish the much-awaited results of a pilot project on the early marketing authorisation of drugs, EURACTIV has learnt.
EU health ministers confront crisis in affordability of medicines
EU health ministers took reluctant steps last Friday (17 June) to address the rising price of medicines.
New medical devices rules should avoid ‘unnecessary’ red tape, industry says
The implementation of new rules on medical devices should avoid extra burdens and unnecessary bureaucracy, health industry officials have told EURACTIV.com.
Member states swipe left: Tinder has (court) date in EU countries
Consumer organisations in three EU countries lodged complaints against US-based dating app Tinder today (3 March) for its restrictive user contracts.
Commission changes TTIP position on cosmetics
The European Commission has made changes to the latest version of its position on cosmetics in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations with the United States.