About: consumer goods
Chocolate firms still have long way to go to have sustainable policies
Chocolate companies still have “a huge amount of work to do” in implementing truly sustainable policies, with some doing much better than others, the Washington-based NGO Mighty Earth concluded in a consumer guide ranking chocolate producers, published a few days ahead of Easter.
UK imports and exports will suffer from Brexit isolation
The United Kingdom is a net importer of goods, both from the EU and the rest of the world. While post-Brexit Britain will remain an important export market for the EU-27, its isolation in Europe and loss of preferential access to the bloc’s trading partners could have dramatic consequences.
The slippery slope of consumer goods regulation
Over the past few years, a series of restrictions on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) have been imposed across the world, including in several European countries.
The battle for EU consumer rights
The EU's new Consumer Rights Directive is designed to drag consumer rights legislation into the 21st Century by creating legal certainty for businesses and better protecting online shoppers in particular. But EU policymakers are currently at loggerheads over the scope of the draft law.
Food products: ‘Lower quality’ in Eastern EU?
Major food and drink multinationals are packing variable quality products to be shipped to different European countries under the same name, alleges a survey conducted by the Slovak Association of Consumers. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
Online sales divides MEPs ahead of consumer rights vote
Consumer groups have warned of missed opportunities in the EU's draft Consumer Rights Directive ahead of a crucial vote on the legislation in the European Parliament next week (1 February), which sees MEPs split over its direction.
EU to probe Internet, meat markets
Following a survey of 50 key markets for consumer goods and services, the European Commission has discovered that EU citizens have the least trust in meat and Internet service provision.
More dangerous goods removed from EU shelves
Record numbers of dangerous goods were removed from EU shelves last year, Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli said yesterday (15 April), presenting the European Commission's annual report on product safety in Brussels. But consumer organisations said far too many dangerous products were slipping through the net and onto the market place.
Nanotech claims ‘dropped’ for fear of consumer recoil
Finding reliable information about products on the European market which currently contain nanomaterials is becoming increasingly difficult, according to high-level experts addressing a meeting of consumer groups from the EU and US.
Commission urged to raise iPod safety standards
Consumer groups have asked the Commission to "revise existing safety standards" to protect users of personal music players (PMPs), such as Apple's iPod, from the risk of hearing damage.
Businesses fear EU-US regulatory frenzy after election
EU consumer groups are calling for transatlantic product standards legislation to be better enforced. But business representatives warn that regulatory cooperation is "not always very good" for industry.
Business hails new EU consumer rights plan
Business representatives broadly supported a directive on consumer rights unveiled by Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva on Wednesday (8 September), hailing the proposals as 'good news'. But consumer groups are arguing that the text should go further.
EU moves to boost online shopping
The European Commission will present new legislation today (8 October) aimed at making it easier for consumers to shop on the Internet and on the high street alike. But the proposals received a lukewarm reception from consumer organisations for "falling short of expectations".
Commission says EU product safety ‘improving’
EU product safety standards are improving, according to Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, who presented the results of a Commission survey yesterday (17 April). But consumer organisations say much more can be done to improve the effectiveness of EU surveillance systems.
Commission seeks to ensure EU single market delivers for consumers
The Commission has announced a number of in-depth sectoral investigations to track "competition killers" depriving consumers of choice and best prices. The first to go under Commission scrutiny are the retail banking and insurance industries.
Kuneva goes online to raise toy safety awareness
Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva will today (5 December) take part in an online chat with European citizens to discuss product safety, with toys a particular concern for consumers ahead of the Christmas period.
Women targeted in new REACH campaign
A new guidebook targeted at women has been launched to promote consumers' rights under the EU's chemicals regulation REACH.
International co-operation ‘a priority’ in EU toy safety review
Increasing EU co-operation with the US and China on toy safety is a priority, Commissioner for Consumer Protection Meglena Kuneva announced yesterday (22 November), presenting plans to strengthen product safety across the Union.