About: consumers

EU bets on research to put Farm to Fork ambition into action

Stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers are seeking to find the right place for innovation in the EU's new flagship food policy with a view to empower consumers to make the best choices for themselves and the planet.

Amazon’s ‘business model poses serious problems’, says French socialist MP

In an opinion piece published on France Info last week, 120 politicians and trade union leaders called for "stopping Amazon's expansion". In an interview with EURACTIV France, parliament member Dominique Potier discussed the need to rethink society's approach to consumption.

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).

Plant-based naming and labelling: How draft regulation fits into the Farm to Fork strategy

The plant-based food market is booming in Europe and predicted to grow further in the coming years. The market is expected to increase to 2.4bn euros in 2025, from 1.5bn euros in 2018. In the EU, terms like “almond milk”...

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.

RAPEX, the safety guarantee for European products

The rapid alert system removed more than 2,000 dangerous products from the European market in 2018. However, much remains to be done about security, notably with regards to China. EURACTIV France reports.

European Parliament wants to stop rigged online reviews

MEPs have updated consumer protection rules, bringing greater transparency in how online offers are ranked and, particularly, in reviews left by customers about products. EURACTIV France reports.

The digital farmers’ market

Farmers being in direct contact with the consumers and setting their prices independently, without having to submit to the wholesale market dictate - sounds like going back to the roots of agricultural markets. Behind this, however, is a model with a genuinely promising future. EURACTIV.de reports.

Consumers to be collateral damage of EU-US trade dispute

Harley-Davidson announced on Monday (25 June) it would move some production out of the US to avoid EU tariffs and it might not be the last to do so. That has prompted European consumers’ organisations and importers to warn of the negative impact on consumers.

Does EU gas policymaking take customers’ interest into account?

Ahead of a reform of the EU rules to cover offshore gas pipelines, in its latest attempt to regulate Russia’s planned Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Danila Bochkarev offered his comments.

It’s time to acknowledge rising consumer demand for renewable energy

Across Europe, consumers are choosing renewable electricity and are doing so on a large scale. It’s time to recognise this demand for renewable energy by reporting on national consumption, and not only production, of renewables, writes Jared Braslawsky.

UK consumers begin to feel post-Brexit pinch

From computers and cars to carpets and food, Britain's decision to leave the EU is beginning to hit consumers in the pocket, having already spread uncertainty through the property market.

Brexit shockwaves hit UK consumers, wages and construction

Shockwaves from Britain's vote to leave the European Union are reverberating through the economy with surveys published on Thursday (28 July) showing a sharp dive in consumer confidence and a slowdown in the construction sector.

Climate Commissioner: Age of traditional energy consumers ‘almost over’

EXCLUSIVE / The age of traditional energy consumers is almost over, Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will say today (13 July), before outlining plans for Europeans to take control of consumption and production.

Malmström concerned about public perception of TTIP

Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has admitted she is worried about the increasingly negative attitude in the EU towards the trade talks with the United States.

Food industry encouraged to target ‘Me’ generation

Today's consumers are highly specific about what they eat, requiring the food industry to stay innovative. EURACTIV reports from Milan.

ECB interest rate cut bolsters spending in Germany

After an ECB resolution to push interest rates to all-time lows, the inclination to save is dwindling among consumers, a trend apparent among Germans, who are spending more than they have in seven years. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German consumers spend less than their EU neighbours

The cost of goods and services for private consumption are slightly higher in Germany than the EU average. But in Germany, consumers live more cheaply than those in most neighbouring states. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European children exposed to less food advertising on TV

According to new research, European children are exposed to less food marketing on TV today than ten years ago.

MEPs reject Commission proposal on origin labelling of meat

The European Parliament endorsed on Thursday (6 February) a motion which rejects the new rules on origin labelling of meat that were tabled by the European Commission following last year's 'horsegate' scandal.