EP Plenary session - A stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition: Boosting EU oversight in e-commerce and imports

Press conference on Green Claims Directive

EP Plenary session - Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the digital future of Europe: digital single market and use of artificial intelligence (AI) for European consumers. Opening statements by Nicola BEER (Renew, DE) ITRE; Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL) TRAN; Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) CULT; Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE) JURI; Annalisa TARDINO (ID, IT) LIBE and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery

Digital future of Europe: opening statements by Nicola BEER (Renew, DE), Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), Annalisa TARDINO (ID) and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the digital future of Europe: digital single market and use of artificial intelligence (AI) for European consumers (MEPs debate part 1/2).

Digital future of Europe: digital single market and use of AI for European consumers. MEPs debate (Part 1/2)

Electronics are the fastest growing source of waste in the EU. In 2017, more than 3.5 million tonnes were collected and only 40 % were recycled. In addition to producing less waste, repairing more devices would help us use fewer resources, emit less greenhouse gases and consume less energy. However, according to a Eurobarometer survey, less than one third of consumers say they have repaired a product in the last six months. Options to repair a phone or washing machine can be limited. Sometimes, repairing is costly, it is difficult to find a repair shop, spare parts are lacking or the components are irreplaceable. What are the current measures encouraging consumers to repair their belongings? What can the EU develop to increase the reparability of electronics? ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Reparability: longer-lasting electronics

Members of the EP Committee on Fisheries (PECH) vote on a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system in the European Parlimament in Brussels. Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (Renew, ES), rapporteur, makes a statement after the final vote in the PECH Committee.

Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system: final vote and statement by Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (Renew, ES), rapporteur and extracts from the PECH meeting

The EU energy label is key to boosting the energy efficiency of everyday electric appliances like lighting, heating, fridges, freezers, televisions and many more products. A rescaled energy label will be introduced gradually from 1 March 2021 to have a simpler classification using only letters from A to G. The first set of new energy labels will include fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and televisions. This stockshot provides illustration images of the old and new generation of labels in home and commercial settings, as well as an interview. For information and education purpose only. No commercial use allowed.

Infoclip: Energy labelling

Members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament, participate in a meeting, in Brussels, on "A Farm to Fork Strategy" for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system. Statements of co-rapporteurs: Herbert DORFMANN (EPP, IT) and Anja HAZEKAMP (GUE/NGL, NL)

A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system: extracts from the meeting

During the remote plenary session (23-26/11/2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate and vote on ways to boost sustainability by granting EU consumers a “right to repair” and by tackling practices that intentionally shorten the lifetime of products. The results of the vote are: 696 in favour, 34 against, 207 abstentions. Illustration shots of collect for recycling, a repair station and sales point of recycled products in Munich, Germany.

Right to repair: extracts from the debate (23/11), from the vote on the report David CORMAND (Greens/EFA,FR), rapporteur, and - illustration shots

The 'Hall 2' in Munich (Germany) offers used goods at reasonable prices. The objects come from the Munich recycling yards. This infoclip illustrates the repairing, selling and reuse of computers and other modern and technological equipment by ConJob, a Recycling association in Munich and views of the second-hand department store of the city of Munich.

Infoclip: The right to repair

Representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers: Opening statements by Geoffroy DIDIER (EPP,FR), rapporteur and by Kateřina KONEČNÁ (GUE/NGL,CZ), IMCO and by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers: opening statements by Geoffroy DIDIER (EPP, FR), rapporteur and by Kateřina KONEČNÁ (GUE/NGL, CZ), IMCO and by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

During the remote plenary session (23-26/11/2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on new rules that will allow groups of consumers, harmed by illegal practices, to defend their rights collectively and seek compensation. Member states will need to put in place systems for representative action that guarantee consumers are well protected against mass harm, while ensuring appropriate safeguards from abusive lawsuits.

Representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers: extracts from the opening statements

It is increasingly recognised that the internet, in spite of all its benefits to society, can also be correlated with significant harms to individuals and society. Some of these harms have been studied extensively, particularly harms to privacy, harms associated with security and cybercrime, and harms resulting from digital divides. This video presents less studied but equally important harms: harms associated with internet use that concern the health, well-being a functioning of individuals, and the impact on social structures and institutions. It also lists some concrete policy options to be considered by the EU Institutions and Member States, to mitigate negative effects of the internet for European citizens. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Potentially negative effects of internet use

Clothing manufacture and consumption have a huge negative impact on both the environment and people. Sustainability is not only about the environment, but is also an economic and social indicator, and the clothing industry is a good example illustrating their interconnections. Are technological innovations alone enough to 'tailor' a green and fair future for fashion? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - What if fashion were good for the planet?

Insects, while commonly consumed elsewhere in the world, have long been off the menu in Europe, but they could soon be creeping their way onto our plates. Entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, is now gaining serious interest. Is it set to take Europe by swarm? Insects are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet and over 1 000 different species are regularly eaten in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Nutritionally dense and versatile, insects are already available for human consumption in some EU Member States, either sold whole or in processed products. With the EU committed to transitioning to a more sustainable and resilient food system as part of the European Green Deal and in light of the Covid‑19 pandemic, insects could offer a greener alternative component of future animal protein production. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - What if insects were on the menu in Europe?

Food origin, food cost, food safety, taste, nutritional content and ethics and beliefs are among the most important factors for Europeans when buying food. Food and nutrition habits of European citizens may vary from a Member State to the other. Discover more in this video. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Most important factors when buying food

Online shopping has been booming in recent years. The opportunities that e-commerce affords in terms of convenience and efficiency, together with its popularity among younger generations help to boost its prospects. While online sales already hit a record high in 2019, we can guess that they will probably be even higher in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis. On the other hand, e-commerce is also facing a host of challenges, like pollution, and working conditions, among others. The European Commission strongly supports the EU's digital transformation placing it as one of its six priorities for 2019-2024. By empowering businesses to grow and innovate and by supporting the use of new technologies, the EU could become a challenger to United States and Chinese market dominance. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - The rise of e-commerce: what is the EU doing?

This Infoclip illustrates the reopening of cafes and restaurants with security distancing in France. Views customers at terraces in Strasbourg and staff cleaning restaurant and delivering take away food

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown: Reopening of cafes and restaurants with security distancing

During the plenary session (10-13 February 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (10/01) and vote on ensuring consumer protection, and free movement of goods and services. Statements by Petra DE SUTTER (Greens/EFA, BE), Chair of the IMCO Committee, Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Pablo ARIAS ECHEVERRÍA (EPP, ES), Maria Manuel LEITÃO MARQUES (S&D, PT) and Dita CHARANZOVÁ (RE, CZ). The resolution is approved during the vote on Wednesday.

Automated decision-making processes - Ensuring consumer protection, and free movement of goods and services: extracts from the debate (10/02) and extracts from the vote

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protrotection (IMCO) vote on the report Petra DE SUTTER (Greens/EFA, BE) concerning the automated decision-making processes; Ensuring consumer protection, and free movement of goods and services, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Automated decision-making processes; Ensuring consumer protection, and free movement of goods and services: extracts from the vote on the report Petra DE SUTTER (Greens/EFA, BE)

93 Ergebnisse