IMCO Public Hearing Online safety of vulnerable consumers (minors)

Have you ever asked yourself: Why the EU? What’s it for? Why does it matter?   
 
In an increasingly fractious world, the EU is a powerful bloc representing 450 million Europeans, making sure your voice is heard on the world stage. 

What it means to be part of the EU can be summed up in a few words – we are stronger together!    
 
What’s the point of the EU? Find out in our short explainer!

The importance of the EU

&lt;p>Once elected, Members of the European Parliament have an important job to do. They are the eyes, ears and voices of Europeans in the Parliament. You vote for them, then they vote for you! Sitting in parliamentary groups, a bit like parties in national parliaments, MEPs listen to people’s concerns, debate, consult with interested parties and vote on laws. Find out more about the role of MEPs!&lt;/p>

The role of Members of the European Parliament

The rule of law is a keystone of democracy and a core EU value.    
   
MEPs have consistently warned it is under threat in some member states, amid concerns corruption and compromised judicial systems could lead to the misuse of EU funds.    
   
The European Parliament has created a tool to protect the EU’s money and values.    
   
The rule of law conditionality mechanism lets the EU suspend payments that may be spent in ways that flout democratic standards and fundamental rights.   
   
Find out more in our short explainer video.

The rule of law conditionality mechanism decrypted

The European Parliament has acted to protect and promote the EU's regional crafts and industries.   
   
The Geographical Indications system already provides a seal of quality for some of the EU’s best-known food and drink products.    
   
Now, it will be extended to industries like textiles, jewellery, glass, porcelain and cutlery.   
   
The new framework will benefit smaller businesses, boost jobs and tourism and help fight counterfeiting.

Geographical Indications: traditional crafts get EU quality seal

The European Parliament has given the green light to a new framework to regulate the volatile world of crypto-currency.   
    
MEPs approved a ground-breaking set of rules around crypto-assets, which aim to combat money laundering and market manipulation.  
 
The EU wants to detect and stop illicit flows of crypto-assets, while making it safer for people to hold and trade them.

Protecting consumers with new rules on crypto-assets

The European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution, is the beating heart of European democracy! 

It represents the interests of EU citizens.  

MEPs debate, amend and pass laws which have a direct impact on the lives of some 450 million Europeans.  

Find out more about how the European Parliament works!

How the European Parliament works

From messaging apps to online marketplaces, digital services are central to our daily lives.  

But the online world is also home to fake news, harmful content and dubious business practices and has become dominated by big tech companies.  

The European Parliament has passed new rules to regulate them and ensure a fairer and safer environment for businesses and consumers. 

Find out more about the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act in our short Q&A.

The Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts decrypted

As a European Union citizen, you are free to live, work and travel across 27 EU countries. The EU supports the economy and protects your rights, ensuring fairer workplaces, safer products and a clean environment.   
   
The EU promotes values like equality, peace and democracy at home and abroad.    
   
Find out more about the benefits the EU brings.

The benefits of the European Union

From smartphones to smart cities, connected objects are generating ever more data. The European Parliament wants to release its potential.  

 
Data is key to innovation in sectors from technology to health, transport to farming. MEPs are concerned too much of it remains untapped or in the hands of tech giants. They want new rules to help smaller companies and public bodies deliver better products and services. The Data Act will set a framework for the economy of tomorrow.

What does the new EU Data Act bring to companies, innovators and Europeans?

The single market turns 30 in 2023. It has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans, eliminating old barriers to allow more than 460 million people and business to move, communicate and trade freely across 31 countries.

The European Parliament continues to work to adapt the single market further to respond to current challenges and make full use of its potential.

30 years of the European single market

One of the EU's greatest successes is the creation of a common economic market and 2023 marks 30 years since its birth. The European Single Market has ensured economic unity across Europe and made the free movement of goods, people, services and capital possible. Let’s dive back into the history of one of the pillars of the EU as we know it.

Timeline: 30 years of the European Single Market

MEPs said ending ransomware attacks is a top priority as they signed off on tough new cybersecurity rules.       

EU citizens, businesses and governments face an increasing threat from hackers and cybercriminals. The European Parliament has approved a harmonised system under the EU’s NIS2 directive, to protect our privacy and finances and ensure a safer online environment.

Tackling the hackers: European Parliament approves cybercrime measures

Amid skyrocketing energy prices, the European Parliament backed moves to protect European consumers and businesses from the cost of electricity and gas bills. 

MEPs welcomed the Commission’s proposals to reduce energy demand and slash the cost of electricity while redistributing the energy sector’s surplus revenues to customers.

They asked for more action to shield the most vulnerable and SMEs from rising energy prices.

Energy prices: MEPs back help for European consumers and businesses

Parliament has voted to put an end to dozens of different device chargers and make the USB-C the market standard.  
  
The boom in different charger types in recent years is wasteful, damaging to the environment and costly.  
  
New rules on device chargers for phones, tablets, laptops, e-readers and more, mean from Autumn 2024 manufacturers will have to stick to one standard charger type.  
  
Let’s take a look at how things were before and what will change.

Electronic devices: Parliament adopts the USB-C charger as standard

A single USB-C charging solution, support for Ukrainian refugees in the EU and moves to tackle high energy prices are on the agenda as Parliament returns to Strasbourg. 
  
MEPs are due to vote on a one-size-fits-all charging system for devices like mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras, as the EU moves to reduce e-waste and boost sustainability. Parliament is set to sign off on fast-tracked funds to help both Ukrainian refugees and the European regions that are hosting them. 
 
Members will vote on a new framework to deal with cross-border health threats in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are also set to call for a solidarity-based EU response to high energy prices.

Common charger, energy prices and Ukraine - coming up in Strasbourg

Parliament debated the social and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine as the EU prepares to begin phasing out imports of Russian crude oil. Members welcomed the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and said revisions of EU treaties would be needed to fully implement them. Also debated were proposals for EU electoral reform and World Press Freedom Day. Meanwhile, Parliament set out its position on reducing waste by introducing a single charger for the EU market.

Plenary highlights: Russian oil, Future of Europe and press freedom

77% of people in the EU would rather repair their broken household goods than replace them. Parliament is pushing for the “right to repair” in the EU, which would encourage manufacturers to make it easier for consumers to get appliances repaired rather than buying new ones.

Right to repair: a new life for consumer goods

Parliament will discuss the urgent situation in Ukraine, more than a month after Russia launched its illegal, unprovoked invasion. MEPs will vote on an update to the trans-European energy networks regulation, which will pave the way towards modern, independent, green energy infrastructure. Also on the agenda are women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan, the ’right to repair’ consumer goods and regulating the use of ‘big data’. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

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