IMCO Public Hearing Online safety of vulnerable consumers (minors)

EP Plenary session - Question Time to Commission on Bringing the EU Agriculture into the 21st century, smart solutions to reduce pesticide use and strengthening consumer protection

Our lives are dominated by online and digital exchanges. Be they for business or pleasure, buying or selling, keeping informed or simply communicating, digital markets and services have penetrated every corner of our lives. But who is keeping an eye on the platforms and companies that make it all possible? Is our personal data safe? How can better regulation be enforced? These are just some of the questions that two key pieces of legislation will answer: The Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act.

The digital sphere: ‘We are taking back control’

The EU has some of the highest toy safety standards in the world, but MEPs are concerned that not all toys sold in the EU come up to scratch. With more and more toys bought online from outside the bloc, MEPs say the 2009 rules need updating.

Parliament calls for stricter toy safety rules

Parliament will debate relations with Russia and the military threat against Ukraine. MEPs will vote on proposals to put the EU at the centre of the fight against cancer. They will also discuss offshore renewable energy, protecting workers from harmful chemicals and safer toys for children.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Russia, the fight against cancer and renewable energy

Parliament is due to elect its new president at the first plenary sitting of 2022. Meanwhile, MEPs will discuss France’s priorities for the EU’s rotating presidency with President Macron. Parliament is set to vote on better regulation to ensure animals are transported more humanely. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Parliament president, French EU Presidency and animal transport

For more than four years, Europeans travelling in the EU have been able to "roam like at home", making calls from abroad at no extra cost. Whether visiting other countries for work or for pleasure, making calls, sending text messages and using data abroad cost the same as in your country. MEPs want to extend and update the legislation, making it fit for the coming decade.

Mobile communications: keep on roaming!

Cyberattacks are on the rise. At best they are an inconvenience. At worst they put peoples’ lives and livelihoods at risk. Parliament is calling for a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect citizens from cybercriminals.

A robust EU cybersecurity strategy

Everyone enjoys a refreshing summer swim. The European Parliament believes in keeping Europe's bathing waters clean. This is why the water quality of swimming sites is tested regularly so everyone knows the safest bathing sites in Europe. Enjoy the waves!

Swimming safely in European waters

Parliament approved measures allowing consumers to launch collective action in the face of injustice and called for steps to make it easier to repair products. MEPs pressed for action to fight a rising trend of homelessness in the EU. Parliament called for the EU’s updated industrial strategy to take into account the impact of Covid-19 and demanded access to medicine be made easier across the bloc.

Plenary highlights: Consumer rights, the industrial strategy and fighting homelessness

Parliament will vote on legislation allowing EU consumers to make collective action lawsuits. MEPs will also call on the Commission to come up with a revised strategy for the future of European industry and vote for the better protection of journalists and for public media independence. All that and more coming up in plenary.

Coming up in plenary: Collective action, justice for the digital age and the right to repair

Parliament will outline its demands for the better regulation of companies offering goods and services online and present its vision for an EU farm policy, promoting green, sustainable and fair farming. Parliamentary leaders will select the winner of the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. All that and more coming up in plenary.

Coming up in plenary: Rules for online platforms, the future of farming and the Sakharov Prize

As we increasingly live our lives online, Parliament says we need new rules for digital service providers. From online shopping to content shared on social media, MEPs are being guided by a simple principle: If it’s illegal offline, it should be illegal online.

Illegal offline? It should be illegal online too

As artificial intelligence becomes part of our everyday lives, it is increasingly necessary to lay down rules to regulate it. The Parliament wants a framework which allows people to reap the benefits of AI, while minimising the risks.

Artificial intelligence: keeping humans at its heart

European consumers who have suffered the same infringement of their rights, will soon be able to sue a company as a group, irrespective of where they live. Virtually impossible  now, this new legislation will make it easier to protect consumers, while avoiding abusive lawsuits.

Better protection for European consumers

"The European Single Market ensures that goods, services and people can move freely within the EU. It was created to ensure that EU consumers have access to a wider choice of goods and services at competitive prices.

The European Single Market

When you shop online in the EU, you are protected by a range of consumer rights and can buy from any EU country.

5 rights when buying online

Parliament reiterated its call for barrier-free access to plant breeding material. Members want to ensure that farmers across the EU can innovate in order to find solutions to the climate crisis and new plant diseases. Rich multinationals should not be allowed to patent natural life, creating monopolies and driving up food prices.

No patents on naturally-obtained plants and seeds

Europeans will now benefit from cheaper international mobile phone calls, while faster 5G networks begin to be rolled out next year.

Cheaper international calls for European consumers

What has the European Parliament achieved in five years? From measures to combat climate change to making EU citizens’ lives safer, the Parliament has passed legislation on all sorts of subjects, from the environment to data protection to improving work-life balance. Here’s a look back at five major achievements during this legislature.

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