Every year, on 15 March, we celebrate World Consumer Rights Day to raise awareness about consumer rights and protections around the world. The European Parliament plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumer rights across the European Union. With over 450 million consumers in the EU, ensuring fair treatment, transparency and safety in the marketplace is essential. Let’s find out how your consumer rights are protected in the EU.

World Consumer Rights Day

A propososal for a regulation adopted by the Commission on 19 December 2017 aims to strenghten controls by nationals market surveillance and customs authorities to ensure that products are safe and comply with the Union rules.

The legislation covers a large proportion of products marketed in the EU in more than 20 industrial sectors, including electro-technical products, machinery, radio/telecoms equipment, toys, medical devices, construction products and high speed rail systems.

The package consists of two regulations and a decision designed to remove barriers to the free movement of goods while improving consumer safety.

Goods package and safer products

EU rules on product safety are defined in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Under the directive a product is safe if it meets all statutory safety requirements under European or national law. If there are no regulations or EU standards referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union, the product's compliance is determined according to other reference documents such as other European standards, national or international standards, Commission recommendations, or codes of practice. The General Product Safety Directive applies to consumer products when there are no specific provisions with the same objective in the rules of EU Law governing the safety of the products concerned. That means it applies totally to products such as child care articles or certain COVID-19 related products, such as sanitising gels and certain type of face masks and only residually to products where sectorial legislation exists such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Businesses must: only place products which are safe on the market, inform consumers of any risks associated with the products they supply, make sure any dangerous products present on the market can be traced so they can be removed to avoid any risks to consumers. MEPs want more stringent EU rules to protect children Existing rules and market surveillance activities should be strengthened to ensure the safety of all toys sold on the EU market, including from non-EU countries and online.

In March 2023 MEPs, also endorsed the revised rules on product safety of non-food consumer products. The new regulation aligns the existing General Product Safety Directive with the latest developments in digitalisation and the surge in online shopping.

In this Plenary MEPs are set to vote on their position on a proposal to revamp EU legislation on toy safety. The update of the current directive aims to respond to the increase in online shopping and the use of digital technologies, among other challenges. The proposed regulation extends EU bans on harmful chemicals in toys to include endocrine disruptors and makes it easier for consumers to access safety information, for example via a QR code.

Consumer product safety

European measures for consumer protection are intended to protect the health and safety and economic and legal interests of European consumers, wherever they live, travel or shop in the EU.

EU provisions regulate both physical transactions and e-commerce, and contain rules of general applicability together with provisions targeting specific products, including medicines, genetically modified organisms, tobacco products, cosmetics, toys and explosives.

Consumer protection (2019-2020)

Press conference by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur for safety of toys

Press conference on Toys' safety

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee votes on an update to EU rules on the safety of toys to better protect children and tackle the new challenges brought about by e-commerce and new technologies such as AI. The proposed regulation introduces new bans on the most harmful chemicals such as endocrine disruptors and a digital product passport to facilitate safety checks

IMCO vote on Toy safety

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

EP Plenary session - Voting session

ENVI AGRI PETI joint hearing ' Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics '

EP Plenary session - General product safety

EP Plenary session - Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive

IMCO committee meeting. Votes on Goods package and on Safer products on the reports by Nicola DANTI and by Ivan STEFANEC.

Press conference on ' Glyphosate '

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Parliament and Council approved new rules for recycling and producing sustainable batteries and reducing packaging waste. MEPs voted on a series of proposals to limit food and textiles waste. MEPs with the Council on an extensive revamp of the Eco-Design Directive for products to last longer and be easier to repair, upgrade and recycle. They also reached a deal on new rules on the right to repair.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Consumer policies

Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur, holds a press conference after Parliament set its position on new rules to decrease the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU and protect children more robustly from toy-related risks. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur, on the safety of toys

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) vote on an update to EU rules on the safety of toys to better protect children and tackle the new challenges brought about by e-commerce and new technologies such as AI. The proposed regulation introduces new bans on the most harmful chemicals such as endocrine disruptors and a digital product passport to facilitate safety checks. Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur speaks after this vote.

Revised directive on the safety of toys: extracts from the vote and statement by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur

MEPs debate on a directive which improves product labelling and ban the use of misleading environmental claims. The new rules make product labelling clearer and more trustworthy by banning the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” without proof. The directive allows the use of sustainability labels that are based on official certification schemes or established by public authorities. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Biljana BORZAN (S&D, HR), Rapporteur.

Empowering consumers for the green transition: closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Biljana BORZAN (S&D, HR), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on a directive which improves product labelling and ban the use of misleading environmental claims. The new rules make product labelling clearer and more trustworthy by banning the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” without proof. The directive allows the use of sustainability labels that are based on official certification schemes or established by public authorities. MEPs debate

Empowering consumers for the green transition: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on a directive which improves product labelling and ban the use of misleading environmental claims. The new rules make product labelling clearer and more trustworthy by banning the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” without proof. The directive allows the use of sustainability labels that are based on official certification schemes or established by public authorities. Opening statements by Biljana BORZAN (S&D, HR), Rapporteur, Edina TÓTH (NI, HU), ENVI Committee and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Empowering consumers for the green transition: opening statements by Biljana BORZAN (S&D, HR), Rapporteur, Edina TÓTH (NI, HU), ENVI Committee and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Parliament discuss on a draft resolution calling for more funds for the EU school scheme for fruit, vegetables and milk and for the distribution of unprocessed, organic and local products. The draft text also urges for less bureaucracy, longer contracts for schools and easier procurement procedures as well as for member states to invest at least 10% of their yearly budget allocated to the school scheme in nutrition education. Opening statements by Carmen AVRAM (S&D, RO) and Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

School's scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products: opening statements by Carmen AVRAM (S&D, RO) and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

MEPs from the ENVI (Environment, Public Health and Food Safety) Committee vote on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The European Parliament calls for binding EU legislation to guarantee that fashion is not produced at the cost of environmental destruction and human lives. Requirements should be set that prevent unsold clothes from being shredded or sent to landfill just because they are no longer in fashion or the warehouse is full. Only textiles that meet a minimum standard of sustainability requirements should be imported into the EU or produced within the EU. Extracts from the vote in committee and statement by Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE), Rapporteur.

Vote on EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles: extracts from the vote and statement by Delara BURKHARDT (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Closing statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

General Product Safety Regulation: closing statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online.

General Product Safety Regulation: MEPs debate

MEPs debate and vote on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Extracts from the debate, the vote and statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ).

General Product Safety Regulation: extracts from the debate, from the vote and statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ)

MEPs debate on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. Opening statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur. Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy and by René REPASI (S&D, DE) JURI Committee.

General Product Safety Regulation: opening statement by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), Rapporteur, Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and by René REPASI (S&D, DE)

MEPs, Council and Commission meet to try to reach a deal on the regulation for deforestation-free products. The new law would make it obligatory for companies to verify (so-called “due diligence”) that goods sold in the EU have not been produced on deforested land anywhere in the world. This would guarantee to consumers that the products they buy do not contribute to deforestation and reduce the EU’s contribution to climate change and biodiversity loss

Trilogue on Deforestation (regulation for deforestation-free products)

The report debated and voted on by MEPs addresses key points for the safety of toys in the EU’s market. It tackles issues such as the need to protect children from dangerous chemicals, the challenges posed by new technologies embedded in toys, and measures to strengthen market surveillance. Closing statement by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), rapporteur and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life.

Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive: closing statement by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), rapporteur and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

The report by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), debated and voted on by MEPs addresses key points for the safety of toys in the EU’s market. It tackles issues such as the need to protect children from dangerous chemicals, the challenges posed by new technologies embedded in toys, and measures to strengthen market surveillance. Opening statement by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), rapporteur, and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life.

Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive: opening statement by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), rapporteur, and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

The debate focuses on key points for the safety of toys in the EU’s market. It tackles issues such as the need to protect children from dangerous chemicals, the challenges posed by new technologies embedded in toys, and measures to strengthen market surveillance.

Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive: MEPs debate

The EP rapporteur on Toy safety, Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), is proposing measures to ensure that toys sold on the EU market, including from third countries and online, are safe. For instance, it addresses how to tackle chemicals contained in toys and labelling issues, the challenges posed by the new technologies embedded in toys, the need to strengthen market surveillance and to enhance the involvement of online platforms.

Toy safety - Statement by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT), rapporteur

Toys contribute to child development and play is an essential part of growing up. However, toys have to be safe for children to play with. Ensuring that toys marketed in the EU do not put children at risk is a priority. EU legislation aims to ensure that toys meet safety requirements that are amongst the strictest in the world, especially in relation to the use of chemicals in toys. This Infoclip illustrates how toys are tested to check their safety. It shows how a specialised company performs tension test, impact and fire test to toys, so that they are suitable and safe for children. It also shows toys in a toy store.

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